Is Ketosis Dangerous?
No, not at all. Many people confuse ketosis with ketoacidosis. However, they are not the same at all. In addition, your body fluctuates throughout the day and can be in and out of ketosis. With the ketogenic diet, the purpose is to achieve and maintain a state of ketosis, and that is not dangerous. I'm going to address the question "Is ketosis dangerous?" and explain some of the confusion between these terms.
Ketosis and Ketoacidosis
Despite the similarity in name, ketosis and ketoacidosis are two different things. However, because of the similarity in the name, it can be easy to confuse the two. The question "is ketosis dangerous?" is the result of such confusion.
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What is Ketosis?
Ketosis is a process that the body does every day, regardless of the number of carbs you eat. Your body processes different types of nutrients into the fuels that it needs. Proteins, fats, and carbs are all processed for use, although the ketogenic diet, a low carb, high fat diet, ramps up this process.
This process, ketosis, is a metabolic state where most of the body’s energy comes from ketone bodies in the blood. Ketone bodies are molecules that occur when your body burns fat as an energy source.
You can be in ketosis if you’re on a low-carbohydrate diet or fasting, or if you’ve consumed too much alcohol. If you are in ketosis, you have a higher than usual level of ketones in your blood or urine, but not high enough to cause acidosis.
Symptoms of Ketosis
- Bad Breath: Bad breath is a common side effect because of elevated ketone levels. The culprit is acetone. Sugar-free gum, or mints can solve the issue. It is not a permanent thing, and will go away.
- Weight Loss: Fast weight loss can occur during the first week.
- Increased Ketones in the Blood: Reduction in blood sugar levels and an increase in ketones
- Appetite Suppression: Many people report decreased hunger while following a ketogenic diet.
- Increased Focus and Energy: Eliminating carbs can help control and stabilize blood sugar levels. This may further increase focus and improve brain function.
- Short-Term Fatigue: Initially, you may suffer from tiredness and low energy. This will pass once your body becomes adapted to running on fat and ketones.
- Short-Term Decreases in Performance: Short-term decreases in performance can occur. However, they tend to improve again after the initial adaptation phase is over.
- Digestive Issues: You might experience digestive issues such as constipation when you first switch to a ketogenic diet.
- Insomnia: Many people report insomnia or waking up at night when they first reduce their carbs drastically. However, this usually improves in a matter of weeks.
What is Ketoacidosis?
Ketoacidosis refers to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and is a complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus, where an individual with uncontrolled diabetes is starving due to the lack of insulin. Insulin brings glucose into the cells and without it the body switches to ketones. The brain can function with the energy from glucose, fat, or ketones.
Ketoacidosis can be caused by not getting enough insulin, having a severe infection or other illness, becoming severely dehydrated, or some combination of these things.
Symptoms of ketoacidosis:
- Flushed, hot, dry skin.
- Blurred vision.
- Feeling thirsty and urinating a lot.
- Drowsiness or difficulty waking up. Young children may lack interest in their normal activities.
- Rapid, deep breathing.
- A strong, fruity breath odor.
- Loss of appetite, belly pain, and vomiting.
The symptoms are very different and make it easy to see why achieving and maintaining ketosis is not dangerous. And because the symptoms are so different it is easy to determine when you are in ketosis.
BONUS: Keto Recommendations
As an added bonus, here are some keto products to help you get started:
Dash Rapid Egg Cooker – This is the PERFECT appliance for picky eaters, large families, or those who have busy schedules. Hard-boiled eggs, soft boiled eggs, poached eggs, scrambled eggs, individual omelets, and all within minutes of the push start button – it couldn’t be easier!
Perfect Keto Chocolate Exogenous Ketones – Perfect Keto exogenous ketones get you in ketosis. Our beta-hydroxybutyrates (BHB) formula was designed for those on a ketogenic diet, or others who may struggle to get back into ketosis after eating carbs. Perfect Keto raises blood ketone levels, improving athletic endurance, mental performance, and energy levels.
Perfect Keto Ketone Testing Strips – Quick easy and reliable urinalysis testing for ketosis after you have had a keto snack or other keto products. Easy for on-the-go testing analysis after keto diet supplements or low carb food.
Recommended Reading
Keto Made Easy: 100+ Easy Keto Dishes Made Fast to Fit Your Life – Everything can be made keto! That’s the message that food bloggers Matt Gaedke and Megha Barot want to deliver with their new book, Keto Made Easy. No more missing out on classics or favorite dishes, no more added costs with exotic new ingredients, because in Keto Made Easy, Matt and Megha show you how to re-create non-keto recipes in easy, cost-effective, and delicious ways.
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