We’ve mentioned several of the keto flu’s most-common symptoms, which usually begin shortly after you start on keto and can last a few days or more. (You can experience similar symptoms if you try intermittent fasting, too.) Exhaustion and headaches aren’t the only symptoms you may suffer when starting a ketogenic diet; the complete list of possible symptoms may seem overwhelming at first. (4)(5)(6)

But it’s important to remember that they usually only last a few days, few people experience all of them, there are ways to mitigate them or shorten their duration – and some new dieters who are already in good physical shape don’t experience the keto flu at all.

Possible keto flu symptoms:

• Weakness and low energy levels
• Fatigue
• Muscle soreness or muscle cramps
• Irritability
• Sleep disruptions
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Brain fog
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Sugar cravings
• Stomach pain
• Body rash

None of these side effects are long-term problems for most who follow a ketogenic diet, and as we’ll discuss shortly, easing most of the symptoms isn’t difficult.

But why do they happen? Read on.

The keto flu is one of the major signs that the body is switching over from normal, carb-burning mode to ketosis, when it using ketones as its primary energy source. But medical experts aren’t exactly sure why the body reacts the way it does while entering ketosis.

What they do know is that a number of metabolic changes take place when the supply of carbs dries up, seemingly explaining many of the symptoms that new keto dieters experience.

• First, the pancreas releases a hormone called glucagon. (7) Glucagon tells the liver to begin converting the body’s limited store of unused glucose (which is called glycogen) and amino acids into energy. That process can lead to a small loss of muscle mass, which partially explains the weakness associated with the keto flu.
  
• The liver then begins producing ketones in two steps. First it breaks down stored fat into fatty acids and glycerol, and then it turns the fatty acids into ketones through a process called ketogenesis. (8)
  
• Meanwhile, the glycerol is converted into relatively-small amounts of glucose (in a different process known as gluconeogenesis) to maintain blood sugar levels, and to feed liver and red blood cells which are unable to survive on ketones. (9) That complicated series of changes takes an average of three days to be completed – the average length of the keto flu.
  
• That’s not all. Glycogen binds to water molecules, so when the body burns it, that water is released. And since carbs normally store much of the body’s retained water, a drastically-reduced carb intake means there’s more excess water than normal to expel as urine (or sweat). Add in the fact that ketones act as a mild diuretic, and you have frequent urination and potential dehydration. That explains more of the keto flu’s symptoms – as well as the initial rapid weight loss common on keto, which is really a loss of water weight.
  
• Here’s another factor. Fewer carbs means the pancreas doesn’t have to produce as much insulin as it used to. When insulin levels are lower, the kidneys release sodium. (10)  It’s expelled in urine, and other important electrolytes like potassium and magnesium go with it. Decreased electrolyte levels are believed responsible for some of the keto flu’s symptoms like headaches, muscle cramping and difficulty sleeping.
  
• Thyroid hormones are involved, too. When you reduce carbohydrate intake, your thyroid gland produces fewer of the hormones which regulate body functions like metabolism and temperature. (11) As the hormone levels slowly adjust, one temporary effect can be fatigue and even cognitive difficulty. At the same time, all of the major metabolic changes can cause release of the stress hormone cortisol, possibly explaining the irritation and sleep problems that often accompany the carb flu.
  
• Finally, it takes a few days for the brain to adjust to running on ketones instead of glucose. That can be another reason people experience the brain fog sometimes associated with the keto flu.

Two more symptoms of the keto flu are due to the big changes in the way the body creates and processes energy. However, they can last longer than just the few days before you achieve ketosis.

One issue is stomach pain or discomfort. It can be caused by the dramatic dietary changes associated with a keto meal plan, which affect the gut biome. (12) The pain almost always eases over time.

The other, believe it or not, is bad breath. But it’s actually a good sign, because it means you’re entering or have reached ketosis. The odor is caused by the ketone known as acetone, and you may recognize the smell as similar to the scent of nail polish remover. It can last throughout the time that you’re on the keto diet. (13)

How long does the keto flu last? Usually for only a few days after starting the keto diet, but some people find that it can take a week or even longer before the symptoms completely disappear. If the issues linger, it’s often because the dieter hasn’t properly followed keto guidelines and their body is having trouble achieving or maintaining ketosis. If you experience a long-lasting case of the keto flu, it pays to review what you’re eating to be sure you’re maintaining the proper fat and carb intake levels.

