Bad breath
People often report bad breath once they reach full ketosis. It’s actually a common side effect. Many people on ketogenic diets and similar diets, such as the Atkins diet, report that their breath takes on a fruity smell. This is caused by elevated ketone levels. The specific culprit is acetone, a ketone that exits the body in your urine and breath.
While this breath may be less than ideal for your social life, it can be a positive sign for your diet. Many ketogenic dieters brush their teeth several times per day or use sugar-free gum to solve the issue. If you’re using gum or other alternatives like sugar-free drinks, check the label for carbs. These may raise your blood sugar levels and reduce ketone levels.
Short-term fatigue
The initial switch to a ketogenic diet can be one of the biggest issues for new dieters. Its well-known side effects can include weakness and fatigue. These often cause people to quit the diet before they get into full ketosis and reap many of the long-term benefits. These side effects are natural.
After several decades of running on a carb-heavy fuel system, your body is forced to adapt to a different system. As you might expect, this switch doesn’t happen overnight. It generally requires 7–30 days before you are in full ketosis. To reduce fatigue during this switch, you may want to take electrolyte supplements.
