Kidney Pain and Keto: Everything You Need to Know

​Are you getting frustrated with that sharp lower back pain you’ve been dealing with?

It’s a good thing you’re in the right place! In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What causes kidney pain on a Keto Diet?
• What does kidney pain on Keto Diet feel like?
• What to do about kidney pain on Keto Diet?
• And a whole lot more!

A number of the ketogenic community may suffer from sharp lower back pain and be completely perplexed of the underlying cause.

The issue itself may not be related to your back at all, but instead your kidneys.

Whilst many will jump on the bandwagon to condemn the ketogenic diet and it’s possible contribution to kidney issues, we’re going to take an objective look – why people believe keto is the culprit, identify other possible causes for the aforementioned pain and strategies you can use to work towards improving the condition.

Read Also: The Ketogenic Diet: Ultimate guide for beginners

​What Causes Kidney Pain on a Keto Diet?

There are two primary arguments against the ketogenic diet when it comes to kidney pain;

Ketones cause heightened stress on the kidneys due to increased urine activity

A common misconception surrounding diet driven ketosis is that it can change the pH of your urine from neutral to acidic and therefore increase the stress on your kidneys.

However, this issue only occurs during ketoacidosis, a complication that results from dangerously high levels of ketones and blood sugar (most frequently seen in those with diabetes), not ketosis.

The dangerously high levels of ketones and blood sugar makes blood too acidic and this is what causes the undue pressure and stress on kidney function and health.

The ketosis achieved following an atypical ketogenic diet will result in levels of blood ketones within a normal range; a perfectly safe level that will have no impact on kidney function.

A Ketogenic diet causes increased frequency of kidney stone formation

Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form in the urinary tract and can be incredibly painful.

Ketogenic diets have been associated with the development of kidney stones due to the fact many in the community have diets which are rich in animal proteins. 

The belief is that metabolites and by-products of animal protein digestion and metabolism may increase urinary acidity and contribute to kidney stone formation. 

It has also been argued that a high protein diet forces your body to excrete excess amounts of sodium, calcium and potassium. This can contribute to low blood pressure, another kidney stressor.

However, the research doesn’t appear to support these hypotheses.

Read Also: The Best Keto Meters for Weight Loss: Know your Ketone levels

A 2016 meta-analysis investigating the impacts of low-carbohydrate diet on renal (kidney) function ultimately found that “a low carbohydrate diet and the corresponding high-protein diet was not harmful for renal function in overweight and obese individuals without renal dysfunction”. 

In fact, they actually suggested a low-carb diet may be beneficial to kidney function thanks to its contributions to weight loss!

So, now that we better understand the arguments against a ketogenic diet and kidney health, let’s look into what other possible causes may be contributing to the discomfort.

Read Also: The Best Keto Books to Grow Your Knowledge While Cutting Carbs

Other possible contributors to kidney pain

Although we fairly debunked those two primary arguments against ketosis causing kidney pain, it isn’t to say that there may never be a link between the two.

However, here are the major contributors that you need to keep an eye out for. Note that, treatment requires accurate determination of the underlying cause so, if you’re not confident in identifying that cause, please seek a medical professional’s help!

Aside from kidney stones, you may suffer from discomfort/pain as a result of:

• Blood clots in the kidney – The most common cause of this clot is typically from another condition known as Nephrotic Syndrome. Nephrotic Syndrome is a condition in which large amounts of protein are lost in the urine, and blood flow then gets an increased tendency to form clots within the kidneys.
• Blunt force trauma to the lower back – Kidneys are located just in front of your lower back, and are very sensitive. If you get hit at the right angle, fall or suffer any other form of impact to that area, you can cause some serious damage to the structure of your kidneys (and may lead to you urinating blood in more extreme instances of trauma).
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) – A U.T.I leads and can cause fairly severe pain all the way up to the kidney along the urinary tract.
• Kidney infection – A kidney infection takes place when bacteria from an associated infection of the bladder has started to spread to the kidneys. Kidney infections cause a great degree of inflammation which in turn can contribute to the pain sensation, particular across the lower back.

​What Does Kidney Pain on Keto Feel Like?

Kidney pain can be hard to pinpoint and distinguish from pain of the lower back.

There are some common associated symptoms however that come along with kidney pain (along with those we mentioned in the previous section unique to whichever condition you may be afflicted with)

The pain can feel like it’s taking place on the left or right side, dependent on whichever kidney is affected and may even end up affecting both if you’re particularly unlucky!

As we mentioned, if the pain is particularly severe and or you’re suffering from one or more of the following common symptoms of kidney pain we’d highly recommend you go see a medical professional.

• Fever
• Painful urination
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• A persistent need to urinate
• Flank pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Kidney Pain While Walking on Keto Diet

When walking, some may experience pain in what feels like their left kidney (typically described as a sharp pain or dull ache). You may even have an upper backache and for some the pain can spread to your stomach.

Left kidney pain may have nothing to do with the kidneys and if you’re experiencing pain in other parts of your body this may be more indicative of a separate issue!

Some of the primary culprits for pain in your lower left flank include:

• Muscular pain
• Muscular or Spine Injury
• Joint Pain
• Nerve Pain
• Arthritis

​If you’re experiencing severe pain in the lower left flank, we’d again have to advise you go see a medical professional. Always better to be safe than sorry!

What to Do About Kidney Pain on Keto?

Whilst it’s likely the source of your kidney pain is not related to keto, you can make certain changes to ensure that’s not the case (and making these changes may actually provide some benefit to the symptoms of the other conditions we’d mentioned!)

Eat less meat

As discussed, a high intake of animal-based proteins may influence the development of kidney stones.

It has long been known that vegetarian diets appear to have a protective effect against kidney stone disease with prevalence of kidney related issues being almost half that of those with an atypical western diet.

A vegetarian diet also has a high alkalinizing power on urines, leading to a higher urine pH, resulting in a lower risk for uric acid stones.

Read Also: Learn about the various diet options with a meal delivery service like Freshly 

Vegetarian friendly, keto conducive, high protein sources you can incorporate into your diet to help you achieve your nutritional targets are;

• Full-fat tofu
• Tempeh
• Nuts and Seeds
• Nut and seed butters
• Vegan high protein cheese (e.g. cashew cheese)
• Egg whites

​Hydrate

Chronic dehydration is a risk factor for kidney stones. Many in the keto community suffer from dehydration unawares.

The dietary approach has many merits but many in the community do miss out on important minerals and don’t realize the increased demand for fluid and electrolyte intake – the two dominant dietary factors in hydration status.

Aside from the fact that many of the foods which are rich in electrolytes are now restricted (causing eventual deficiencies if not replaced elsewhere) the ketogenic diet’s effect on insulin levels also plays a very important role.

When insulin levels are lowered, glycogen stores deplete (following carbohydrate restriction) and water will be lost.

Insulin also plays an important role in sodium regulation within the kidneys. Low insulin leads to more sodium (and water) excretion by the kidneys.

Increasing your fluid intake, ensuring your urine is straw yellow to clear is a good start.

Of course, you can drink more water, but increasing your cruciferous vegetable intake and intake of other veggies lower in net carbohydrates but higher in fluids can also help greatly (and contributes to the previous point regarding a vegetarian approach!).

Using an electrolyte supplement may also be of benefit too and well worth a consideration for the convenience alone!

Take potassium supplements

Adequate potassium intake has been associated with a reduced risk of kidney stone development. Achieving adequate potassium intake is a challenge on the ketogenic diet. 

The diet is naturally restrictive in food sources rich in potassium and may cause mineral imbalances due to inadequate food intakes (for example, when sodium is depleted the kidney excretes more potassium to compensate).

We wrote an article previously on this very subject and cover it in much more depth! In that article we’ve recommend a number of products which would be of benefit to supplement with. Here’s one or two of those which we recommended that we personally use:

Kidney bean broth

Kidney beans are naturally rich in magnesium, a mineral associated with reduced risk of kidney stone development and improving symptoms of kidney stones.

Drinking kidney bean broth will help you increase your magnesium intake but having the broth will also minimize carbohydrate intake (which beans are naturally rich in). It’ll also help you increase your fluid intake and improve your hydration status!

To make the broth simply strain the liquid from cooked beans and then drink a few glasses throughout the day!

Read Also: The Best Keto Fiber Supplements for Optimal Health in 2020

Conclusion

Pain in the lower back can result from any number of reasons.

While the ketogenic diet has been touted as a possible detriment to kidney health, we’ve identified why that may not be the case however, have also highlighted how dietary inadequacies can impact kidney health and function.

The ketogenic diet is a fantastic weight loss program to follow for multiple health and performance related reasons. 

However, it does require some planning to ensure you’re not missing out on certain important minerals and other beneficial dietary components that can have a protective effect on kidney health.

If you are experiencing severe pain and or discomfort, please go seek a professional’s advice.

We outlined some dietary changes and strategies you can implement but ultimately clinical intervention will always trump this. Always look after your body; after all, you’ve only got one!

Keto Diet and Kidney Stone, Gout Risk: How to Avoid Problems

• The keto diet is a popular strategy for rapid weight loss and can help with certain medical conditions like seizures and Type 2 diabetes.
• But kidney doctors say that if you’re not careful, it can be a recipe for kidney stones and other health concerns.
• It’s not necessarily the diet itself that’s bad, but the way some people approach it.
• Make sure you’re staying hydrated, and keep your intake of meats in check. 

The

keto diet

, at its essence, is rather straightforward: stop eating carbs, munch on more fat.

It is a high-fat, low-sugar

weight-loss

strategy that forces the body into its natural starvation mode, causing it to rely on fat for fuel instead of on sugars and carbohydrates — typically what our bodies like to burn through first.

