Many diets can help people lose weight, but not all of these options are safe. The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that has become popular in recent years. While there may be some benefits to this diet for some individuals, it comes with its own set of risks and side effects. In this article, you will learn some risks associated with the keto diet so you can make an educated decision about whether or not you want to take on one of the most restrictive diets out there!

Keto Flu

 When your body is no longer taking in carbs, your body will switch to ketosis. This process takes time and can cause side effects like the "keto flu." The keto flu may include symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and constipation.

Some people may experience these side effects during the first few days of starting this diet due to a lack of electrolytes. To help reduce any discomfort you feel from the keto flu, drink plenty of water and consume an electrolyte supplement that contains magnesium or sodium.

Ketosis Can Be Harmful To Your Kidneys

Even though ketoacidosis is not something that typically happens to individuals following the diet plan, this type of acidity can still be harmful to your kidneys. If you have any pre-existing kidney conditions or chronic dehydration issues, it may cause further complications when attempting a ketogenic diet. It is always essential to consult with your physician before starting on a new dietary regimen so they can monitor you for adverse side effects.

Falling Short On Nutrients And Calories

The ketogenic lifestyle requires an abundance of fat for the body's cells and organs (specifically your brain) to receive the necessary nutrients to function correctly. When you are not eating a well-rounded, high carbohydrate diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, your body will be going through intense depletion during the first few weeks until it reaches ketosis. This can cause issues like fatigue, dizziness, fogginess, lightheadedness, and weakness in muscles.

Ketogenic Diet Can Affect Your Periods

Many women who begin following the keto lifestyle report changes in their menstrual cycle about three months into starting this dietary routine. These fluctuations may include early periods, missed periods, or irregular bleeding; if left untreated for too long, these symptoms could lead to infertility problems down the road. While there is no evidence that keto is unhealthy for women's bodies, it can still disrupt the menstrual cycle. This often occurs because of a lack of carbs that provide enough glucose energy to produce estrogen and progesterone.

Digestive Issues

The ketogenic diet has been well-known to cause digestive issues, which can lead to other problems.

As the body starts adapting to a ketogenic lifestyle and goes into ketosis, it is common to experience side effects such as constipation or stomach pain. When no carbs are coming in from this diet plan, your blood sugar levels will drop significantly. When you lose too much weight due to not eating carbohydrates, it causes an imbalance in your fat intake and water loss that draws out sodium (salt) and fluids like potassium and magnesium. These nutrients are essential for maintaining a healthy pH balance within our body's cells. 

If you do not make up for these losses through supplementation, DKA may occur. Many people also report issues with acid reflux after starting the ketogenic diet; this is because your body goes into ketosis (which means that it has high concentrations of mass amounts of fat in cells), which causes an increase in acidic compounds within our bodies. This can cause heartburn or indigestion and constipation due to dehydration; if left untreated for too long, these side effects can lead to more severe health problems like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

Skipping Meals Can Slow Your Metabolism

Since no carbs are coming in from this diet plan, your blood sugar levels will drop significantly. If you go too long without eating, your metabolism can slow down, making it harder for your body's cells and organs (specifically your brain) to receive the nutrients required to function correctly. It is crucial not only when following the ketogenic diet but also when you are fasting or severely restricting calories to make sure that carbs do not fall under 50 grams per day to avoid these side effects.

Ketogenic Diets May Be Harmful To Your Heart Health

Recent research studies have shown that a low carbohydrate intake over an extended period may lead to cardiovascular problems like heart, stroke, type-two diabetes, and other related health issues. This is because ketogenic diets are high in saturated fats that can increase your levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, which increases the risk of developing these cardiovascular problems. 

Conclusion

When doing the ketogenic diet, knowing what risks are associated with this lifestyle plan is essential. All of these potential side effects can lead to serious health problems if left untreated for too long. Furthermore, skipping meals may also slow down your metabolism and cause cardiovascular-related complications like heart disease or strokes in some cases. The ketogenic diet has many benefits that can improve someone's quality of life; however, it is imperative to be aware of all the potential risks associated with this lifestyle plan.