by PRS

Created on: December 16, 2009   Last Updated: July 19, 2010

Ketosis is an emergency state that the body enters into when it lacks the carbohydrates necessary to fuel normal metabolic pathways.   The most common cause of ketosis is a diet that is low in carbohydrates, which of course has become the ´fad diet´ for the last decade. 

In the absence of sufficient carbohydrates, the body begins to process  glycogen in the liver as a primary energy source.  Glycogen in the liver can support normal body functions for less than a day.  After this, the body is forced to convert fat into ketones as it's primary energy source. This is an unnatural state for the body to be in, so there are many negative signs that will occur when a person is in ketosis.

One of the major differences between normal metabolism and ketosis is the other chemicals needed and the waste products produced.  Ketosis greatly increases the amount of water soluble molecules in the body, particularly in the bloodstream.  Because of this, excess amounts of water are needed by the individual.  Often times individuals who put themselves on a low carbohydrate diet do not realize this and are then surprised that their weight can increase as the body retains more water to deal with the water soluble compounds in the blood.

Most of the signs and side effects of Ketosis can be directly related to the increased demand for water by the body.  One of the most obvious signs is extreme thirst.  The body is good at telling you when you need something,   Foul breath is another very common side effect of ketosis.  Without proper water levels in the body, the mouth does not produce enough saliva, which prevents the mouth from removing excess bacteria.  Bacterial levels in the mouth increase, and bad breath is a sign of this happening.  Also, many individuals will experience a metallic taste in their mouth.   The dehydration caused by ketosis will also very frequently cause prolonged headaches and dizziness.

Other symptoms of ketosis will last only a few days, or maybe up to a week.  These symptoms are caused because it takes the body a few days to switch over to using fats as a primary energy source.  In the few days while this is happening, there will be an extreme lack of calories for the body to burn for energy.  This lack of energy for the first week will result in tiredness, muscle weakness and nausea.  Because your overall activity level is so drastically effected, many people also experience severe sleep problems, which will prolong the duration of the tiredness and muscle weakness symptoms.

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