Some people say it lifts mental fog while slimming their waistlines. Different versions of the plan have picked up a string of celebrity followers, from Kim Kardashian West to LeBron James. The diet is especially popular among Silicon Valley tech workers, who see it as a path to better performance and reduced appetite, albeit with a side of bad breath.

But while decades of research suggest that a keto regimen can treat epileptic seizures and control blood glucose levels in people with Type 2

diabetes

, there hasn’t been much study yet of what the diet can do for a wider population.

If keto dieters aren’t careful, they can quickly become dehydrated, ramping up the amount of protein and uric acid in their body to dangerous levels. The diet itself has not been linked to an increase (or decrease) in kidney stone diagnosis rates, but some doctors say they’re already seeing a shift as more of their patients go keto.

[Our reporter spent two months on the keto diet. Here’s what it was like]

Dr. Koushik Shaw, a urologist at the Austin Urology Institute, told a local Fox affiliate he had started noticing a worrisome trend.

“I’ve seen a huge spike in the number of kidney stones that we see,” Shaw said, adding that he hadn’t seen an uptick quite like this before in his 14 years of practice.

“A lot of it I attribute to a lot of these high-protein, low-carb, keto-type diets,” he said.

He hypothesized that many of his patients were probably eating more meat and fish than they used to, something that can increase calcium and uric acid levels and acidify their urine.

Keto dieters can eat meat, fish, butter, and cheese.

Flickr / @agentcikay

“All of these things can contribute to a higher rate of kidney stones,” he said.

Higher levels of uric acid in the body can also lead to other health problems, like

gout

, which can happen when uric acid builds up in the body, “forming sharp, needlelike urate crystals in a joint or surrounding tissue that cause pain, inflammation and swelling,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

Other doctors aren’t sure that the keto diet is the true culprit behind the kidney stones.

“Some of the problem might lie in the way that people interpret the keto diet,” Dr. Thomas Chi, a urologist at The University of California, San Francisco, told Business Insider.

He said a combination of “tons and tons of meat” and not enough water could lead to kidney stones.

And Chi said that while he hadn’t noticed any kind of dramatic uptick in kidney stone patients on keto plans, he had seen a few extreme cases of stones in keto dieters.

“While that’s a pretty rare instance,” he said, “it may be driven not necessarily by the fact that you’re having low carbs and higher fat but that you’re subbing in other things,” like more meat.

Fatty keto options like butter and meat can increase your blood pressure, while a higher protein intake can put added stress on kidneys, because it adds more acid to them and messes with the body’s balance of calcium.

Dietitians recommend anyone going on the keto diet consult with their doctor to discuss whether it’s the right choice for their body type and medical history, as well as brainstorm the best things to eat on the plan to stay healthy.

The doctor-recommended way to go keto

Chi said that with so many patients telling him they’re having success losing weight and feeling good on the diet, he didn’t want to discourage a helpful-eating shift.

“I generally tell people, ‘Everything in moderation,'” he said. “We try to take a pragmatic approach.”

He recommends his patients stay well hydrated and don’t overdo it on the meat.

Gayvoronskaya Yana/Shutterstock

Shaw said: “The weight loss is great and lower carbohydrates are great. But you have to balance that with a high fluid intake so you can wash some of the metabolic products out.”

Something that can help is adding lemon to water, Shaw said, because the citrate in the lemon keeps calcium molecules from sticking together.

Children on the keto diet to help control seizures are sometimes given oral potassium citrate tablets, which can both help decrease the number of stones they develop and prolong the time it takes stones to form.

So while there’s no clear evidence that a keto diet directly causes more kidney stones, it’s a good idea to check whether you’re at an increased risk for developing stones before you go keto.

What You Need to Know About a Low-Carb Diet and Your Kidneys

By , medical review by – Updated July 7, 2021

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What’s your main health goal?

Low-carb and ketogenic diets have become very popular for weight loss, blood sugar control, and improved energy — among other benefits. But could eating this way harm your kidneys or worsen pre-existing kidney disease? This guide will break down the existing evidence of how low-carb diets affect kidney health.

First, we’ll look at what our kidneys do and how they can get damaged.

Then, we will examine the research on low-carb diets for the average low-carb eater with healthy kidneys. We will evaluate the two biggest concerns most potential low-carbers have:

1. Will a high-protein, low-carb diet stress kidney function?
2. Do low-carb diets lead to kidney stones?

Our last section will evaluate the evidence about the safety of low-carb diets for those with a confirmed diagnosis of either mild or advanced kidney disease.

Feel free to use the linked outline above to skip to the section most relevant to your health history.

Get your personalized meal plan with a FREE 30-day trial!

What’s your main health goal?

What your kidneys do

Kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped, fist-sized organs at the back of your abdomen. Each kidney produces urine that drains to the bladder 24 hours a day. Your kidneys filter large volumes of blood on a continuous basis in order to:

• Remove excess fluid and acids from the body
• Optimally balance fluids, minerals, and electrolytes
• Regulate blood pressure
• Remove waste products, toxins, and drugs

The kidneys also make hormones that help keep your blood and bones healthy, including making calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D.

In short, your kidneys are like the waterworks department of a big city. We cannot survive without functioning kidneys, so we must support them by following a healthy diet and lifestyle.

How kidneys are damaged

Many different diseases, drugs, toxins, and inherited disorders can lead to kidney damage.

However, by far the two most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which can damage the kidney’s delicate blood vessels and tissues.

When the root causes of these two diseases are not addressed, chronic kidney disease and ultimately kidney failure can be the result. In the US, diabetes causes 44%, and high blood pressure causes 29% of all cases of end-stage kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Why does this happen?

In the case of diabetes, high blood sugars over long periods of time can cause glucose to bind to vital proteins in the bloodstream. This process, known as glycation, results in the formation of advanced glycation end-products (called AGEs). AGEs can cause abnormal changes to proteins and to receptors that ultimately injure the filtering segments of the kidney. This glycation creates a vicious cycle of additional injuries to tissues that results in progressive kidney damage, called diabetic nephropathy.

With high blood pressure, the problem is simply too much pressure. Exposing the delicate filtering portion of kidneys to blood that is moving too hard and fast causes scarring, which damages the kidneys. This results in a loss of kidney function, leading to chronic kidney disease or eventually kidney failure.

The bottom line is that the best way to prevent kidney damage and failure is to treat and prevent diabetes and high blood pressure.

Fortunately, there’s good news: diabetes and high blood pressure can be greatly improved and – to some extent – reversed with a low-carb lifestyle.

A 2019 study in people with type 2 diabetes by Virta Health showed those following a ketogenic diet were able to improve their blood glucose control, with most patients reducing blood sugar to much safer levels. Those on the keto diet also had significant improvements in blood pressure, body weight, and other markers of metabolic syndrome. The majority were able to discontinue oral diabetes medications and reduce or eliminate injectable insulin.

In addition, a review of multiple randomized controlled trials concluded that low-carb diets were more effective than low-fat diets for reducing blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors, at least over the course of 6-12 months.

When diabetes and high blood pressure are controlled or even reversed, the long-term damage those conditions cause to the kidneys can be slowed or prevented completely.

Takeaway: Diabetes and high blood pressure cause more than two-thirds of all chronic kidney disease. Preventing, controlling or reversing these two conditions with a low-carb diet may prevent the future development of kidney disease.

Low-carb diets in those with healthy kidneys

We have learned that low-carb diets can improve diabetes and high blood pressure, which may prevent kidney damage caused by those diseases. But is there any concern that the diet itself might have its own impact on the functioning of healthy kidneys?

Over the years, two concerns about low-carb, ketogenic eating and kidney health have surfaced:

1. Do higher levels of protein intake potentially stress the kidneys?
2. Do low-carb diets increase the risk of kidney stone formation, especially when the diet is first started?

We will take a closer look at both.

Protein and normally functioning kidneys

Why is dietary protein intake sometimes raised as a concern for kidney health? Well, when kidneys are damaged one of the first signs is protein leaking out of the kidney and appearing in the urine. This condition is called proteinuria and it shows that the kidney’s filtering system is malfunctioning.

Because of this, some hypothesize that eating too much protein might stress the kidneys and cause proteinuria and kidney damage. And, because people associate low-carb diets with high-protein, this leads some to wonder if low-carb diets lead to proteinuria.

Of course, a well-formulated ketogenic diet is typically not high in protein.  Even low-carb diets that aren’t ketogenic do not necessarily equate with eating large amounts of protein. At Diet Doctor, we recommend most people eat 1.2 – 2.0 grams of protein for each kilogram of desired body weight — which is “moderate” or “adequate” protein consumption.

This guide about protein gives lots of examples of what that moderate level of protein could look like in a typical day of eating a low-carb diet:

Protein on a low-carb or keto diet

GuideAlong with fat and carbohydrates, protein is one of the three macronutrients (“macros”) found in food, and it plays unique and important roles in the body. Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about protein on a low-carb or keto lifestyle.

For the average person on a low-carb diet, there is probably no reason to worry; the most credible research available shows that low-carb diets are not associated with kidney damage.

Keeping the drawbacks of these studies in mind, a 2016 meta-analysis of nine RCTs in overweight and obese individuals with healthy kidneys showed a greater improvement in kidney function in those who ate a low-carbohydrate diet compared to those who consumed a control diet, though the improvement was likely too small to be clinically meaningful.

A more recent meta-analysis of 12 RCTs found no evidence that low-carbohydrate diets are harmful for kidney health, even in people with type 2 diabetes.

Even for those not on a low-carb diet, evidence suggests that people who eat more protein don’t increase their risk of kidney disease. The following observational study reported those who ate higher amounts of protein had a significantly reduced risk of developing kidney disease.

