Headaches can be a common side effect of switching to a ketogenic diet. They can occur as a result of consuming fewer carbohydrates, especially sugar. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can also lead to headaches. Ketogenic headaches occur during the transition to ketosis.
Valerie Agyeman, RD, women's health dietitian and founder of Flourish Heights, explains that headaches can occur as a result of eating fewer carbohydrates, especially sugar. When you start the diet, your body starts to rely on ketones instead of glucose, which can cause your blood sugar levels to drop. This, in turn, can cause low blood sugar. This transition to ketosis can stress your brain, which could lead to mental fog and headaches.
Dr. Moreno recommends following a diet of whole foods and real ingredients, such as Whole30, Paleo or South Beach Diet. However, there is evidence that long-term low-carb and high-protein animal diets may be linked to higher rates of heart disease and cancer. Soon after, researchers began successfully treating some patients with the ketogenic diet and other carbohydrate-restrictive diets, such as the Atkins diet and the modified Atkins diet.
If you followed a relatively low-carb diet before going on a ketogenic diet and ate large amounts of green vegetables (or took a high-quality vegetable supplement), there is a chance that your symptoms will last very little or even not exist. You need some carbohydrates in your diet because carbohydrates in healthy foods provide the nutrients your body needs that are not found in proteins and fats. The ketogenic (keto) diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that causes weight loss and provides numerous health benefits. People with type 1 diabetes who follow low-carb diets have a significantly higher risk of hypoglycemia (episodes of low blood sugar levels).
The duration of these side effects depends on the person, their sensitivity to carbohydrates, how many carbohydrates they consumed, and the types of carbohydrates they ate before starting the diet. Low sodium levels in the body are one of the main reasons you may experience decreased energy levels and headaches while following a low-carb diet. Although this diet seems to be effective in losing weight, many people experience uncomfortable side effects when they first start the diet. But can the ketogenic diet help you control migraine headaches? Some experts believe that feeding the body and brain with more healthy fats and fewer carbohydrates could help reduce headaches and migraine headaches, while others are more cautious about recommending low-carb diets.
Keeping track of all the strict rules of the ketogenic diet can make your head spin, so it's no surprise that headaches are one of the side effects of this modern diet. Typically, the maximum amount of carbohydrates allowed on a ketogenic diet is 50 grams per day, but some ketogenic diet plans require 20 grams or less each day. Those who want to try a ketogenic diet should always talk to their doctor first, as a diet that is very low in carbohydrates may not be right for everyone. When you start the ketogenic diet and drastically lower your carbohydrate intake (to around 20 to 50 grams per day), your body goes through a process called ketosis within two to seven days. If you've gone from eating around the reference dietary intake (DRI) of around 130 grams (the minimum amount of carbohydrate recommended for adults), or 45 to 65 percent of your calories (which on a 2000 calorie diet equals 225 to 325 grams), to virtually no carbohydrates, you can expect some remarkable effects. In conclusion, it is important to note that while switching to a low-carb or ketogenic diet may cause some temporary side effects such as headaches or fatigue, these symptoms usually subside after a few days or weeks as your body adjusts to its new way of eating.
However, it is important to consult with your doctor before starting any new dietary regimen.
