Generally, people on a low-carb, high-fat diet like the ketogenic diet can expect ketosis to kick in after 2-4 days. It can be sooner for some and longer for others, depending on their diet, lifestyle, age, and metabolism. You can also achieve ketosis faster with a few easy science-backed tips, which we discuss in this blog. It is also important to know about a rare side-effect of ketoacidosis and how you can reduce the risk of developing it. Let's dive in!
Watching what you eat, fasting, and exercising can help your body reach ketosis faster.
Low-carb diets are linked to weight loss and numerous health benefits, including higher levels of good cholesterol, improved hemoglobin A1C, and decreased plasma triglyceride levels [1]. When your body gets less carbs from food, it burns the stored fat for energy and releases compounds called ketones into the blood to fuel your brain and muscle cells. As the body burns fat efficiently, losing weight becomes less challenging. The trick, of course, is to achieve ketosis and maintain it over short periods. This can be an issue in the following situations:
A low-carb diet like keto limits carb intake to 5-10% of total calories [2]. Any more can potentially prevent you from achieving ketosis fast. Quite often, this results from unintentionally consuming hidden sources of carbs. For example, one tablespoon of ketchup is Keto-friendly, but any more and the carbs will add up quickly. Dijon mustard has negligible carbs, but honey mustard dressing packs more of them. A quick review of your pantry's condiment labels should clarify things.
On a low-carb diet, the standard advice is to get an average of 70-80% fat from total daily calories [3]. Aim for high-quality fats like nuts, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel. If you enjoy eating eggs, they can also form a part of your diet. While eggs contain some saturated fat, which raises cholesterol levels in the body, they also happen to be a source of healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (MUFAs and PUFAs), which improve blood cholesterol levels and help regulate insulin levels.
Track your carb and fat intake. Counting carbs becomes easy once you get into the habit of checking food labels. Also, pay attention to the type of fats you consume, prioritize healthy MUFAs and PUFAs, and eliminate unhealthy saturated fat.
When you exercise, your body's carb reserves deplete quickly [4]. Your body then metabolizes fat for energy. So, working out is a simple way to achieve ketosis.
You may be aware of intermittent fasting, a fasting schedule over a short period followed by regularly eating again. This eating pattern can help you reach a state of ketosis [5].
Intermittent fasting usually lasts 12-40 hours. Avoid abstaining from eating for over 24 hours if you experience side effects like fatigue, headaches, lightheadedness, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, or irritability, which can affect your personal or work life. Stay hydrated with water, herbal teas, and coconut water throughout the day.
Exercise could boost results from intermittent fasting for ketosis. A study by Brigham Young University published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise found that it is important to exercise intensely at the start of a fast can help with ketosis [6]. In the study, 20 healthy adults completed two 36-hourfasts, first without exercise and following a treadmill workout. When exercising, they entered ketosis on average three and half hours earlier in the fast. Without exercise, they achieved ketosis 20-24 hours into the fast.
When starting the ketogenic diet, it’s natural to run into some hurdles that might slow down your progress or prevent you from reaching ketosis. Many of these challenges come from common, easy-to-make mistakes that can throw you off course without you even realizing it. Whether it’s hidden carbs, overeating protein, or not staying hydrated, these missteps can hinder your body’s ability to enter a fat-burning state.
However, simply cutting carbs without being mindful of other nutrients like fats and proteins can still derail your progress. Here are the key mistakes to watch out for and how to avoid them.
Even though you're focused on staying under the recommended carb limit, hidden sources of carbohydrates can sneak into your diet and prevent ketosis [7]. For example, foods like ketchup or honey mustard dressing might seem harmless in small amounts, but the carbs can quickly add up if not tracked. A quick review of your pantry's condiment labels can prevent unintentional carb overload. This highlights the importance of closely monitoring every ingredient, even when you think you're on track.
On the flip side, many people overlook the necessity of balancing their fat intake. Keto isn't just about restricting carbs; it's equally about ensuring you're consuming enough high-quality fats, which should make up 70-80% of your daily calories [7]. Without adequate fat, your body won’t efficiently switch to burning stored fat for energy, which can slow down your entry into ketosis. Focusing only on carbs and protein, while neglecting the proper fat intake, can prevent you from reaping the full benefits of ketosis [7].
One of the lesser-known effects of the ketogenic diet is that it can cause your body to lose water and electrolytes more rapidly, especially in the beginning. This happens because reducing carbs lowers insulin levels, which signals your kidneys to excrete more sodium. As a result, you may experience dehydration, fatigue, or the infamous "keto flu." To avoid this, make hydration a top priority by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. You should also replenish key electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, by adding foods like avocados, leafy greens, and bone broth to your meals or taking supplements if necessary [7]. Staying hydrated and balancing electrolytes will help you feel better and make the transition into ketosis smoother.
By keeping these common mistakes in mind and making small adjustments to your daily routine, you can avoid unnecessary setbacks and enhance your chances of reaching and maintaining ketosis.
Inducing ketosis with a low-carb, high-fat diet, known as nutritional ketosis, is different from ketoacidosis, a condition in which the ketone levels of the body surge to dangerously high levels and enter your bloodstream and urine. Ketoacidosis is a rare complication of type 1 diabetes and can cause coma, swelling in the brain, or even death. Rarely, ketoacidosis can occur in non-diabetics on a low-carb diet.
On a low-carb diet, it is pretty normal to have blood ketone levels in the range of 0.5-3.0 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).You can quickly check for ketones in urine using Ketonox urinalysis test strips. The strips have reagent pads that produce a color change to indicate safe or high ketone levels in the body. At-home testing using Ketonox is quick and cost-effective. You can stay on top of your keto diet while remaining in the optimal range for nutritional ketosis.
[1] G. Boden, K. Sargrad, C. Homko, M. Mozzoli, T. P. Stein, "Effect of a low-carbohydrate diet on appetite, blood glucose levels, and insulin resistance in obese patients with type 2 diabetes," Ann Intern Med. 2005 Mar 15;142(6):403-11.
[2] J. Migala, “Answers to 15 Burning Questions About the Keto Diet,” Everyday Health, [Accessed July 3, 2022].
[3] Harvard Staff, “Diet Review: Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss,” Harvard School of Public Health. Accessed July 3, 2022.
[4] J. H. Koeslag, L. I. Levinrad, J. D. Lochner, and A. A. Sive, “Post-exercise ketosis in post-prandial exercise: effect of glucose and alanine ingestion in humans,” J. Physiol., vol. 358, pp. 395-403, Jan. 1985.
[5] C. Lichtash, J. Fung, K. C. Ostoich, M. Ramos, "Therapeutic use of intermittent fasting and ketogenic diet as an alternative treatment for type 2 diabetes in a normal weight woman: a 14-month case study," BMJ Case Rep. 2020 Jul 7;13(7):e234223.
[6] BYU Staff, “Exercising at the start of fast can help people reach ketosis 3.5 hours faster: study,” Brifham Young University on Medical Express. Accessed July 3, 2022.
[7] E. K. Sloan, "Common Keto Mistakes You May Make and How to Avoid Them," Everyday Health, Feb. 25, 2020. [Accessed: Oct. 23, 2024].
Ariana Paige is a psychology major with a passion for writing about various health issues. She is dedicated to improving healthcare and is thrilled to be working with Diagnox; a company committed to advancing its mission to serve individuals for better health. With a strong background in psychology and a deep understanding of the importance of mental and physical well-being, Ariana can bring a unique perspective to her writing and contribute valuable insights to the healthcare industry. Whether through her articles or her work with Diagnox, Ariana is dedicated to helping people live healthier, happier lives.
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