We are not aware of any randomized clinical trials showing that consumption of moderate amounts of protein can negatively impact kidney function in people with healthy kidneys. There are observational studies, however, which have suggested that low-carb diets with moderate or high protein intake predispose people to kidney damage.

As we responded to these trials when they were first published, there were numerous variables other than protein which could have contributed to the findings of harm. Therefore, we are inclined to rely more heavily on the RCT data – flawed as it is – and conclude that low-carb diets with moderate protein do not appear to damage the kidneys of healthy people.

Higher levels of protein consumption

Some people on a low-carb diet, especially body builders or athletes doing a lot of resistance training to build muscle and people following a carnivore diet, consume higher levels of protein. They may consume more than double the amount of protein that is found in a typical Diet Doctor low-carb recipe.

Is eating a lot of protein — in the form of red meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs — potentially harmful for their kidneys?

No. Again, research shows even at this higher level, it is not a concern if their kidneys are healthy.

In 2005, kidney experts reviewed all the available scientific literature and concluded “while protein restriction may be appropriate for treatment of existing kidney disease, we find no significant evidence for a detrimental effect of high protein intakes on kidney function in healthy persons.”

A 2016 randomized cross-over study followed 14 male bodybuilders for a year. The men ate their normal diet for a total of six months and a high protein diet for a total of six months. The study found no harmful effects on kidney function on the high protein diet.

Another study looked at five healthy bodybuilders who continued to consume a high-protein diet (> 2.2 grams/kg/day) for a total of two years without any change in their normal kidney function measurements or other negative effects.

While caution should be exercised regarding extrapolation of the bodybuilder data to sedentary people with less muscle mass, these studies plus the review article cited above are generally reassuring.

Takeaway: There is no reason to worry. Research shows us that when kidneys are healthy, the level of protein in the diet has no impact on kidney function. This is true for both higher carb diets and low-carb diets.

Low-carb diets and the risk of kidney stones

Can a low-carb diet increase the occurrence of kidney stones? This painful concern requires careful evaluation.

Kidney stones are hard deposits of mineral salts. They occur when supersaturated chemicals in the urine collect to form a crystal. At first the crystals can be as small as grains of sand, but they can grow to become the size of pebbles or even in some people the size of a golf ball.

The majority of kidney stones are either made of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate (80%). Stones formed by uric acid and by struvite make up the other 9% and 10%, respectively. Very rarely, and usually only in families with a genetic risk, stones are made of cystine (~1%).

If diagnosed and treated early, a single attack of kidney stones is unlikely to cause permanent damage to the kidney, but the episode can be incredibly painful and may require treatment with drugs, sonic waves (called lithotripsy) or even surgery.

Risk factors for the development of kidney stones include obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome, which themselves are risk factors for the development of future chronic kidney disease. As well, individuals who regularly form kidney stones have been found to have higher risks of future high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and end-stage renal failure.

Individuals who have had an episode of kidney stones are 50% more likely to have another attack within five years. Preventing kidney stone formation, therefore, is important to general health, future kidney health, and individual well-being.

What is the evidence for a low-carb, ketogenic diet increasing the risk of kidney stone formation?

Kidney stones have been reported in children with epilepsy who use special, highly-restrictive versions of ketogenic diets, but supplementing with potassium citrate may reduce the risk of kidney stones five-fold.

Research to date has NOT found that kidney stones occur more often among those who follow low-carb or ketogenic diets for other conditions. However, it should be noted that very-high animal protein diets (more than 2 grams/kg/day) have been associated with an increased risk of uric acid stones.

Yet anecdotal reports exist — primarily on internet forums — from adults who claim they developed a kidney stone soon after starting a low-carb diet. However, since kidney stones are very common in the US, occurring in 10% of all men and 7% of women — the majority of whom are on a standard American diet — the timing of a stone forming might have had nothing to do with beginning the low-carb diet.

While so far only anecdotal, certain contributing factors could increase the risk of kidney stones while on a keto diet, especially if you have already had an attack of kidney stones. These factors include not drinking enough water, eating too many vegetables that are high in a chemical called oxalate, taking high doses of vitamin C supplements, not consuming enough calcium or magnesium, and eating a very high protein diet. Read more about these potential contributing factors in our Learn More section.

Potential contributors to kidney stones on low carb

1. Not drinking enough water. Transitioning to a low-carb diet can lead to water loss in body tissues. Dehydration concentrates the urine and the minerals that form the kidney stones. Stay well hydrated as you start keto eating.

2. Consuming too many high-oxalate foods. Spinach, avocados, raspberries, turnips, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, celery, almonds, Brazil nuts, pine nuts, and cashews are all high oxalate foods that are commonly consumed on a low-carb diet. These foods can increase calcium oxalate stone formation simply by increasing the amount of oxalate in our blood. This does not mean that everyone eating these foods will get stones, but those who are already susceptible to stone formation may trigger stones by increased consumption of these foods. Watch your intake of these foods if you are susceptible to kidney stones. If you’ve never had a kidney stone, you can continue to eat these healthy low-carb foods.

3. Not having enough dietary calcium. Because calcium binds to oxalate in the digestive tract, consuming too little calcium can increase oxalate absorption, thereby promoting calcium oxalate stone formation. Thus, potentially the worst combination for kidney stone risk could be a low-calcium, high-oxalate diet, which some may follow on a low-carb diet, especially if they have a dairy sensitivity. While dairy products are a very good source of calcium, other good low-carb calcium sources are sardines and salmon; nuts and seeds like pecans, pistachios, and macadamia nuts; as well as leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, and cabbage.

4. Supplementing with high-dose vitamin C. Some people starting a low-carb diet worry that by cutting their fruit consumption they won’t get enough vitamin C so they take vitamin C supplements. However consuming large amounts of vitamin C supplements may increase urine oxalate concentrations and promote the formation of calcium oxalate stones. Food sources of vitamin C are unlikely to cause kidney stone formation so get your vitamin C instead from great low-carb sources like bell peppers, berries (except raspberries), broccoli, and low-oxalate leafy greens.

5. Magnesium deficiency. Although no studies yet prove magnesium deficiency causes kidney stones, some studies suggest magnesium supplementation prevents stone formation. Since magnesium deficiency can be an issue when transitioning to a keto diet, pay attention to adequate mineral supplementation. For more information, please see our guide Electrolytes on a keto diet.

6. High protein intake. As noted above, a high protein diet does not interfere with kidney function in those with healthy kidneys. However, a high-protein diet may increase uric acid excretion, and this could potentially increase uric acid stone formation in some people, especially those with a pre-existing history of gout or a previous uric acid kidney stone. However, somewhat controversial evidence suggests increased uric acid excretion may be associated with a lower risk of calcium oxalate stone formation. And remember, a low-carb or keto diet is usually moderate – not high – in protein. Therefore, this concern may not apply to most people following a properly-formulated ketogenic diet.

Along with paying attention to these six factors, if you have a history of kidney stones, your physician can measure your urinary concentrations of oxalate, phosphate, uric acid, and calcium prior to beginning a low-carb or ketogenic diet. This can help determine if a dietary reduction in oxalate, sodium, or protein – or an increase in dietary calcium – is necessary.

Your doctor may also prescribe supplements or medications such as potassium citrate to reduce calcium oxalate stone formation, or thiazide diuretics to reduce the formation of calcium oxalate and phosphate stones. (Note, however, that thiazides can increase uric acid stones.)

Takeaway: Following a well-formulated low-carb or ketogenic diet does not appear to increase the risk of kidney stones.

Nevertheless, if you want to minimize any risk there are several things you can do (see above).

Low-carb diets in established kidney disease

We have learned a low-carb diet doesn’t jeopardize kidney function in people with healthy kidneys, but what about individuals who already have chronic kidney disease? Is a low-carb way of eating safe for them?

Briefly, in early-stage kidney disease, some data show that low-carb diets are safe and, by controlling diabetes and high blood pressure, they may even prevent the worsening of kidney function. Other studies show that low or very-low protein diets may be beneficial for diabetic patients with early-stage kidney disease. We will explore the conflicting research later in this section.

In more severe, end-stage kidney disease, there aren’t as many studies of low-carb diets, given that significant protein restriction is a hallmark of therapy for very poor kidney function. It is essential if you have advanced kidney disease that you work closely with a qualified medical professional to establish an individualized diet that is best for you and your condition.

Stages of chronic kidney disease

It is important to understand that kidney disease exists on a spectrum; chronic kidney disease is divided into five stages by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a measure of kidney function based on how efficiently the kidneys filter toxins from the blood.

1. Stage 1: eGFR greater than 90 ml/min (healthy filtration rate but protein is abnormally present in urine).
2. Stage 2: eGFR of 60 to 89 ml/min.
3. Stage 3a: eGFR of 45 to 59 ml/min.
4. Stage 3b: eGFR of 30 to 44 ml/min.
5. Stage 4: eGFR of 15 to 29 ml/min.
6. Stage 5 eGFR of less than 15 ml/min.

This is a little technical, but it is important to know where you stand. The first three stages, Stage 1 to Stage 3a represent early kidney disease and mild kidney dysfunction. The last three stages represent worsening or end-stage kidney disease when kidney function is significantly impaired. In Stage 5, when eGFR is less than 15 ml/min, your physician can determine when regular dialysis is necessary to take over the essential job of the kidneys.

Low-carb diets in early kidney disease

There is no research clearly showing that low-carb diets worsen early-stage kidney disease. Also, we learned earlier in the guide that there is evidence that low-carb diets can help control diabetes and improve high blood pressure. Therefore, a low-carb diet may mitigate the main risk factors that lead to kidney disease.

