Keto flu is caused by an electrolyte imbalance. It may be intensified by sugar detox or withdrawal, but the symptoms themselves are caused by messed up electrolytes. You can get “keto flu” on day 1 or day 101, it is not just for beginners. The key is keep the electrolytes balanced from day one, account for exercise, high temperatures and illness….anything that can dehydrate you or throw you off kilter.
Dehydration – A deficiency of water in the body
- Outside of Keto, dehydration is usually caused by vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating and medical conditions.
- As dehydration occurs you will feel thirsty, have dry mouth and might sweat and urinate less. You may also notice fluctuations in your blood pressure, up or down.
- As it worsens, blood pressure can fall or rise, dizziness or fainting can occur
- When it becomes severe, organs can shut down, you can go into shock and you can slip into a coma.
Electrolyte Imbalance – A deficiency or excess of one or more electrolytes in the body
Electrolytes include Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, and Calcium
This can occur even when FULLY hydrated
Common symptoms of an electrolyte disorder include:
- Excess water that causes a drop in electrolyte concentration may cause bloating and imbalance symptoms.
- Having insufficient electrolytes in your system will cause you to feel sick to your stomach. If you have been replacing fluids by drinking a lot of water and begin to feel nauseous or start vomiting, stop drinking water and switch to a sports drink or use foods to replace electrolytes.
- Both dehydration and hyponatremia (low sodium) can cause headaches and fatigue. You may also feel weak, lethargic or confused, and be irritable or have trouble concentrating.
- If electrolyte levels become extremely low, severe medical consequences can result. These may include seizures, unconsciousness, coma or even death. If your efforts to restore electrolyte balance and hydration following exercise do not relieve your symptoms, or if they get worse, seek prompt medical attention. Intravenous fluids may be necessary to correct the balance.
- Carbs hold water, so by eliminating carbs we need a higher water intake. When we consume carbohydrates, our body converts them to glycogen, which is stored in our muscles and saved for energy. For each gram of glycogen that is stored, we gain roughly 2.7 grams of water. The higher water intake can in turn dilute the electrolytes in our body, requiring larger amounts throughout the day.
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