Ketosis: Symptoms, Health Benefits and Side Effects

There are different types of organic compounds that are used to carry out several types of important physiological functions of the body. Some of them are present in simpler forms, while others occur in chains of complex bonds. One such organic compound is known as ketone. Ketone is a type of organic compound that is made of one or more carbonyl groups that are bonded together by hydrocarbons.

There are some limited levels within which ketones must be present in the body. If the level of ketones in the body increases, then the condition is termed ‘Ketosis.’ It has been found by several sources that when an individual remains on a low-carbohydrate diet, then the level of the ketone is increased in the body which might lead to ketosis. When the body develops the condition of ketosis, then it has a general tendency to use fats and similar lipid components to synthesize energy instead of using glucose or the sugar molecules present in the blood. But it is a proven fact that during ketosis, the body can derive more energy by utilizing the stored fat compared to the breaking down of glucose components.

It has been found in recent research studies and experiments that there are several types of health benefits that one might derive after following a ketosis diet. Some of those health benefits include lowering the chances of getting seizures, mostly among children, risks of epilepsy, helping in reducing excessive body weight and thus lowers down risks of developing obesity, lowering high blood sugar levels, and so on. But on the other hand, ketosis includes a particular form of diet that might not be suitable for everyone and may include the development of several types of side effects. So, it is always advisable to consult your health care expert before you are going to start a low- carbohydrate diet and even if you feel the adverse health effects of ketosis, then consult the doctors as soon as possible.

All You Need to Know About Ketosis:

As mentioned earlier, ketosis is a particular condition of the body in which the number of ketones is present at excessive levels in the blood in the form of a substance known as beta-Hydroxybutyrate. When a person has ketosis, it is said that the average count of ketone levels in that person’s blood will range between 0.5–3.0 million moles per liter (m mole/L). This measurement can be taken through urine or blood measurement.

Glucose or the sugar molecules that are present in the blood are considered important and primary sources for producing energy in the body. When ketosis occurs in the body, then the body does not use glucose for the synthesis of energy. But the energy in this condition is derived from the fats that are stored in the body. The usage of fat instead of glucose as a component for the synthesis of energy in the body occurs mostly when a person develops the condition of ketosis either by following a low- carbohydrate diet or through starvation or fasting. This happens because, according to studies it has been found that when there is a lack of glucose or sugar molecules in the body, then the body tends to use up the fatty acids to produce energy, while the level of insulin hormone decreases in the body. Thus, ketosis refers to a health condition when there is a lack of carbohydrate content in the body and a surplus of ketones.

People usually prefer to follow a keto- diet to lower their carbohydrate consumption and to burn out excessive fat. Thus, when there is an excess of ketone compounds in the body and the body develops ketosis, then the person does not feel hungry frequently, and therefore the chance of obesity decreases.

Symptoms Related To Ketosis:

Maintaining a low- carbohydrate diet is often good to keep away from health problems such as obesity, but when a surplus of ketones in your body leads to ketosis, then it might cause health problems. There are different types of signs and symptoms related to ketosis, the most significant of them being the bad breath that is caused due to the presence of a form of ketone in the body, known as ‘acetone.’ But there are other symptoms too. Some of them are given here as follows:

• Nausea that may or may not be accompanied by vomiting
• Chances of headache
• Stomach upset or bloated stomach
• Excessive tiredness and exhaustion
• Excessive loss of body weight
• Sudden loss of appetite
• Conditions such as brain fog

Some Health Benefits Related To Ketosis:

A low carbohydrate diet is a good one and the condition of ketosis in your body often leads to some good health benefits. Some of them are listed here as follows:

1. Epilepsy:

Epilepsy is a neurological condition of the brain when the brain undergoes some malfunctioning, for which the sufferer goes through seizures, which goes on in a repetitive process. Today, quite a good number of people suffer from epilepsy, not only in India but also in major parts of the world. Many health care experts and neurological experts advise that apart from using chemical drugs and medications, the condition of ketosis in your body, that is a surplus of ketones in the body might effectively help to lower the chances of developing epilepsies, which is found in many studies.

2. Loss of body weight:

If you are concerned about losing your excess body weight, then ketosis is the ideal condition for your body. It has been found recently in studies and experiments that ketosis leads to losing excessive weight in your body. Since the body remains on a low-carb diet, the body cells use up the excess or accumulated fats and fatty acids to produce energy and thus the fat does not get deposited within the body. This helps in the reduction of fat in the body and thus helps in lowering body fat. Moreover, after you have ketosis in your body, you are more likely to have lower urges of hunger and will have a sense of fullness most of the time. This will therefore help to lower down the amount of food intake in your body, and thus reduce the deposition of the fat and lipid from those foods within the tissues of your body.

Downsides Of Ketosis: The Risks And Side Effects of Ketosis

Though ketosis has many health benefits and reduces the chances of obesity, there are some potential side effects of this form of diet. Thus, this form of diet might not be suitable for everyone. Some of the common side effects include the following:

• Excessive headache
• Exhaustion and tiredness
• Problems in proper bowel movement lead to constipation
• Chances of dehydration might lead to severe health adversities
• Bad breath.

The above-mentioned symptoms are known as the short-term side effects of ketosis that might start appearing within a few weeks of starting the keto diet. The major side effects are as follows:

• Risks of developing kidney diseases
• Chances of an increase in the bad or LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol levels and consequent damage to the heart lead to the development of different types of cardiovascular diseases

Moreover, this can have an immense psychological and physiological impact on those people who have already suffered or are suffering from conditions such as several types of eating disorders.

When Should You Call the Doctor?

At some times, ketosis might become worse and can cause a severe impact on your health. If you have mild side effects, they might be manageable and can be easily treated at home, but when the condition deteriorates, you must consult your health care expert. There are some symptoms that will tell you if you need to rush to the physician or not. Some such signs are listed below:

• a sudden increase in urination
• dryness of mouth
• feeling thirsty repetitively
• Shortness of breath or problems with breathing
• excessive tiredness and exhaustion
• Stomach upset and bloating with stomach pain
• Dryness in your skin
• Throwing up
• Confusion
• Breath that has a fruit-like smell.