Published research that actually demonstrates improvement in kidney function is sparse. However, in a case report, an obese man with type 2 diabetes who switched to a low-carb diet providing 80 to 90 grams of carbs per day experienced a stabilization of his kidney function, which had been steadily declining during the previous six years. In addition, he was able to discontinue insulin after two weeks on the diet, reduce his body weight by 46 pounds (21 kg), decrease his blood sugar levels, and lower his HbA1c from 9.4% to 6.5%. The authors concluded that the man’s stabilized kidney function was likely due to both his better blood sugar control and the resolution of his obesity.

Earlier in this section, we alluded to conflicting research about the effect of reducing protein intake on early-stage kidney disease. A 2021 meta-analysis of RCTs examining stage 1-3 diabetic kidney disease showed that restricting protein intake to < 0.8 g/kg/day did confer protective benefits on kidney function.

It should be noted that the strength of the authors’ conclusions are somewhat diminished by the trials’ low quality, small sizes, and heterogeneity of study populations. Nonetheless, this does serve as a reminder that the data regarding the safety of low-carb diets in early-stage kidney disease should not be considered to be conclusive.

Takeaway: A well-formulated, low-carb diet in early kidney disease is often safe and may even address the underlying issues of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. In simple terms, by treating diabetes and high blood pressure, low-carb diets may prevent kidney damage.

On the other hand, protein restriction has also been shown to benefit people with early diabetic kidney disease. Larger, longer clinical trials may eventually help reconcile these apparent contradictions.

Low carb diets and late stage chronic kidney disease

When the kidneys’ function is already severely damaged, can eating a low-carb diet help?

The short answer is probably not.

In later stages of chronic kidney disease, the extra demand placed on the remaining functional portions of the kidneys actually results in a continued decline in kidney function. Improvement in advanced disease would be rare even if the underlying causes were improved or reversed. Use of a low-carbohydrate diet for these advanced stages should only be contemplated under the direction of a qualified physician or a nephrologist, a specialist in kidney disease.

Further, a moderate to high protein intake in the setting of more advanced kidney disease can accelerate the deterioration of kidney function; restricting protein is strongly recommended when your kidneys are significantly damaged. Cutting protein intake to the range of 0.6 – 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day (about 40-50 grams per day) – or less than half of what most people typically eat – can slow the progression to end-stage kidney failure, reduce protein in the urine, delay the onset of the symptoms of kidney failure, and delay the need for dialysis or transplantation.

However, an individual assessment of protein requirements by a dietitian is recommended in those with advanced CKD to prevent sarcopenia (severe muscle loss) and frailty, which are both associated with early mortality.

Another issue is that in advanced kidney disease, the kidneys’ impaired ability to excrete sodium, potassium, magnesium, acid loads, and fluids can result in severe health consequences. Starting a low-carb diet — which typically encourages increased salt, fluids, potassium, and magnesium intake — could precipitate serious and sometimes life-threatening fluid, electrolyte, and mineral disturbances. For these reasons, anyone with advanced kidney disease should not attempt a low-carb diet without direct supervision by a nephrologist or qualified physician.

Takeaway: Those with more advanced kidney disease need careful monitoring from a specialist who can ensure they are getting proper amounts of protein within a narrow range of safety and that their electrolytes are appropriately managed. Patients with advanced kidney disease should NOT attempt a low-carb diet without careful supervision.

Summary

That was a lot of information. Let’s break it down one more time.

A well-formulated low-carb diet is completely safe for people with normal kidney function, and it may help treat diabetes and high blood pressure. Because these diseases are the biggest causes of kidney damage, a low-carb diet may actually help prevent kidney damage in those with normal kidney function or early-stage kidney disease.

But note: there are three major exceptions.

1. First, people with early-stage diabetic kidney disease should be aware that some studies show a benefit to eating low-carb, while others show that protein restriction can prevent worsening of kidney function. Talk to your doctor about whether the potential benefits of a low-carb diet for glucose levels, blood pressure, and weight (which may ultimately preserve kidney function) outweigh the potential benefit to the kidneys of protein restriction.
2. Next, those with a history of kidney stones, or who experience an episode of kidney stones after starting a low-carb diet, should ensure their diets minimize consumption of oxalates, optimize fluid and mineral intake, and include moderate (rather than high) amounts of protein. These steps will help prevent further kidney stones.
3. The third and most important caveat is for individuals with advanced kidney disease: a low-carb diet might be dangerous, so consultation with a nephrologist is necessary prior to making any changes to your current diet. Talk to your doctor.

/ Dr. Keith Runyan, MD

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Ketosis and Kidney Function: Here’s What the Science Says

Whenever a non-traditional diet becomes mainstream, there’s skepticism about its real impact on health —  and the ketogenic diet is no exception.

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After all, it isn’t every day that you hear about a diet that encourages you to eat tasty, fatty cuts of meat.

Since dietary fats have been unfairly demonized for the past few decades, some people are worried that keto may affect your internal organs.

Specifically, there’s controversy about the keto-kidney connection.

So is the low carb, high fat lifestyle bad for your kidneys?

Read on to see the two sides of the debate.

In this article, we’re going to talk about:

The Myth Behind Ketosis and Kidney Health

More than 100,000 people are diagnosed with kidney failure in the United States[*]. This condition occurs when your kidneys can no longer properly eliminate waste.

Developing kidney problems is a common concern for people who are just starting a low carb diet,  thanks to two common myths:

Myth #1: The Ketogenic Diet Causes Kidney Stones

Kidney stones form when a mass of crystals develop in your urinary tract. They are extremely painful and while the cause remains unknown, some people believe ketone production can exacerbate these symptoms.

The argument is that excessive high protein consumption requires your kidneys to work in overdrive and forces your body to excrete excess amounts of sodium, calcium and potassium. This loss of electrolytes may also lead to low blood pressure which may stress your kidneys even more.

However, research doesn’t seem to justify this argument.

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One recent meta-analysis[*] that measured the impact of low carb diet on renal function taking into account 1000 people from nine randomised controlled trials found that:

“a low carbohydrate diet and the corresponding high-protein diet was not harmful for renal function in overweight and obese individuals without renal dysfunction.”

Furthermore, it concluded that a low carb diet may even improve renal function thanks to its weight loss effects.

Following a proper keto diet plan with electrolyte supplementation will also help ensure that you don’t come across these issues.

Myth #2: Ketones Overwork Your Kidneys Due To Increased Urine Acidity

There’s a common misconception that nutritional ketosis can change the pH of your urine from neutral to acidic and therefore overwork your kidneys.

However, this only happens during ketoacidosis, not ketosis.

Ketoacidosis is a complication that results from dangerously high levels of ketones and blood sugar, most commonly in people with type I and II diabetes. This combination makes blood too acidic and negatively affects the liver and kidneys.

Ketoacidosis is most likely to occur in people with type 1 diabetes, who can’t produce any insulin.

Nutritional ketosis, on the other hand, is different because the level of ketones is in a normal range. When you’re in ketosis, you have more ketones in your blood than usual, but not enough to cause ketoacidosis.

The ketogenic diet is all about being in ketosis, not ketoacidosis.

Now that we’ve debunked those two myths, let’s look at why the ketogenic is actually beneficial for your kidneys.

Why You Shouldn’t Worry About Your Kidney Health on Keto

Several skeptics have confused the masses about whether or not the ketogenic diet is healthy.

However, the truth is being in ketosis is a normal metabolic state. Our ancestors used nutritional ketosis for survival because they didn’t have access to carb-based meals three times a day like we do now.

Since we have evolved to use ketones for energy, going keto is not going to harm your kidneys.

In fact, studies are now proving that ketones are the preferred energy source over glucose. The heart and brain both run 25% more efficiently when your body is using primarily ketones for energy[*][*].

And again, the research confirms that a low carb diet, even one high in protein, doesn’t harm renal function in people without kidney issues. Those with normal kidney function can handle large amounts of protein without any issue.

Even if you have diabetes — which can put you at risk of kidney dysfunction –, keto is beneficial.

The Ketogenic Diet Can Improve Kidney Function In Diabetics

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a condition that occurs as a result of damaged kidneys due to diabetes. It is characterized damage to your glomeruli, the small units within the kidney where blood is filtered.

In short, diabetic nephropathy means your kidneys aren’t able to filter your blood properly[*].

Studies have shown that a properly formulated ketogenic diet can help reverse diabetic nephropathy[*].

Keto can improve this condition due to two main reasons:

#1: Glycemic Control

It’s hypothesized that more efficient glycemic control can help combat this diabetic kidney condition.

Ketone bodies like beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) help reduce the response to glucose and balance blood sugar, which can improve type II diabetes.

Having healthy blood glucose levels also reduces mortality rates in people with kidney disease.

In one study, researchers looked at 24,000 people with diabetes mellitus (DM) and assessed their HbA(1c) levels as an indicator of glycemic control. HbA(1c) is one of the most common markers of healthy blood glucose levels.

They found that people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who had low HbA(1c) levels had increased mortality rates[*].

Another study looked at nephropathy in diabetic mice. They put the mice on a ketogenic diet and one week later, blood glucose levels were normalized. In the control group who was fed a high carbohydrate diet, several mice had died.

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And just two months later, diabetic nephropathy was completely reversed in the mice who were on the ketogenic diet[*].

This shows that the ketogenic diet is highly effective for glycemic control and preventing early death due to kidney disease.

#2: Ketosis Positively Alters Genetic Expression in Your Kidneys

The previous study also found the gene expression of the mice had changed.

The researchers found the genes responsible for nephropathy — nephrin, ZO-1 and podocin — were reversed. This helped restore the mice’s kidneys back to healthy functioning[*].

