The keto diet has its fair share of advantages; dedicated followers of the diet love its low-carb and high-fat approach to eating, which supposedly aids in weight loss and lowers blood sugar. But despite its ketone-boosting action and avid following, there are some strange setbacks associated with the diet. The drastic change in food consumption can lead to bad breath, leg cramps, and even the so-called "keto flu."
To see what other surprising ways the keto diet can affect your health, we spoke to a handful of experts. Here are some key caveats they recommend being aware of.
SEE ALSO: 13 foods you can eat if you're vegan and keto
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You can get the "keto flu."
Angela Bicos Mavridis, holistic nutritionist and founder of TRIBALĂ Foods said there is often a transitional period when you switch to the keto diet. This transitional period, she says, can cause a state of flu-like symptoms that can last anywhere from one to five days.
Once your body gets used to the new form of fuel and overcomes the withdrawals of sugar and highly processed carbohydrates, you can then start the transition to becoming fat-adapted.
You can get leg cramps and heart palpitations.
Because the keto diet can decrease your sodium levels, Bicos Mavridis said, it can cause leg cramps and heart palpitations. To avoid these unwanted setbacks on the diet, she recommends incorporating a high-quality salt and a magnesium supplement into your diet.
Keto has effects on your brain.
When your body shifts from glucose utilization to ketone utilization, Rob Arthur, NSCA certified strength and conditioning specialist said this can cause a significant change in the brain.
"Many who switch to a ketogenic diet experience quite a few cognitive benefits like reduction in brain fog, increased focus, mental clarity, or improved mood," Arthur told INSIDER.
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