Keto Diet Headaches: What Causes and How To Get Rid of Them
While on the keto diet the human body suffers radical changes on many levels. These changes have the possibility to cause keto flu which is one of the most common symptoms of ketosis. Once you enter ketosis and your diet meal plan shows progress you should be happy because of the successful beginning of the keto diet, but on the other hand, you must be aware of keto flu symptoms to prevent unwanted complications.
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First of all, the keto flu symptoms are mild and not as dangerous as you might think. However, the keto flu causes damage to your mental and psychological views and stances about the principles of this diet. You may also experience a 'mental fog'. This is actually the most common symptom of keto flu.
During this phase of ketosis, some people experience different anomalies such as exhaustion, feelings of anxiety, mild stomach pain and weakness. The mental fog is probably the worst symptom because you feel unable to use your maximum brain capacity.
However, all of this is bearable because is not really affiliated with pain. Pain comes in the form of headache in some isolated cases. If you are being one of them, this article will help you get over it and get rapidly return to the right track.
THE FIRST STEPS IN KETO DIET AND MENTAL FOG
The entire process of ketosis is based on using fats as transformed fuel for maintaining the energy levels of our bodies. Normally, this process involves glucose and this is what you want to be terminated from this process and switched with fats. After the first couple of days and weeks following the keto diet, you will face how strong the keto diet is. Your body will slowly adapt to its new 'reality' and this transformation is where the keto flu might appear.
This happens because of a couple of reasons. First, your liver is not pre-programmed to produce ketones immediately. This is a process that takes time for adaptation. Once your liver starts converting fat into ketones you can say that your ketosis has begun. Ketosis earliest stages are shocking for the body. Your brain, for instance, is starving for energy. The reason behind this is the lack of glucose as well as ketones that are not produced at the required levels.
During your first great battle of the keto diet- your complete transformation from glucose to ketosis- you will experience mental fog manifested by dizziness, mild depression or anxiety, slight derealisation and other normal and natural causes of brain energy deficiency. Be aware that you must not worry and there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. This is your most important advice to handle this period- mental fog and keto flu are not dangerous. If you subconsciously put pressure on yourself and create a state of panic you will only boost the negative and unwanted effects of the flu.
Keto headaches also occur during this period. Understandably, this is also the result of interrupted/changed energy flow in the brain. The human brain is a very soft organ, in fact, and reacts in its own way according to each change implemented in our way of life.
Another reason for keto headaches during ketosis might be dehydration. You should know that the process of ketosis itself is not harmful to the body and this state does not cause headaches. However, this process causes the levels of electrolytes in the body to decrease. At the same time, all of those who follow a ketogenic diet must know that hydration (drinking water as the most important principle) is crucial and part of each meal plan.
If you follow one simple piece of advice you will know how to handle keto headaches. When you feel that your body excretes more electrolytes than usual, just switch to drinking more water. You can follow your state according to your meal plan. When there are meals with more salt included, naturally you will pee more. During these days you can feel slightly dehydrated and, if you carefully observe your well-being during the entire day, you may start having headaches. Just drink plenty of water- the results will take place immediately.
Those who are more experienced often debate about this simple rule to follow. Some say that drinking water in high amounts during the early stages of the ketogenic state is not good. These claims come from those who want to burn 10 pounds a week ASAP. Hold your horses! This is very hard to accomplish, especially if you are a beginner.
CAUSES OF KETO HEADACHE
If you are on a keto diet you must know that this is not an easy method to lose weight and keep healthy. What you do with keto is a radical change in how your entire body works. Losing weight might be your goal, but that is just a 'side effect' of this diet. According to this, please feel free to hold a larger amount of water weight during the early stages of ketosis. This will slightly decrease the amount of lost weight each day, but it keeps your well-being during ketosis.
Do not rush yourself to drink huge amounts of water during the day, use this simple hint instead- drink water more than regular but do not push yourself too much, if you see your urine goes orange then drink a glass or two more.
In addition, we will add the chemical disbalances during ketosis that affect the brain and stimulate headaches. The leading causes are sodium deficiency, sugar withdrawal, hypoglycemia, caffeine withdrawal, and not enough calories. Each of these causes is natural and compatible with the diet so there is nothing to be afraid of.