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Dawn Phenomenon and Physiological Insulin Resistance Have you been on a low-carb or ketogenic diet for some time no and perplexed why your morning blood glucose readings are on the high end? Did you know that it is quite common for long-term ketogenic dieters to have morning fasted blood glucose readings that average 100-125 mg/dl? This is rather common, albeit normal and sometimes referred to as Dawn Phenomenon or Physiological Insulin Resistance. Dawn Phenomenon is a natural rise in blood sugar because o a surge of hormones secreted at night which trigger your liver to dump sugar into your blood to...

Can you follow a ketogenic diet if you do not have a gallbladder? Many people have successfully maintained a low carb, ketogenic diet after gallbladder removal surgery it just requires a little more attention to what and when you eat. Those without gallbladders produce less bile, which is used to digest fat. The liver produces bile but may not be able produce enough to make up for the lack of gallbladder, which is the primary producer. Basically your body will no longer be able to regulate the bile that is released when anything in your stomach triggers that release. There...

Ketogenic Diet and Insomnia Many low-carb and ketogenic dieters often find sleep to be an issue once they eliminate carbohydrates. Insomnia is a common side effect of the diet but doesn’t have to stop you from following the diet. One of the reasons for insomnia on keto is from the lack of the amino acid L-tryptophan getting into the brain because of the reduction of carbohydrates. Tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin, serotonin converts to melatonin the sleep hormone. Some people find that taking take some 5HTP, which is a precursor for serotonin to help in this regard. Very low...

Are Ketostix useful - Should you use Ketostix to Measure Ketosis. Are they telling you what you want to know or just half the story? Seeing purple on the Ketostix doesn't also mean what you think it means. They measure excess ketones and only measure one of two major ketones and thus are unreliable for measuring whether you are in ketosis or not. You cannot use them to titrate your carbs. Factors affecting color/readings on the Ketostix: Dilution - drink more water, the Ketostix level changes and if you drink enough it will read negative...false negative result Excess ketones -...

Potassium Chloride vs Potassium Citrate for the ketogenic diet Did you know that an electrolyte imbalance is common when eating keto? In addition to sodium (which seems to be the most important mineral to take when on a ketogenic diet)  Potassium is a mineral needed by the body which often runs low on a keto diet. According to WebMD, symptoms of low potassium include: Weakness, tiredness, and cramping in arm or leg muscles, sometimes severe enough to cause inability to move arms or legs due to weakness (much like a paralysis) Tingling or numbness Nausea or vomiting Abdominal cramping, bloating...