Knowing that the symptoms of the keto flu don’t last long doesn’t make it easier to endure them. What does help is providing your body with tools that can short-circuit the process and reach ketosis more quickly.

If you experience symptoms of the keto flu, there’s no magic button you can push to make them go away. Common sense steps help drastically, though; many keto dieters say these simple remedies can turn days of symptoms into a single day, and occasionally just hours.

Hydration and Electrolytes

You probably guessed one of the most important steps to ease the keto flu while reading the previous section: drinking plenty of water. Staying hydrated is crucial while enduring the flu, particularly since you’re urinating so frequently.

It’s also important to replace the sodium and other minerals being excreted in your urine. Being sure to salt your food can help with the sodium loss. However, many of the foods that normally supply potassium, like potatoes, beans and fruit are off-limits on the keto diet. Good alternate sources of potassium are avocado, mushrooms and leafy green vegetables. (14) Almonds, seeds and leafy greens are a good way to get extra magnesium. (15) You can also try commercially-available mineral supplements if desired.

Drinking bone broth is a good alternative to water, because it can also help with electrolyte replenishment. It can also help you retain the lean muscle mass often at risk during the first few days of keto. Avoid liquid electrolyte supplements, though, because they usually contain sugar that’s antithetical to the diet’s principles.

The first step to take whenever you’re starting the keto diet and feel tired, dizzy, nauseous or have a headache? Drink a glass of salt water (using half-a-teaspoon of salt). You’ll often feel better in half an hour.

Stay Calm and Don’t Push It

We’ve already mentioned the effects of cortisol, the stress hormone that can make you feel out of sorts while you’re trying to get into ketosis. Staying calm, getting plenty of rest, and skipping strenuous exercise until you’ve made it through the keto flu will prevent the release of extra cortisol, making the symptoms easier to take.

Meditation and low-intensity exercise (like walking), on the other hand, can help you deal with the keto flu and start the fat-burning process. If a slow, enjoyable walk still tires you out, you’re probably dehydrated or low on electrolytes.

Pay Attention to Fat

When starting any diet, it’s human nature to try to cut down on fat consumption (or the amount of food you eat). On keto it’s not just unnecessary, it’s counter-productive.

Food cravings are often associated with the keto flu. The primary reason people experience those cravings is that they’re not eating enough high-quality fat, which is needed to replace the calories eliminated by cutting carb intake. If your symptoms include nausea, vomiting or cramps, try altering your diet to temporarily replace coconut oil, palm oil or butter (medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs) with olive oil (a long-chain triglyceride).

You can lessen the symptoms of the keto flu by eating enough of the right keto diet foods. That includes consuming the proper amount of good fats, but not too much protein. If that still doesn’t help, cutting carbs out of the diet more slowly could be the best alternative; a dietitian may worth consulting.

Keto Supplements

If you do much reading about the ketogenic diet, you’ll see plenty of mentions of (and ads for) keto supplements called exogenous ketones. They supposedly jumpstart the process of reaching ketosis and staying there, and reports on their effectiveness are mixed. Some claim that they’re a good way to get into ketosis quickly. (16) But others say that supplying extra ketones to the body actually prevents the body from making enough ketones on its own to keep the body in a state of ketosis. (17)

In any case, they’re definitely not a good choice for dealing with the keto flu. First of all, ketone esters are the type of exogenous ketones that show the best results for those already in ketosis – but that’s not what you buy online when you purchase a keto supplement. Companies sell ketone salts, which aren’t the same and aren’t as effective.

A much better choice, if you’re having trouble getting into ketosis or dealing with a lingering case of the keto flu, is a supplement known as MCT oil. It helps the body produce its own ketones, known as endogenous ketones. Combined with magnesium and potassium supplementation, lots of hydration and lots of rest, even the worst case of keto flu is easily defeated – and real weight loss can begin.