This research provides compelling evidence that the ketogenic diet isn’t bad for your kidneys whatsoever. In fact, a low carb, high fat diet can actually improve chronic kidney disease, especially in people with diabetes.

Another perk of the keto diet for people with chronic kidney disease is heart health.

The Ketogenic Diet Can Help Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in People with Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease directly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cardiovascular disease increases the risk of CKD.

Research[*] has found that:

“There is mounting evidence that chronic kidney disease itself is a major contributor to severe cardiac damage and, conversely, that congestive heart failure is a major cause of progressive chronic kidney disease.”

That’s why a diet that can help improve both conditions is beneficial.

You just learned how keto can improve kidney disease, so now let’s look at how it reduces the risk of heart disease:

#1: Saturated Fat Is Beneficial, Not Harmful

For several years, the official dietary recommendations have blamed saturated fat for increased risk of heart disease and mortality.

That’s why many people think the heavy meat consumption on the ketogenic diet is bad for your heart and kidneys. We have been led to believe that red meat and other fatty meat products would damage our organs.

Research now proves this is false.

Studies have shown unprocessed meat doesn’t significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) — only processed meat is harmful.

Processed meats — which we don’t recommend on keto– lead to a 70% increase in the risk of heart disease[*]. So as long as you stick to grass fed meat, your heart will be healthy.

#2: Keto Improves Cholesterol Profiles

All cholesterol is not created equal.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) — also known as “good” cholesterol– is a health marker that many physicians look at to determine the health of their patients, especially those who have chronic kidney disease. An elevation in this type of cholesterol isn’t bad for your heart.

However, LDL (low-density lipoprotein)– aka bad cholesterol — is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Researchers are now finding that HDL cholesterol and saturated fat shouldn’t be to blame for heart disease.

On the other hand, LDL particle size is a more important biomarker to monitor.

One study found that lipid profiles did not predict mortality whereas smaller, LDL particles were linked to a 55% increase in the risk of mortality[*].

LDL particle size is affected by carbohydrate intake. Abundant carbohydrate consumption triggers the release of LDL[*].

Meanwhile, a low carb keto diet reduces LDL cholesterol — which improves kidney function.

Studies have proven that a low carb, high protein diet can decrease the rate of mortality in people with chronic kidney disease by decreasing LDL, HDL and insulin levels[*][*][*].

The Relationship Between High Protein Diets and Chronic Kidney Disease

The previous studies show that high-protein diets do not have a negative impact in people who have normal kidney function.

Reduced protein consumption may only be beneficial in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease[*].

Following a low carbohydrate, adequate protein, high fat diet, can help prevent cardiovascular disease in people with chronic kidney disease.

Since ketosis and protein are not to blame for kidney problems, here’s what actually harms your kidneys:

The Real Culprits Behind Chronic Kidney Disease

The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure[*]. As you just learned, a ketogenic diet can improve both of these risk factors.

Other risk factors include[*]:

• Smoking
• Old age
• Family history of kidney disease
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronically high blood sugar levels

Weight control is also crucial for maintaining healthy kidney function. Obese people are more prone to chronic kidney disease, and obesity can be largely attributed to processed, high carb diets.

Following a ketogenic diet can significantly help with weight loss, blood sugar control and improve kidney function — which can help prevent kidney damage[*][*].

The Ketogenic Diet Protects Your Kidneys

The science is in: a ketogenic diet doesn’t exacerbate kidney problems, and in fact, it protects kidney health.

If you’re thinking of going keto but aren’t sure about the effect on your kidneys, research confirms a low carb, high protein diet won’t damage renal function, as long as you don’t have any pre-existing kidney conditions.

Any keto-ers experiencing kidney issues should look at the most common risk factors first: high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

As long as you follow a proper keto diet plan, you should have no issues with kidney health.

Of course, always consult with your health professional first before starting a new diet, especially if you have kidney problems or have any other risk factor for kidney disease.

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8 weeks into keto [zero carb] and a kidney pain (seems serious) : keto

OK, everything was going great, up until 7th week when i started getting kidney pain / kidney discomfort. It has been 7th day now with kidney pain. It starts in the morning within minutes of the first urination, and more or less persists for the whole day. Sometimes it feels better or the pain completely disappears for a few hours, and then it comes back again.

I have been supplementing with this:

• ~4000-5000 mg of sodium (mostly from pink himalayan salt)

• ~2000-3000 mg of potassium (mostly from potassium citrate)

• ~250-500 mg of magnesium (from magnesium & magnesium/zinc supplement)

I stayed more or less within these ranges, but i definetly did increase my intake of salt and potassium citrate before i strated getting kidney pain. But that was maybe 2 days in the whole week when i took probably 3-4 more grams of salt and 4-5 grams more of potassium citrate. So the intake of sodium/potassium in these days were higher, but that was nothing crazy imo.

Now, i did an urine test (from a morning sample) and most results came back fine / within range:

• albumin/creatinine in urine (ACR) 0,8 mg/g (ref 0,0 – 20,0)

• creatinine in urine 56 mg/dl

• calcium in urine 2,69 mg/dl

• uric acid in urine 21,94 mg/dl

• sodium in urine 98 mmol/l (ref 54 – 190)

• potassium in urine 21,55 mmol/l (20,00 – 80,00)

• urea in urine 1804 mg/dl

My concern is with low potassium excretion, and the ammount of urea in urine (which seems very high?).

Now for other symptoms since kidney pain appeard:

• my weight increased by ~4.4 pounds (i weight myself today)

• feel bloated with water, like overly hydrated or something ? i am definetly not dehydrated (my skin looks great, if anything its overly hydrated), i feel great, have lots of energy, the only problem is kidney pain/discomfort. I did increase my water intake when i started getting kidney pain tho

• sometimes i hear/feel water moving in my stomach/gut (like it sits there or something)

• few times a day i have a slight pain (like from a needle) in stomach area for like 1-2 sec. I guess the pain is either from stomach beeing overly stretched or something ? (too much water ? water retention ?) possibly its a slight pain in a liver, i have no idea.

Now, i plan to take a blood test, mostly for kidneys/liver, and electrolytes but i assume that the problem is because of too much salt/potassium / electrolyte imbalance which caused kidney problems. I assume my kidneys filtration system is not working properly, kidneys are overloaded probably because of too much potassium. Could potassium buildup happen in the body within 2 months from potassium citrate ?

I have already stopped supplementing potassium citrate yesterday, and cut my sodium intake in half. Of course no changes for now. Is a 1-2 day fast a good idea in this case ? If not, i plan to increase my daily activitiy (walking/cardio/weights) drastically withing next 2 days and try to lose the bloat. Can it also help reduce levels of sodium/potassium in the body through sweat ?

And ideas or suggestions ? Thanks.

Indian Actress Mishti Mukherjee, 27, Dies of Kidney Failure Related to Keto Diet

Indian actress Mishti Mukherjee died of kidney failure at the age of 27, due to complications related to her keto diet, according to a statement from her family. Mishti as she was known, suffered kidney failure related to her strict keto diet, Friday evening, according to a  statement that confirmed the death of the actress, who starred in many movies and music videos. Her kidneys failed after the actress reported suffering severe pain. The keto diet is causing controversy in the medical community because of the way dieters lower their carb intake and overload their protein and fat intake, which can put a strain on the kidneys and cause the renal system to get overwhelmed.

The actress’s family released an official statement that stated, “Actress Mishti Mukherjee who marked her brilliance in many films and music videos with her ace acting is no more. Due to the keto diet, her kidney failed in Bangalore and she breathed her last on Friday night, the actress suffered a lot of pain. Unforgettable and unfortunate loss. May her soul rest in peace. She is survived by her parents and brother.”

How Does a Keto Diet Impair the Kidneys?

A keto diet is a high-fat, high protein, low-carb diet designed to put the body into ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel. The ideal keto diet should consist of about 75 percent fat, 20 percent protein, and only 5 percent of carbs. Instead of burning carb, the body must switch over to burn fat, which occurs in about 3 to 4 days of beginning to follow the keto plan.

Studies have linked the keto diet to adverse effects on the body, especially if followed strictly and for an extensive period of time since it can put a lot of stress on your kidneys and may lead to kidney stones. The amount of protein a person eats can lead to overwhelming the kidneys and anyone already suffering from chronic kidney disease or related ailment can suffer side effects. Consuming a diet high in animal protein, especially red meat, may lead to a higher risk of forming kidney stones, the research has shown.

“It may also worsen the kidney functioning of those who already have kidney diseases. The theory is that higher intake of animal food products can make your urine more acidic i.e. increase level of excretion of calcium from your urine,” said Dr. Salil Jain, Director of Nephrology and Renal Transplant, Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram.
Keto Diet Should Not be Followed for More Than 45 Days

The Entertainment Times of India quoted Priya Bharma, a Senior Dietician at the Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in New Delhi in an IANS report: “The Keto diet is one of the hardest diet schedules to follow, which primarily focuses on weight loss.” She added a warning:

“It surely has the potential risk of other health problems as the user is on high proteins and fats intake,” she explained

“A person with ideal or lesser body weight is generally not suggested to go for it. It is not suggested to continue for more than 45 days in one go as the body starves for other nutrients as well as high protein puts pressure on the kidney without other related precautions,” she noted.

Kidneys and Liver Can Be Damaged by Too Many Ketones in the Blood

While kidney stones are one possible side effect there are other more dire outcomes, the studies have shown. Doctors have warned that while keto works well for obese patients it can cause more severe issues for thinner patients who stay on it too long, since when the body stores up too many ketones—the acids produced as a byproduct of burning fat—the blood can become too acidic, which can damage the liver, kidneys, and brain. Left untreated, it can be fatal, according to medical experts. Dieters should drink plenty of water to reduce the stress on the kidneys while on a keto diet.

