Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by AltanS 4544 days ago
Maybe I can answer this question, been on a ketogenic diet for over a year now. As mentioned above there is an adaptation period to the diet that can take up to 4 weeks. During that time symptoms can be flu like, this is caused by an initial hormonal change due to low blood glucose levels and in return a low and stable insulin level. Because of this the kidney excretes more sodium, potassium and water, leading to low blood pressure. This can be prevented by supplementing broth, or adding more salt to servings, for as long as the symptoms occur. Once this phase is over you get to experience the real benefits of a ketogenic diet, constant energy levels throughout the day, controllable hunger, better sleep, elevated HGH and more. It really sounds too good to be true I guess, which is why a lot of people dismiss it right away. I'd encourage anyone to give it a try, at least 4 weeks however to ensure adaptation.
2 comments

This is pretty much the "reset fast" that is advocated by the "Engineering the Alpha" book.
HGH? Human Growth Hormone? Just curious, what benefit does this provide?
From the wikipedia page: "In addition to increasing height in children and adolescents, growth hormone has many other effects on the body: - Increases calcium retention, and strengthens and increases the mineralization of bone - Increases muscle mass through sarcomere hypertrophy - Promotes lipolysis - Increases protein synthesis - Stimulates the growth of all internal organs excluding the brain - Plays a role in homeostasis - Reduces liver uptake of glucose - Promotes gluconeogenesis in the liver - Contributes to the maintenance and function of pancreatic islets - Stimulates the immune system"