Author: Stephen Johnson / Source: Big Think
- In addition to weight loss, there are a few well-known side effects of the keto diet, some of which can be unpleasant.
- Some side effects of the keto diet are bound to occur, though others only happen when the diet is implemented poorly.
- The keto diet doesn’t have to lead to a host of negative side effects, but anyone considering undertaking the diet over the long term should be especially careful.
The keto diet is often called a fad diet. Make no mistake: it is. But unlike other trendy diets, the keto diet is unique because it actually pushes the body into an alternate, natural metabolic state called ketosis. When this happens, you can reliably expect a few negative side effects, notably those that come with the “keto flu.” But other side effects emerge only when people implement the keto diet poorly, typically by failing to eat balanced, nutrient-rich foods as a part of a high-fat, low-carb diet.
Here are a few of the worst side effects of the keto diet, most of which can be avoided with some careful planning.
Constipation
What’s likely to happen when you cut out common sources of fiber from your diet? Constipation. A 2015 study involving children on the keto diet showed that regular constipation was extremely common among participants, affecting about 65 percent of them.
“Many of the richest sources of fiber, like beans, fruit, and whole grains are restricted on the ketogenic diet,” registered dietician Edwina Clark told Everyday Health. “As a result, ketogenic eaters miss out on the benefits of fiber-rich diet such as regular laxation and microbiome support. The microbiome has been implicated in everything from immune function to mental health.”
Still, the keto diet doesn’t need to lead to fiber deficiency: avocados, flaxseed, almonds, pecans and chia seeds can all provide fiber while still keeping you in ketosis — when consumed in the right amounts.
Vitamin deficiency
Any diet that prohibits you from eating many types of fruits, vegetables and other foods is bound to leave you vulnerable to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and it’s for this reason many doctors only advise going on the keto diet over the short term.
“Keto is not a great long-term diet, as it is not a balanced diet,” says Nancy Rahnama, M.D., M.S., an internal medicine and bariatric specialist in Los Angeles. “A diet that is devoid of fruit and vegetables will result in long-term micronutrient deficiencies that…
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