11/17/2019 / By Darnel Fernandez
The ketogenic diet, also known as the keto diet, has surged in popularity in recent years due to its ability to help people lose weight faster. This particular diet involves eating a minimal amount of carbs and high amounts of fat and protein to achieve a metabolic state called ketosis. Ketosis only happens when the body doesn’t have enough carbohydrates to burn for energy. In the absence of carbs, the body begins to burn stored fat for fuel, resulting in weight loss. Unfortunately, this metabolic state has unwanted — albeit temporary — side effects, the most common of which is keto breath.
Making healthy changes to your diet and overall lifestyle could help you achieve your desired weight. Changing the number of calories you take also means that changing the kinds of food you eat, which could cause certain side effects. (Related: The keto diet: Tips to make sure that the eating plan is working for you.)
One of the side effects of the keto diet is keto breath. Keto breath is quite different from ordinary bad breath or halitosis because it produces a distinct taste and odor in the mouth. People describe keto breath as a pungent smell that could leave a metallic taste in your mouth. Sometimes, your breath could smell fruity or have a smell similar to nail polish remover.
To understand how the keto diet induces keto breath, you need to know how ketosis works. As previously mentioned, the keto diet restricts carbohydrate intake so that the body is forced to use its fat reserves as an energy source once all the glucose has been depleted. Fatty acids produced from the breakdown of fat are then converted into chemicals called ketone bodies. These chemicals include acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone. Acetone is the main ingredient of nail polish removers, so your breath will smell exactly like that while you’re in ketosis.
While having keto breath is an indication that you’re in ketosis, it is nevertheless an undesirable side effect. Thankfully, keto breath can be reduced or masked. Keto breath will disappear once your body adapts to the keto diet, which usually takes a couple of weeks. For those looking to reduce keto breath, here are a few tips:
The keto diet is a useful diet that helps you achieve your weight loss goals, but you have to deal with one undesirable side effect. Thankfully, there are remedies that can help you eliminate keto breath so you don’t have to suffer while your body adjusts to this healthy diet.
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Tagged Under: Bad Breath, carbohydrates, functional foods, health tips, hydration, keto breath, keto diet, ketone bodies, ketosis, natural cures, natural health, natural medicine, nutrients, oral health, oral hygiene, prevention, remedies, side effects, weight loss
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