You’re not dreaming.
You’re not going crazy or delusional.
And you’re definitely not overheating or dehydrating yourself on the keto diet!
You are actually sweating because you’re in ketosis, and the reason why you sweat on the keto diet while some other people don’t even when they are working out is because of your electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.
Ketosis, as we have mentioned before, is a state where your body burns fat to produce energy instead of burning carbohydrates or glucose as fuel.
What Is Keto And How Does It Work?
If you’re unfamiliar with what keto is, it’s a very low-carb, high-fat diet.
On keto, your body enters a metabolic state called ketosis where it begins to burn fat for energy rather than carbohydrates.
A common side effect of being in ketosis is sweating or feeling like you’re always hot—and that can be scary.
We have all heard stories about keto flu and its side effects, but why am I sweating during my first week of keto?
Most people think it means something bad is happening or your body isn’t processing correctly.
But according to experts and anecdotal evidence from people who have gone through it themselves, there’s nothing to worry about.
In fact, if you’re experiencing excessive sweating while following a ketogenic diet, here are some things to consider:
You’re not eating enough calories:
It sounds counterintuitive, but if you aren’t eating enough calories then your body will go into starvation mode.
Your body will begin burning off fat stores as well as muscle mass in order to get enough energy.
What Does Keto Do To Your Body?
In short, the keto (or Ketogenic) diet is a low-carb and high-fat eating pattern that has been used to improve health and well-being for centuries.
But what keto does to your body is way beyond just losing weight; it completely changes how your body uses energy.
When you eat more fats and fewer carbs, your body starts breaking down fats in its tissues into fatty acids which are then converted into acetyl CoA (acetyl coones).
Your liver then converts those fatty acids into three primary ketone bodies: acetone, acetoacetic acid, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid.
They’re eventually released through urine or breath as a result of oxidation or they can be utilized by many different cells in your body including brain cells.
Why Do You Sweat So Much On Keto?
It’s completely normal to feel a little hot when you’re eating keto.
After all, your body is using fat for energy instead of carbohydrates, which means you burn way more calories than usual (around 1,400 per day if you’re going by your height and weight).
However, excessive sweating is just another unwanted side effect of dropping carbs from their diet for some people.
It can be embarrassing if it happens at work or in public places—but luckily there are ways to manage it.
Does Ketosis Raise Body Temperature?
The ketogenic diet (KD) is an eating plan that can help improve overall health and fitness, including body temperature.
However, as with any major change in your diet or lifestyle, there may be some initial adverse side effects while your body adapts to using fat instead of glucose for energy.
When you first start out on a KD, you may notice sweating more easily than normal.
This is completely normal and nothing to worry about; however, if these changes persist or seem severe enough to cause you concern, it’s best to check in with your doctor and make sure everything is OK.
As long as keto isn’t negatively impacting your health, it’s safe to continue following a KD for weight loss and better overall wellness.
Related Post: Will I Lose Muscle If I Go Vegan
Is Ketosis Dangerous?
While ketosis is a natural process, you may be surprised to learn that it can be dangerous if not managed correctly.
Excessive thirst and hunger are common symptoms of ketoacidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
This condition occurs when blood glucose levels are extremely high and one’s body begins using fat stores for energy instead of sugar.
The results include acid buildup in your blood, which can lead to coma or death if not treated quickly.
DKA is most often seen in type 1 diabetics who have poorly controlled insulin levels; however, it can also develop from carbohydrate restriction when someone consumes fewer than 50 grams of carbohydrates a day.
To avoid complications, keep an eye out for these signs of ketoacidosis: extreme thirst, dry mouth, frequent urination, drowsiness, and fatigue.
If you experience any of these symptoms while following a low-carb diet, contact your doctor immediately.
He or she will likely recommend increasing carbs slowly until your ketoacidosis has subsided.
In some cases, he or she might even suggest switching to another diet plan altogether.
Your body needs plenty of water and electrolytes during all stages of dieting—especially during low-carbohydrate diets like keto—so make sure you stay hydrated!
If you need some help with that, check out our guide to cutting through all of the supplements noise here. You might just find what works best for your goals!
Ketosis Symptoms
Many people see weight loss as a primary benefit of entering ketosis. However, you may experience other symptoms.
Low-carb dieters sometimes report experiencing keto flu for a few days when their bodies adapt to burning fat for fuel instead of carbs.
Symptoms may include fatigue, headaches, and nausea.
In addition to these symptoms, some people also experience bad breath and a metallic taste in their mouth.
These side effects are usually temporary and should resolve within one week of being in ketosis.
If they don’t go away or become bothersome, it could be an indication that something else is going on that requires medical attention.
It’s important to talk with your doctor if you notice any changes in your health while following a low-carb diet plan like keto.
Related Post: Is Sugar Worse Than Fat?
Is Carb Cycling Healthier Than Keto?
Carbs.
The one thing you’re supposed to avoid at all costs if you want to maintain ketosis (that’s where your body burns fat for energy instead of carbs).
So why is everyone saying that carb cycling is healthier than the keto diet?
You can eat more veggies and not be in a calorie deficit by carb cycling, which means it’ll be easier to stay in ketosis.
With a cyclical diet plan, however, you’ll also be able to fit in one or two high-carb days each week without kicking yourself out of ketosis.
Carb cycling might seem like an easy way to lose weight quickly—and it might be—but as with any diet, there are pros and cons.
Before you make up your mind about whether or not carb cycling is right for you, here are some things to consider:
Related Post: Can You Build Muscles While You Fast?
Is Carb Cycling Healthier Than Keto?
Carb cycling also helps you stay in ketosis—and reap all of its benefits—because of one simple fact: when you limit your carbohydrate intake, your body is burning fat instead of glucose.
If you have no carbs to burn, your body has no reason to make ketones (which are a byproduct of burning fat), so it has no reason to be in ketosis.
That said, if you consume too many carbs during a day that’s not designed for high-carb eating, there’s a chance that you will kick yourself out of ketosis as well.
This is because when you eat carbohydrates, your body will store them away until they’re needed.
I gave carb cycling a go for 30 days.
I made a youtube video documenting my results. Check it out below!
What Is Carb Cycling?
Carb cycling is simply alternating higher-carb and lower-carb days.
The idea is that low-carb days can help you lose fat without sacrificing your workouts, but still allow for recovery to take place.
High-carb days are great for building muscle.
However, it’s important to note that a high-carb day doesn’t mean eating whatever you want or indulging in junk food.
It just means eating more carbs than usual (typically 150–200 grams).
On high-carb days, it’s best to eat foods with plenty of nutrients in them like fruits and vegetables.
This way, even if you go over your carb limit slightly, at least you will be getting some vitamins and minerals from your food.
Related Post: 15 Intermittent Fasting Do’s And Don’ts
Keto Diet Side Effects Long-Term
Side effects are an inevitable part of any diet, and keto is no exception.
This diet isn’t for everyone, nor should it be considered a long-term approach.
The ketogenic diet can cause short-term side effects like headaches and nausea in some people, but there are also long-term side effects that may be more serious.
There’s nothing dangerous about following a ketogenic diet; however, there may be some mild discomfort when it comes to sticking to a new way of eating.
In other words, your body might not go with its usual routine while you’re following a strict dietary regimen.
Final Mop Up
I hope this article has given you more clarity on the Pros and Cons of the Keto diet. I am a personal trainer and I’ve experimented with a few diets over the years to see if they are all they claim to be.
I also experiment with my training and workouts a lot.
If you want to know how more about how you can start working out when and where you want.
Download your FREE copy of my Ebook. Train Wherever The F*ck You Want.