Does the Keto Diet Cause Constipation?
Does the keto diet cause constipation? The dietary adjustments associated with the keto diet can sometimes cause mild constipation. The ketogenic diet, more commonly called the keto diet, involves a severely restricted carbohydrate intake. People who follow the keto diet compensate for this reduction in carbohydrates by increasing their intake of high fat foods and eating moderate amounts of protein. Keep reading to learn more about the keto diet, including how it may cause constipation and how to treat it. What is a keto diet? When people think of carbohydrates, they often picture grain-based foods, such as bread and pasta. Although it is true that eating too many simple carbohydrates, such as refined sugar, can negatively affect people’s overall health, carbohydrates exist in both healthful and unhealthful foods. The main types of carbohydrates in food include sugar, starch, and fiber, which are present in fruits, vegetables, and grains. The term carbohydrate refers to a group of molecules that cells can break down into a simple sugar called glucose.
Glucose acts as the body’s primary source of energy because cells can easily convert it into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through a process called glycolysis. People who follow the keto diet consume very small quantities of carbohydrates, usually limiting the intake to less than 50 grams (g) per day. This restricted intake means that their body will need an alternative source of energy. In the beginning, the body will tap into its glycogen stores.
Does the keto diet cause constipation? The dietary adjustments associated with the keto diet can sometimes cause mild constipation. The ketogenic diet, more commonly called the keto diet, involves a severely restricted carbohydrate intake. People who follow the keto diet compensate for this reduction in carbohydrates by increasing their intake of high fat foods and eating moderate amounts of protein. Keep reading to learn more about the keto diet, including how it may cause constipation and how to treat it. What is a keto diet? When people think of carbohydrates, they often picture grain-based foods, such as bread and pasta. Although it is true that eating too many simple carbohydrates, such as refined sugar, can negatively affect people’s overall health, carbohydrates exist in both healthful and unhealthful foods. The main types of carbohydrates in food include sugar, starch, and fiber, which are present in fruits, vegetables, and grains. The term carbohydrate refers to a group of molecules that cells can break down into a simple sugar called glucose.
Glucose acts as the body’s primary source of energy because cells can easily convert it into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through a process called glycolysis. People who follow the keto diet consume very small quantities of carbohydrates, usually limiting the intake to less than 50 grams (g) per day. This restricted intake means that their body will need an alternative source of energy. In the beginning, the body will tap into its glycogen stores.