The Beet quoted Dr. Andrew Freeman, cardiologist, who has studied ketogenic diets and heart disease, who said: It’s not the diet itself, but what most people eat when they are doing it, such as red meat, processed meat (like bacon) and high-fat foods that can cause fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease and other related health problems associated with eating a diet high in red meat. Most people have trouble staying on such a strict low-carb diet, and end up gaining all the weight back. The healthier choice, according to Dr. Freeman,  is a low-fat diet that is rich in plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and low in processed foods.

Is the Keto Diet Safe? What are the Risks?

Fad diets often come with big promises of weight loss and optimum health, but at what risks? University of Chicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial dietitians say the ketogenic or keto diet, which has gained popularity in the last several years, is extremely strict and difficult to maintain.

What is the keto diet?

Rachel Kleinman, RDN, LDN, clinical dietitian at Ingalls, said the keto diet is primarily used to manage seizures in children with epilepsy. Research on the diet’s effectiveness in treating obesity or diabetes is limited.

What is ketosis?

Ketosis is a metabolic adaptation to allow the body to survive in a period of famine. Your body will break down ketone bodies, a type of fuel the liver produces from fat, instead of sugar or glucose from carbohydrates.

To achieve ketosis, the diet requires you eat 75 percent of your calories from fat, compared to 20-35 percent normally. It also requires 5 percent of calories from carbohydrates, about 20-50 grams per day, and 15 percent of calories from protein. Kleinman said it takes about 72 hours for ketosis to kick in. “It’s really an all or nothing diet,” Kleinman said.

People following the keto diet should be eating foods like fatty fish, eggs, dairy, meat, butter, oils, nuts, seeds and low-carb vegetables. “Fat bombs” like unsweetened chocolate or coconut oil can help people reach their daily goals for fat intake. Keto-compliant foods like red meats and nuts can be costly, Kleinman said. Keto-branded products like keto coffee and other supplemental products are also both costly and unnecessary.

Is the keto diet healthy?

Wellness Dietitian Mary Condon, RN, LDN, said the keto diet may result in weight loss and lower blood sugars, but it’s a quick fix. “More often than not, it’s not sustainable. Oftentimes weight gain may come back, and you’ll gain more than what you lost,” Condon said.

Condon said you should always consult your primary care doctor before starting any new diet.

What are the dangers of the keto diet?

“If you are on diabetic medication that causes low blood sugar, those meds may need to be adjusted within a few days,” Condon said. “There are heart-healthy sources of fat, however if that person is not educated on heart-healthy sources of fat, they may consume excessive amounts of saturated fats that can increase your risk of heart disease,” Condon said.

Is the keto diet safe?

The keto diet could cause low blood pressure, kidney stones, constipation, nutrient deficiencies and an increased risk of heart disease. Strict diets like keto could also cause social isolation or disordered eating. Keto is not safe for those with any conditions involving their pancreas, liver, thyroid or gallbladder.

Kleinman said someone new to the keto diet can also experience what’s called the “keto flu” with symptoms like upset stomach, dizziness, decreased energy, and mood swings caused by your body adapting to ketosis.

Is the keto diet bad for you?

Both Condon and Kleinman said they wouldn’t recommend the keto diet to their patients because it is ultimately not realistic or sustainable. The diet restricts fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy that can help with long term weight loss and overall health.

“There’s not one diet that’s good for everyone,” Kleinman said. “Do your research, consult a dietitian, discuss with your doctor, and make sure you’re being safe.”

Call the Health and Nutrition Experts atUChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial at 708-915-8850 to discuss nutrition counseling programs offered to meet your personalized needs.

90,000 Is the keto diet bad for the kidneys? | Ketomer

#keto #keto diet #ketosis # ketones # kidney # diet # np

# keto # keto diet # ketosis # ketones # kidney # diet # np

Discussions about the possible effects of ketosis on kidneys are a limiting factor for many people. interested in dieting for fear of damaging their kidneys. This is a serious problem, and we would like to point out that if you are interested in reaping the benefits that can be derived from ketosis, if you do it correctly and in accordance with expert advice, you have nothing to worry about .There are very few studies that provide a correlation between diet and kidney damage, and are not exhaustive to draw the line and declare the severe effects of ketosis on the kidneys.

The origin of ketosis can be one of the most misunderstood and backbiting concepts when it comes to diet and nutrition in general. This is especially true for researchers who do not take the time to communicate with patients or those in need of real nutrition and dietary advice.In most cases, ketosis is confused with ketoacidosis , a condition characterized by an unusual accumulation of ketones as a result of muscle wasting and dehydration, usually caused by type 1 diabetes.

In this condition, the lack of insulin in the body leads to the accumulation of toxic glucose in the blood, as well as to excessive destruction of muscles and adipose tissue. With this approach, if you were to use the breath ketone counter to check for ketones, you would find that levels are very low, indicating that is not in ketosis.It is important to note that ketoacidosis is a serious medical condition and those who suffer from it will always be closely monitored in intensive care units. However, people in ketosis are among the 90,005 healthiest and most active 90,006 members of society.

It is currently not easy to find a reliable argument against ketosis when it comes to kidney damage. This process produces exceptional results for healthy people seeking to improve their fitness, as well as nutritionally ailing children suffering from various diseases such as diabetes, cancer and epilepsy.Indeed, it is true that there is widespread speculation that ketosis may put undue pressure on the kidneys, but studies are insufficient to support this claim.

It should be noted that almost everyone is in some degree of ketosis at any given time during the day.
The most effective way to tell if you are in ketosis or not is to do any of the ketosis tests available, the most popular of which is NMR, or simply use a ketone breath analyzer to detect the presence of ketones in your breath in real-time time.

The relationship between ketosis and the liver

To understand whether ketosis can harm the kidneys, it is important to understand the relationship between ketosis and liver and the actual process that occurs in ketosis. When on a keto diet, the liver converts medium chain triglycerides into ketones within hours of eating. MCTs are a readily available source of liver ketones. Another part of the diet that the liver will have to deal with is BHB (beta-hydroxybutyrate) salts, which will also be absorbed into the bloodstream as ketones.BHB salts are also other sources of ketones, only their production is independent of the liver.

As noted earlier, there are many printed sources suggesting that ketosis will not affect kidney or liver function.
The main role played by the kidney in relation to ketones is to remove excess ketones from urine.
This removal is likely to be high during the first few days of adaptation to ketosis, but over time the body will begin to retain more ketones and it will begin to predominantly burn ketones as it progresses in the diet.With regard to endogenous ketone production, the liver is the main site of action, and there is currently insufficient clinical evidence to suggest that ketosis is difficult for the kidney or liver.

Effects of the keto diet on the kidneys

Since dietary fats have been unfairly demonized over the past several decades, some people are concerned that keto may affect internal organs. In particular, there is controversy over the effects of the ketogenic diet on the kidneys.

Myths About Ketosis and Kidney Health

Myth # 1: The ketogenic diet causes kidney stones

Kidney stones form when many crystals appear in the urinary tract. They are extremely painful, and while the cause remains unknown, some people believe that ketone production can make these symptoms worse.

The argument is that excessive protein intake requires your kidneys to work hard and force the body to excrete excess amounts of sodium, calcium and potassium.Also, this electrolyte level can lead to low blood pressure, which can further cripple your kidneys.

However, scientific studies say otherwise.

One recent meta-analysis that measured the effects of a low-carb diet on kidney function in 1000 people from nine randomized controlled trials found that:

“A low carbohydrate diet and an appropriate high protein diet do not harm the kidneys in overweight and obese people without renal dysfunction.”

In addition, a low-carb diet has been shown to even improve kidney function due to its effects on weight loss.

Myth number 2: due to high acidity in the urine, ketones overload the kidneys

There is a common misconception that dietary ketosis can change the pH of your urine from neutral to acidic and therefore overload your kidneys.

However, this only occurs during ketoacidosis, not ketosis.

Ketoacidosis is a complication caused by dangerously high levels of ketones and blood sugar, most commonly in people with type 1 and 2 diabetes. This combination makes the blood too acidic and adversely affects the liver and kidneys.

Ketoacidosis is most common in people with type 1 diabetes who cannot produce any insulin.

On the other hand, dietary ketosis differs in that ketone levels are in the normal range. When you are in ketosis, you have more ketones in your blood than usual, but not enough to cause ketoacidosis.

Why You Shouldn’t Worry About Kidney Health On The Keto Diet

Several skeptics are confusing the masses about whether a ketogenic diet is right for the kidneys. The truth, however, is that ketosis is a normal metabolic state.

In fact, modern research shows that ketones are the preferred energy source over glucose. When your body uses predominantly ketones for energy, your heart and brain work 25% more efficiently.

Once again, research confirms that a diet low in carbohydrates (even high in protein) does not harm kidney function in healthy people. Those with proper kidney function can handle large amounts of protein without any problem.

All keto lifestyles with kidney problems should first pay attention to the most common risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. As long as you follow the right nutritional plan, you shouldn’t have kidney health problems.

Expert opinion

Alena Kovaleva

Former “carbohydrate addict”, happy mom and editor-in-chief of KetoDieto.

Ask an expert

Before starting a new diet, be sure to consult your doctor, especially if you have kidney problems or other risk factors.

The author of the article

Nadia is a professional nutritionist. She is passionate about fitness, nutrition, health and diet, and loves to share her knowledge with the world around her.

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90,000 Another keto scarecrow. Does ketosis harm the kidneys?

