The Ketogenic Dialogue The_Ketogenic_Dialogue | Page 16

How To Know When You’re In Ketosis
This varies from person to person depending on metabolism and varying resistance to insulin. It
is possible to reach ketosis within ten days from beginning diet, although some have claimed to
enter ketosis in a single day.
There are several ways to tell if you’re actually in ketosis. You should experience rapid weight
loss in first week; this is your body finally being able to release the water that was being held by
the fat cells. In ketosis, the water can flow through the bloodstream to be used as fuel. So the
initial rapid weight loss can be due to loss of water.
You may also experience a decrease in appetite, fewer cravings, and you will stay fuller longer.
In ketosis your body does a better job of regulating the hormones that trigger your brain to let
you know you need to eat.
You may experience short-term fatigue as your body switches over to the new metabolic state
but it shouldn’t stick around long. Another short-term issue you may experience is bad breath
but it shouldn’t last long either. This happens because your cells are not only releasing water, but
acetone, as well. Since the body has no use for acetone, it gets excreted mostly through urine
and breath.
On the upside, you will definitely experience increased energy, focus, alertness, and no more
afternoon crashing. Ketones supply an almost endless supply of fuel for your brain.
For an accurate way to know if you’re in ketosis is to actually check your ketone levels. This can
be done with a meter and test strips. Being in ketosis raises your ketone levels which are found in
your blood, breath, and urine. The most accurate way to test is to use blood.
Click here for more information on the best ways to test your ketones.
Keto Flu
Some people experience flu-like symptoms as their body transitions into ketosis. Once you deny
your body the glucose to burn for energy, there is a period of time where your body is not
producing ketones to sustain you, and this can cause some side effects. Keto flu is basically carb
withdrawals. Also, your body is releasing a lot of electrolytes through urine that you are not
used to replacing which can cause heart palpitations, headaches, and lightheadedness. You may
also experience nausea, sugar cravings, brain fog, insomnia, and irritability. These issues are very
short-term and will resolve once you are fat-adapted.
You must replace all the electrolytes your body is losing so drink lots of water, up your sodium
intake using Himalayan pink salts and high-quality sea salts, which are both found to have extra
minerals not found in regular table salt. “Lite salts” are 50% sodium and 50% potassium and can
help with the “keto flu.” Also, eat plenty of healthy fats like coconut oil, olive oil, ghee, and lard.
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