Keto Slimfast Diarrhea: What You Need To Know

The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carb eating plan that has become popular in recent years. While it can be effective for weight loss, it can also lead to some unfortunate gastrointestinal side effects, such as keto diarrhea. This is caused by the high-fat content of the diet, which can be hard for the body to digest, as well as artificial sweeteners and changes to the gut microbiome. In most cases, keto diarrhea tends to be a temporary issue that resolves as the body adjusts to the new diet. However, for some people, it can be a long-term side effect.

High-fat content

The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan. The body usually uses carbohydrates as an energy source, but when there is a lack of carbohydrates, the body enters a state called ketosis, where it burns fat instead of glucose for energy.

The keto diet is typically 65-90% fat, which can be challenging for the body to break down and metabolise. This is because fat takes longer to break down than carbohydrates or protein. As a result, the body may struggle to keep up with the breakdown and absorption of fat, leading to malabsorption. This means that some of the fat consumed is not broken down properly and is excreted in the stool, resulting in diarrhoea.

The high-fat content of the keto diet can also lead to other gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, bloating, and constipation. This is because the body needs to produce more bile to digest the increased amount of fat. Bile is a natural laxative, so an excessive amount may push waste through the digestive tract faster than usual, contributing to diarrhoea.

Additionally, the high-fat content of the keto diet may also impact the gut microbiome. Some studies have found that diets high in fat can cause inflammation of the digestive tract and unfavourable changes in the gut microbiome, which may further contribute to gastrointestinal issues.

To summarise, the high-fat content of the keto diet can lead to diarrhoea due to the body's difficulty in breaking down and absorbing large amounts of fat, as well as the increased production of bile and potential changes in the gut microbiome.

Bile acid malabsorption

Bile acid is a liquid substance produced by the liver to aid in food digestion. Bile helps break down fats in the stomach when food is being digested and also carries waste out of the digestive system. The gallbladder stores around half of the bile produced and releases the right amount into the stomach to break down fat content.

Causes

There are three types of bile acid malabsorption:

• Type I: This occurs when there is a problem in the part of the small intestine (ileum) where re-absorption takes place. Causes include inflammation or removal of the ileum, due to conditions such as Crohn’s disease or cancer treatment.
• Type II: This is when no definitive cause can be found and is known as primary bile acid malabsorption.
• Type III: This can result from other diseases or conditions within the abdomen such as gallbladder removal, coeliac disease, chronic pancreatitis, radiotherapy or small bowel bacteria overgrowth.

Symptoms

The main symptom of bile acid malabsorption is diarrhoea. Other symptoms include:

• Stomach problems: such as bloating, cramping abdominal pain and excessive wind.
• Watery bowel movements
• A sense of urgency when needing to go
• Incontinence or leaking

Diagnosis

Treatment

Treatment for bile acid malabsorption includes medication and dietary changes. Medication such as Colestyramine and Colestipol can help to bind to the bile acid in the small intestine and prevent them from irritating the large intestine. Dietary changes include keeping to a strict low-fat diet (40g of fat per day).

Artificial sweeteners

On a keto diet, people may consume more artificial sweeteners as they seek low-carb alternatives to sugary foods and drinks. This increased consumption of artificial sweeteners can lead to keto diarrhea, a common side effect of the keto diet. Keto diarrhea is characterized by loose, watery stools and can be caused by various factors, including the high-fat content of the diet, a decrease in fiber intake, and changes in gut bacteria.

To alleviate keto diarrhea, it is recommended to avoid artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols. Instead, focus on increasing fiber intake, staying hydrated, and slowly easing into the keto diet to give your body time to adjust.

Gut microbiome changes

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, and moderate-protein diet that forces the body to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. This shift in metabolism is called ketosis. While the keto diet has been shown to aid weight loss and improve fat oxidation, it can also cause gastrointestinal (GI) problems, such as diarrhea.

