Quote:
Originally Posted by PepperTown
How do you know when you're in ketosis?
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I googled to find you a good answer:
Early Stages
Ketosis symptoms change depending how long you've been in the state. In the early stages of ketosis, the symptoms may be a bit unpleasant. However, as your body adapts to the presence of ketones in the bloodstream, symptoms lessen and change. Early ketosis symptoms usually last for several days or up to a week in some people. This typically continues until the body is used to burning fat instead of glucose. After the several days, the levels of ketones in the body will lessen, but that does not mean you are no longer losing weight. It simply means your body has found a balance and is no longer producing excess ketones.
Early stage symptoms include the following:
Tiredness or fatigue
Headache
Feeling thirsty all the time
Dry mouth
Ketosis breath, which smells vaguely fruity and not terribly pleasant
Metallic taste in the mouth, particularly on the back of the tongue near the molars
Weakness
Dizziness
Nausea or stomach ache
Sleep problems
Cold hands and feet
Frequent urination
Ongoing States
As your body adapts to ketones, your symptoms may change or abate altogether. If you are using ketosis strips, your urine may still show ketones present, although probably in far lower concentrations. This is nothing to worry about. The amount of ketones in your urine does not correlate to the rate of weight loss.
As your body adapts to ketones, you may notice the following:
A "buzzed" feeling
Increased energy
Normalized urination frequency
Better sleep
Euphoria
Clear thinking
Sometimes low-carb dieters never seem to reach ketosis, or at least never have the urine test strips indicate excess ketones. This could be because exercising has used up the excess ketones or the urine is diluted from drinking a lot of water. This doesn't mean these people aren't burning fat, just that they aren't registering on the strips as being in ketosis.
Dealing with Ketosis Symptoms
Ketosis is a common part of low-carb dieting, but it isn't always a pleasant one. If you find yourself having trouble getting through this period, there are some things you can try that might ease symptoms:
Snack regularly. Having a protein-rich snack like a piece of chicken may ease the headache and other symptoms.
Take vitamins and minerals. Especially with the lack of fruits and vegetables on a low-carb diet, it's vital to take a good vitamin and mineral supplement to keep your body in a healthy balance.
Try a protein shake. Protein shakes with amino acid supplements can also be helpful for reducing symptoms of ketosis and easing this transition. Many different kinds of amino drinks are available and often are marketed to body builders.
Drink plenty of water, which will freshen breath and keep you hydrated.
Is Ketosis Dangerous?
Some suggest ketosis is an unhealthy condition. Studies show differently, however. A 1983 study published in Metabolism showed ketosis was well-tolerated. Another study in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism in 2002 showed ketosis had a positive effect on blood fats and did not increase risk of cardiovascular disease.
Ketosis Is a Signal
The most important thing to remember is that the unpleasant ketosis symptoms are temporary and will pass within a week or so. Try to focus on the fact that this less-than-perfect feeling is just a sign that you are burning fat and well on your way to losing weight.
I *love* it with EVOO and garlic, though!!