Problems with kidneys according to statistics in about 10% of the population. So the question is, does keto harm the kidneys? And in general – what kind of diet is bad for the kidneys?

The picture is taken from the article “The Ketogenic Antidote to Chronic Renal Disease”,

the name translates as “Ketogenic antidote for chronic renal failure”

This post is the answer to the question that came to the Administration of the group from Tatiana Prokofieva.

Tatiana Prokofieva:

“I read the story of her client, who came to her sick and exhausted, from a friend, a famous specialist in medical nutrition. Among the complaints was a line – “after the ketogenic diet, the kidneys became bad.”

A friend works in the system of macrobiotics, this is happening in Israel.

I immediately assumed that the client did not have any keto diet, but was something like a protein diet.But, of course, no one began to understand this. They just built a different diet, in their own system, and called it correct.

Did anyone in the group have kidney problems when switching to a keto diet? ”

And here is a link to a discussion that took place a while ago, which I just sent Natalya Ivanova , however, completely not guided by the desire to expose the myths around the ketogenic diet. Quite the opposite, as proof that ketogenic diets are dangerous:

From the comments in the Ketogenic Diet group:

“I was in strong ketosis two years ago, started having severe girdle pains, ended up in intensive care with dehydration and ketoacidosis (saw very little).… Please, drink a lot, this is very important, what I have experienced I will not wish on anyone. I love this diet, on a low carbohydrate for about 10 years, and only after many years I realized how important it is to drink enough, once in intensive care. ” The question arises – what does ketosis have to do with it?

my comment (Galina Lebedeva):

“Many unreasonable people foolishly chase the darkest keto stripes. In epileptics this might make sense, but kidney stone problems are a side effect.Thinking is a side effect of ketosis – a substitution of concepts and another stupid scarecrow. ”

I myself somehow got a stone from my kidneys, because due to migraine I almost did not drink for 3 days, after drinking there was vomiting. And so several times a month. The cause of stones then is dehydration. By the way, after I began to fight with migraine ketosis, stones stopped forming and, accordingly, coming out.

Just want to make a link to the materials of the group, which says about errors with the ketogenic diet.And the album Errors and Misconceptions.

The most important misconception from my point of view is that the ketogenic diet is confused with the Ducan diet, about which people often share the following reviews: Cruise (diet phase) severely kidney disease , had to quit. Minus 6 kilograms, + treated kidneys . To answer. Anna Andreevna #. Girls, what diet is possible with diabetes? “

If you google ketosis and kidney damage, there are some links that do not refer to the diet that our group recommends, but you will notice that many people persist in calling high protein diets ketogenic:

“ Does Ketosis Cause Kidney Damage? | Lean for Life by Lindora

www.lindora.com ›FAQs› Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance

Concerns regarding undue stress on the kidneys are often aimed at very low carbohydrate, very high protein ketogenic diets . ” ( Concerns about excessive kidney stress are often associated with very low carbohydrate, very high protein ketogenic diets )

It is not uncommon for keto practitioners to add advice from an early 20th century epilepsy treatment protocol that used dehydration to increase ketone products.The result is disastrous for the kidneys.

So once again I remind beginners – you need to eat more fat, the amount of protein should be low in epilepsy or moderate in the absence of the need for high levels of ketones. Do not starve yourself in pursuit of ketone levels – drink water as much as your body asks, if it asks for little, make sure you drink enough fluids, but this is advised by all healthy diets. At the beginning of your diet, use keto calculators to figure out how much protein is normal and how much fat is low.Especially if you have kidney problems.

By the way, if you have diabetes, your kidneys just need a diet that protects the kidneys from high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar is harmful to the entire body. and not only the kidneys, but also the liver, brain, blood vessels, kidneys. Ketosis offers hope that diabetics can stop being dependent on dialysis.

Why a smart approach to the ketogenic diet is so important

In previous articles, we presented the general characteristics of today’s common diets and discussed in detail the low fat diet as well as the low carbohydrate diet – their advantages and disadvantages.

This article is devoted to the ketogenic (keto) diet, which provides for an extremely low intake of carbohydrates, which can cause the body to enter a state of ketosis – a mode of life due to the processing of fats. It is believed that the keto diet can contribute to a number of beneficial changes in metabolism and prevent the development of some chronic diseases, even if their first signs, such as high blood pressure and prediabetes, have already appeared.

With a keto diet, the bulk of calories are released during the breakdown of fats (up to 75 percent), much less during the processing of proteins (20 percent) and carbohydrates (5 percent).This means eliminating all sugars and starches from the diet, including pasta, bread and almost all fruits, as well as specific and whole food groups that are considered healthy, such as carrots and beets.

It is clear that this diet is not easy to follow. Therefore, it is resorted to periodically – intermittently and from time to time.

Health slogan 90 140. This is a pretty radical diet that eliminates metabolic problems caused by unhealthy eating habits.

Analysis . When people switch to a ketogenic diet, the liver instead of glucose begins to produce ketones from fat as an alternative source of energy for the body. Ketosis is similar to fasting. A ketogenic diet can promote weight loss and lower blood sugar levels. The keto diet also helps fight insulin resistance – the early stage of type 2 diabetes. This diet attracts many by the fact that you can lose weight without experiencing a strong feeling of hunger.

Thanks to these properties, the keto diet has become very popular among wealthy executives of some large and start-up companies in the US Silicon Valley. Popular singer Beyoncé and legendary basketball player LeBron James are her active guides.

Despite these benefits, the diet is fraught with potential problems. As the body adjusts to the lack of carbohydrates, a person may experience lethargy, fatigue, body aches and headaches.These symptoms are temporary, but only with strict adherence to diet and ketosis.

Most keto diets involve a significant intake of saturated fat, which leads to an increase in the level of “bad” LDL cholesterol. In the fasting mode, the muscles’ own proteins begin to be used as a source of energy, and the loss of muscle mass can result in unpleasant consequences. In addition, the state of ketosis is unusual for the body, it begins to experience stress, which can lead to long-term kidney problems – kidney stones and other diseases of this organ can appear.Diets that are high in fat and low in carbohydrates typically consume very little fiber, which increases the risk of colon cancer and harmful bacteria in the gut.

Main protein source . Animal protein comes complete with saturated fat, which is the most unhealthy form of fat. In a keto diet, this helps avoid carbohydrate intake. Protein, which is the main component of meat, fish and dairy products, acts as the main building material for bones, skin, hair and other body tissues.In the absence of a sufficient amount of carbohydrates, it can serve as an energy source for the body. But since proteins are broken down more slowly than carbohydrates, they are less converted to body fat.
The keto diet involves limiting the consumption of legumes and grains containing plant proteins and unsaturated fats that are important for the body.

Most affordable fats 90 140. All types of fats are welcome in the keto diet.

What about carbohydrates? Almost all carbohydrates should be avoided with the exception of a small amount of ground vegetables.Not only are carbohydrates from unhealthy, processed foods made with added flour and sugar banned, but also fruits, legumes, grains and dairy products containing healthy carbohydrates.

Is it easy to follow? The keto diet is very difficult to follow because it requires giving up a lot of familiar foods. In addition, flu-like changes in well-being may appear early in the diet, making the ketogenic diet difficult to implement. Therefore, most people resort to it sporadically.Unfortunately, returning to a regular diet quickly leads to the weight gain and loss of metabolic improvements seen during the ketogenic diet.

When she does harm 90 140. The keto diet is fraught with hidden dangers, as the consumption of saturated animal fats can exacerbate some of the problems. For example, a diet based on oil and meat can lead to high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

Given that all major food groups – vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, dairy products – contain significant amounts of carbohydrates, all that remains is oils, meat, poultry and fish.Equally challenging is getting enough essential nutrients that can only be found in carbohydrate-rich foods. Therefore, it is almost impossible to follow a keto diet for a long time.

In addition, scientists believe that avoiding dietary carbohydrates is somewhat contrary to evolution. The fact is that, as has recently been shown, humans are the only mammals whose saliva contains amylase, an enzyme that breaks down complex carbohydrates.In other mammals, amylase is produced only by the pancreas. This means that the human body is genetically tuned to give preference to foods containing complex carbohydrates at the level of taste.

How to make it good for your health . If you focus on healthier plant-based fats like oils, while limiting your intake of unhealthy saturated fats, then you can reap the potential benefits of a ketogenic diet.And reducing or eliminating foods with added sugars and refined grains from the diet will have a positive effect on metabolism.

Terminal . The keto diet can only be tolerated by stubborn, die-hard people who are ready to subject themselves to severe tests for the sake of their goal. But if you evaluate the keto diet realistically, then you can periodically resort to it in order to lose excess weight, but this must be done with caution.

Nevertheless, the keto diet is considered a very effective strategy if it involves the transition from so-called fast-digesting carbohydrates to foods in which the calories are densely packed, namely, to a diet with enough quality proteins and healthy fats.The calories in these foods burn more slowly, but they give us the feeling of fullness we desire by providing the body with vital nutrients. By following these recommendations, you can intuitively choose the rate of weight loss that is optimal for you.

For some people, this may be only half a kilogram per week, for others – a few kilograms. Most importantly, you can achieve sustainable and long-term results in controlling your weight by not particularly restricting yourself in food and not suffering from hunger.After the normalization of metabolism, it becomes easier to adapt, and subsequently rely on your intuition and eat rationally.

In general, the keto diet allows you to turn off hunger by eating foods rich in nutrients: taking them instead of carbohydrates when you feel hungry and before you feel full. The keto diet tends to tame fat cells to foods that are low in carbohydrates. This allows you to reduce the level of insulin that stimulates fat cells, as well as reduce inflammation and rationally redistribute calories, which will now be spent on the priority needs of the body.