Causes of GI Problems

The keto diet can cause GI problems due to the following reasons:

• High-Fat Content: The keto diet's high-fat content may be difficult for the body to adjust to, leading to malabsorption of fat and steatorrhea, a type of diarrhea caused by excess fat in the stool.
• Low-Fiber Content: The keto diet's restriction of carbohydrates can lead to a decrease in fiber intake, which is important for preventing diarrhea.
• Changes in Gut Microbiome: The keto diet can cause unfavorable changes in the gut microbiome, reducing the abundance of beneficial bacteria and potentially leading to GI problems.
• Increase in Bile Production: The high-fat diet requires the liver to release more bile, which can act as a natural laxative and speed up waste elimination, leading to diarrhea.
• Artificial Sweeteners: The keto diet may lead to increased consumption of artificial sweeteners, which can have a laxative effect and cause diarrhea.

Tips to Relieve Symptoms

To relieve GI problems caused by the keto diet, you can try the following:

• Increase Fiber Intake: Consuming more fiber-rich foods, such as greens, cucumbers, broccoli, and cabbage, can help relieve constipation and diarrhea.
• Reduce Dairy Intake: The keto diet may lead to increased dairy consumption, which can cause diarrhea, bloating, and gas in those with lactose intolerance.
• Ease into the Diet: Gradually reducing carbs and increasing fats may help the body adapt better and reduce GI problems.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking water and sugar-free electrolyte beverages can help replace lost fluids and electrolytes, improving constipation and diarrhea.
• Probiotics and Prebiotics: Taking probiotic supplements or consuming probiotic- and prebiotic-rich foods can support gut bacteria and reduce GI effects of the keto diet.
• Fermented Foods: Eating fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi can improve digestion and reduce constipation or diarrhea.
• Reduce Sugar Substitutes: Cutting back on keto-friendly sugar substitutes may help relieve gastrointestinal symptoms.

When to See a Doctor

If you experience severe or persistent diarrhea or constipation while on the keto diet, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional. For most people, extreme diets like keto are not necessary for weight loss or improving health. Less restrictive dietary patterns can often produce similar benefits without uncomfortable side effects.

Nutrient deficiencies

The keto diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and very low-carbohydrate diet. It is known to increase the risk for multiple nutrient deficiencies. This is due to the restriction of carbohydrates and the effects of the diet on how the body processes certain nutrients.

Calcium

People on long-term keto diets often lose too much calcium in their urine, in addition to having acidic urine. High-fat diets can increase the amount of acid generated by the body, which the kidneys must filter out to maintain a stable blood pH. This leads to lower urine pH. Calcium from bones is also used to buffer the increased acid production, leading to higher calcium loss in the urine and lower bone density.

Magnesium

Magnesium is another mineral that has been observed to decrease substantially on a long-term keto diet. This mineral is extremely important for our bodies to produce energy, and it is required for nerve cells and brain function. Deficiency has been associated with a range of conditions, including heart disease and migraines. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include muscle cramps, headaches, anxiety, nervousness, and constipation.

Iron

Even though keto diets usually involve eating ample quantities of meat, they also tend to reduce iron levels. Iron is needed for energy production and making red blood cells, and deficiency can cause fatigue and trouble breathing during exercise. Evidence suggests that iron deficiency may develop due to reduced absorption of iron caused by high amounts of fat.

Sodium

Insulin increases the absorption of sodium by the kidneys, and because the keto diet decreases insulin levels, the body expels more sodium than normal.

Potassium

Like sodium, potassium loss increases during the first couple of weeks on a keto diet and is partly responsible for the flu-like symptoms commonly experienced by new adherents. Potassium helps balance fluids, maintain blood pressure, and helps nerves and muscles communicate. Because it also helps reduce calcium loss in the urine, it is especially important on a keto diet.

Selenium

Research and clinical experience in epileptic children on keto diets have found the diet to decrease selenium levels and cause deficiencies in the long run. High-fat foods tend to be low in selenium, which is why keto diets can lead to lower selenium levels.

Carnitine

Carnitine is a compound made from amino acids that are found in abundant quantities in the heart and muscles. It helps transport fatty acids to the mitochondria, where they are used to make energy. The body can make carnitine, but 75% of our daily requirements come from our diet (mainly from meat and dairy). Because carnitine is needed to burn fat, it’s used up much quicker on a keto diet.

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