While I am a fully licensed physician in Kansas, this communication does not constitute personal medical advice or establish a physician-patient relationship. See your own physician to discuss your particular diagnosis and treatment
Most people can eat a low carbohydrate, high fat diet (LCHF). I have listed some reasons that you should not eat a LCHF diet: chronic kidney disease (later stage), pancreatitis, eating disorders, nutrient deficiencies, active gallbladder disease, active kidney stones, glycogen storage disease, porphyria, carnitine deficiency, carnitine palmitoyl-transferase deficiency, pyruvate carboxylase deficiency, and acyl-COA dehydrogenase deficiency.
Risks: Hyponatremia, kidney stones, gout, nutritional deficiencies, pancreatitis, constipation, and muscle cramps.
Assuming you would like to try a LCHF lifestyle, here are some possible benefits of LCHF lifestyle: weight loss, decreased blood glucose and insulin levels, decreased blood pressure, decreased inflammation, decreased acne, decreased acid reflux, reversal of PCOS, decreased pain, decreased cancer risk, decreased dementia risk, decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, decreased mental health disorders, increased energy level, and improved sleep.
Effects of LCHF eating are often most pronounced when first initiating this lifestyle change. More strict carbohydrate intake could intensify the symptoms. The symptoms often significantly diminish over time, unless you cycle in-and-out of the LCHF lifestyle. Some symptoms might include: fatigue, headache, muscle cramps, nausea, palpitations, trouble concentrating, decreased exercise tolerance, dizziness, constipation, and acetone breath.
LCHF lifestyle will result in loss of fluids and salt. This can sometimes cause electrolyte disturbances. This can result in fatigue, headache, muscle cramps, nausea, palpitations, dizziness, and weakness. You must drink plenty of water. You must use added salt on food and even in drinks. Consider ½ to 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of water 1 to 2 times daily if needed. You can make bouillon broth or use pickle juice as a good source of salt. To replace potassium, use avocado, leafy greens, and mushrooms. To replace magnesium, use pumpkin seeds, Chia seeds, mackerel, almonds, and leafy greens. Most people should also use a magnesium supplement of 400 mg daily.
LCHF lifestyle can cause constipation. Drinking plenty of water helps alleviate this. Use milk of magnesia for constipation if necessary. Use fiber from vegetable intake to assist with constipation.
LCHF lifestyle can cause low blood pressure. You need to change positions slowly to prevent dizziness and falls.
LCHF lifestyle commonly causes decreased appetite. If you are not hungry, do not eat, as it is common to transition to some form of fasting spontaneously. When you are in this phase of lifestyle change, conventional meal timing and snacks no longer need apply.
I hope this information helps you and your loved ones!
Jason Williams, D.O.