Dangers of following a low-carb diet
Due to its immense popularity, you will easily find many people around you following the low-carb diet. A typical low-carb diet limits the daily intake of carbohydrates between 60 to 130 grams. While the keto diet limits the carb consumption to not more than 30 grams per day.
Eating this way changes our bodies dramatically, especially for those who are habitual of eating plenty of carbs. And not all of these changes are positive. When carbohydrates are restricted, it can stress out the body as it has to find another way to fuel itself.
Other side effects include nausea and headache, which is commonly called keto flu. Not only this, a low-carb diet can have many other side effects, five of them are list
Low-blood sugar
If you are on insulin or take some other medicine to control your blood sugar level, it is important to get it reviewed by your doctor, especially if you are on a low carb diet. This is because when your carbohydrate intake is significantly reduced, the dosage of your medicine needs to be changed to prevent low blood sugar (hypos) from occurring. Thus, it is important to consult your doctor before starting a low-carb diet, especially if you have any existing medical condition.
You become nutrient deficient
Though many people who follow a low-carb diet usually find themselves feeling healthier, but it is not always the case. A low-carb diet can result in nutrient deficiencies, though this is less likely to happen.
Low-carb flu
People who start following a very low carb diet after they have been used to eating a lot of carbs can suffer from low-carb flu. Low-carb flu includes fatigue, brain fog and headaches. The condition can be minimised by ensuring that you keep yourself hydrated and have enough salt. This is because low-carb flu usually is the result of the body passing out fluids and salts from the body during the initial weeks of the diet. One can gradually decrease the carbohydrate intake instead of cutting all carbs at once.
Cramps
Your body loses essential salts including potassium, magnesium or sodium when you are on a low-carb diet. If you are getting cramps, ensure that you are consuming an adequate amount of salt. Some good sources of potassium include salmon, eggs, almonds, mushrooms and yoghurt.
Constipation
A low-carb diet can lead to constipation initially. But this side effect will go after your gut gets used to the change. You can try consuming psyllium husk if your constipation is making you too uncomfortable.
Eating this way changes our bodies dramatically, especially for those who are habitual of eating plenty of carbs. And not all of these changes are positive. When carbohydrates are restricted, it can stress out the body as it has to find another way to fuel itself.
Other side effects include nausea and headache, which is commonly called keto flu. Not only this, a low-carb diet can have many other side effects, five of them are list
Low-blood sugar
If you are on insulin or take some other medicine to control your blood sugar level, it is important to get it reviewed by your doctor, especially if you are on a low carb diet. This is because when your carbohydrate intake is significantly reduced, the dosage of your medicine needs to be changed to prevent low blood sugar (hypos) from occurring. Thus, it is important to consult your doctor before starting a low-carb diet, especially if you have any existing medical condition.
You become nutrient deficient
Though many people who follow a low-carb diet usually find themselves feeling healthier, but it is not always the case. A low-carb diet can result in nutrient deficiencies, though this is less likely to happen.
Low-carb flu
People who start following a very low carb diet after they have been used to eating a lot of carbs can suffer from low-carb flu. Low-carb flu includes fatigue, brain fog and headaches. The condition can be minimised by ensuring that you keep yourself hydrated and have enough salt. This is because low-carb flu usually is the result of the body passing out fluids and salts from the body during the initial weeks of the diet. One can gradually decrease the carbohydrate intake instead of cutting all carbs at once.
Cramps
Your body loses essential salts including potassium, magnesium or sodium when you are on a low-carb diet. If you are getting cramps, ensure that you are consuming an adequate amount of salt. Some good sources of potassium include salmon, eggs, almonds, mushrooms and yoghurt.
Constipation
A low-carb diet can lead to constipation initially. But this side effect will go after your gut gets used to the change. You can try consuming psyllium husk if your constipation is making you too uncomfortable.