In subsequent publications, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the following popular diets: gluten-free, Mediterranean, paleolithic, raw food and vegetarian.

If you are seriously interested in the scientific principles of healthy eating, we recommend that you study the publications of the Academy of Preventive Medicine: “Scientific Foundations of Nutrition and Behavior Regarding Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Obesity” and “Nutrition in the Anthropocene Era”.

Almaz Sharman, professor of medicine
Material prepared for publication by Dina Bukaeva

Liver and kidney hurts on a keto diet – Question to the gastroenterologist

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Health: How to Prevent Keto Headache

If you’ve recently started a keto diet and have headaches, brain fog or mental fatigue, don’t be surprised or worried too much. You probably experience some of the common (but not fun) side effects that occur when switching from a carbohydrate (glucose) diet to a ketone (fat) diet.The good news is that these symptoms are temporary in those new to the keto diet. Plus, there are things you can do to help them go away or bother them less while your body gets used to the ketogenic lifestyle.

What causes headaches on the keto diet?

When you go from a typical high-carb diet to a low-carb, moderate-protein, high-fat diet, it takes time for your body to adjust.Without significant carbohydrate intake, your body learns to focus on burning fat as its main source of fuel. During this time, usually one to two weeks, common side effects are expected due to the restriction of carbohydrates in a low-carb diet. This adaptation period is very similar to detoxification. In fact, you are clearing out a sugar (glucose) diet that is loaded with starchy vegetables and other sources of sugar. Thus, it is normal to experience various detox or flu-like symptoms during the first week, commonly referred to as keto flu .One symptom is a headache, which makes sense if you understand the transition process.

Low blood sugar headaches

Your brain is used to eating glucose (a high-carb diet) rather than ketones (a high-fat, low-carb diet). When you go on a keto diet, your body continues to receive glucose even when it is no longer available, and instead produces enough ketones for energy. This can cause your blood sugar (blood glucose) levels to drop too low (usually below 70 mg / dl), especially if you are on intermittent fasting and, if you have not already done so, are keto-adapted, may become hypoglycemic.In this case, the occurrence of hypoglycemia is not a cause for concern. This is part of the transition. However, since your body is not used to it, this new low blood sugar (no glucose) can briefly add stress to your brain and nervous system, and as a result, cause stress hormone-induced headaches as well as intense hunger. and brain fog. Once your body starts using It Ketones, not Glucose, you will feel some relief from your headache and start getting higher energy levels and known health benefits from being in dietary ketosis.

dehydration

Notice how your weight drops rapidly when you start keto? This is actually a loss of water. When you’re in a keto transition and using up stored glucose (glycogen), your body releases excess water. This is because every gram of glycogen is stored and released with three grams of water.So, as your body gets rid of all of its glucose stores, it also eliminates significant amounts of water (and the bloating that accompanies it).If you do not replenish this water, drinking often and in abundance, you will be dehydrated and also possibly get a headache that accompanies dehydration. (Do you know hangover headaches? Same idea.)

Electrolyte imbalance

Also, when you reduce your carbohydrate intake, your body produces less insulin. Since insulin’s job is to convert glucose into carbohydrates, when you stop eating carbohydrates, your body needs and therefore produces less insulin.With less insulin in your system, your kidneys release more sodium, one of the electrolytes that regulates your hydration.This excretion of sodium can disrupt the balance of other essential electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium. This imbalance is one of the main reasons why people suffer from keto flu symptoms. If you experience a headache while on keto, it could be due to sodium loss.

Toxins from Stored Fat

When your body starts using fat for fuel instead of glycogen, it ends up in your fat stores.But these fat stores also store toxins. When the body breaks down its fat, these toxins enter your bloodstream, potentially causing headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.

Menstrual cycle

There is a lot of misinformation and anecdotal information on the topic of hormones and ketones, but it is clear in the literature that there is ANY diet that leads to rapid weight loss or restricts calories (which some people initially do in keto in order to help reduce appetite), change the circadian rhythm (daily patterns) and signal hormonal changes.It is also true that lowering insulin levels directly lowers estrogen levels. Most people today are dealing with estrogen dominance due to blood sugar imbalances, stress, exogenous hormone chemical exposure, poor sleep, and excess blue light / screen time, which creates hormone imbalances.

How to Stop or Prevent Keto Headaches

What can you do to help with a keto-related headache? Here are some easy ways to try it.They are also a good ongoing practice for your ongoing keto success, headache or not.

• Hydroxide
  Avoid dehydration. Drink at least half your weight in ounces of water throughout the day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you will need to drink 75 ounces of water. In addition to this amount, if you are drinking diuretics such as coffee, increase your water intake by 1–1 / 2 glasses of water per cup of coffee. It will also help flush out toxins that are released when burning body fat.Some people are looking for electrolyte supplements during this time. Bone broth or broth is also common. But this is not necessary, especially if you listen to the next three recommendations.
• Salt water
  One simple way to replenish sodium lost in the keto diet (and therefore help maintain electrolyte balance) is to add a pinch of Himalayan salt to every glass of drinking water. You can also add mineral drops to your water to boost your electrolytes.
• Eat enough fat
  Based on a high-carb diet, it may seem counterintuitive to eat so much fat. But getting the right amount of macros (i.e. 70 to 80 percent of your daily calories from fat) is essential to a successful keto transition. It’s also your best bet for countering low blood sugar headaches and fighting hunger.
• Eat Quality / Nutritious Dense Foods
  How can you counteract the toxins released during fat loss? Make sure you are eating enough nutrients (within your macros are ) and, if necessary, don’t limit calories too quickly.You do not want to lose fat too quickly because more accumulated toxins are released. Also, when making your meal plan, try to choose cleaner foods that are free of GMOs, hormones, and other toxins such as pesticides.

Last Word

Hope we helped clarify your questions and possibly your headache. But here’s a little about keto headaches:

1. Keto headaches are common during the transition from a high-carb diet to a high-fat, low-carb diet.They are also temporary and will go away when your body gets used to using ketones for fuel.
2. One way to prevent headaches is to moisturize and add a pinch of Himalayan salt to the water to provide replacement for sodium lost from water loss associated with keto.
3. Stick with “ pure-keto ” Diet as much as possible to avoid adding toxins to your diet.
4. Be sure to meet your daily macros (fat, protein and carbohydrates) to help boost energy and stimulate the keto transition.
5. Rapid changes in female water, caused by diuretic ketogenic diets or otherwise, briefly induce estrogen to sink and can cause hormone imbalances that can lead to headaches. To avoid this, consume more salt, hydrates, and in the case of some women, increase the complex carbohydrate intake for a short period just before menstruation.

Disclaimer: When switching to a new diet, it is always a good idea to consult your doctor first, especially if you already have health risks or pre-existing medical conditions.Therefore, always ask your doctor or dietitian before making any major dietary changes, including switching to a high-fat diet.

In ketosis: Turn on the mood

Sharon Stone, Megan Fox and Halle Berry – What Unites Star Actresses? Love for the keto diet! Thanks to the fashionable nutrition system, Kim Kardashian allegedly threw off 25 kilograms at once. After watching Hollywood divas, Elena Khudyakova decided to completely abandon carbohydrates in favor of fats.I switched to lard, butter and broths.

Elena Khudyakova:

– Do not limit yourself in anything. I read somewhere that it seems that this diet is even good for health. After some time, I began to observe that I started to feel dizzy, apathy arose. Since I go to the gym, I felt a decrease in physical endurance, headaches.

Doctors say that Elena got off easily with headaches. The keto diet is a diet in which the body gets its energy from fat rather than glucose.When they are burned in the liver, ketone bodies are formed: acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyric acid and acetone. Metabolism is changing. Excess water quickly leaves, and the kilograms melt before our eyes.

Anastasia Plescheva, endocrinologist, nutritionist:

– If the body is constantly in acetone vapor, in a state of intoxication, then of course, nothing good can be with it. And that’s the scariest part of the keto diet.

With such a diet, the body is completely rebuilt.Fat becomes the main fuel. The entry into a state of ketosis is monitored by dieters using homemade test strips and tests. But doctors warn: this is an extremely dangerous business. The keto diet is prescribed in extreme cases. For example, for diabetics, to lower blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity.

Irina Berezhnaya, gastroenterologist, candidate of medical sciences:

– There is a curative version of these diets when they are prescribed to patients with autism or psychiatric diseases.Even epilepsy has been tried to be treated with these ketone diets. Of course, we can recommend such a diet for an overweight person, but, as a rule, under the supervision of a doctor and for a very short period.

Healthy people, addicted to such a diet, risk getting stones in the gall bladder and kidney. Meat, broths and animal fat contain many purine bases, which, when converted to uric acid, are deposited in the blood and joints. The level of cholesterol also rises.The risk of developing cardiovascular diseases increases.

Olga Rozhdestvenskaya, nutritionist:

– By reducing carbohydrates, we are most afraid of provoking arrhythmia. If there is a tendency to thrombosis, then this is a very serious story. Therefore, when we go on a low-carb diet, it is necessary to add water with electrolytes. At the very least, do not exclude salt from the diet.

Ketosis is contraindicated in those who already have gallstone disease or chronic kidney and liver disease.More than three days of such a diet are deadly for them.

Irina Berezhnaya, gastroenterologist, candidate of medical sciences:

– Long-term use of such diets can lead to metabolic disorders in the liver and pancreas. The replacement of the actual cells of the liver and pancreas ultimately leads to failure, because they are completely replaced by the fatty layer.

And most importantly, the quality of life with the use of fat alone deteriorates sharply: a person loses strength and motivation to do something.When you go back to your usual diet, the lost kilograms quickly return.

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