Keto Diet: Friend Or Foe To Low Estrogen?

The keto diet is a popular weight-loss strategy that involves eating a high-fat, very low-carb diet. While it can be an effective approach to weight loss, it can also have some unexpected side effects, especially for women. One of the potential downsides of the keto diet is its impact on estrogen levels. Estrogen is a hormone responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle, and when weight drops, estrogen levels tend to decrease as well. This can lead to irregular or absent periods, also known as amenorrhea. Additionally, low estrogen levels can cause other health concerns such as vaginal dryness and an increased risk of bone loss.

The keto diet may also affect other hormones in the body. For example, a study found that the keto diet increased levels of the appetite-regulating hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 in female participants. The keto diet has also been linked to increased levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. While the keto diet can have some benefits, it's important to be aware of these potential impacts on hormone levels, especially for women.

Keto may cause weight gain in women due to estrogen blocking ketosis

The keto diet is a popular weight-loss approach that involves a high-fat, very low-carb regimen. While it can lead to weight loss and offer other health benefits, it may also cause irregular periods or amenorrhea (the disappearance of the monthly cycle) in some women. This effect is likely due to the rapid weight loss associated with the keto diet, which can disrupt the normal release of hormones from the brain, affecting ovulation and leading to decreased estrogen levels.

Estrogen and Ketosis:

The presence of normal levels of estrogen in premenopausal women appears to limit or even block ketosis, which is the metabolic state where the body burns fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. A study using mouse models found that male mice on the keto diet lost weight, while female mice gained weight. When the female mice had their ovaries removed to eliminate estrogen, they lost body fat, indicating that estrogen may play a role in blocking ketosis.

Correcting Estrogen Imbalance:

Estrogen dominance, or having higher levels of estrogen than progesterone, can lead to weight gain and problems with blood sugar control. An estrogen detoxification protocol can help correct this imbalance by supporting the liver in metabolizing estrogen more efficiently. This protocol involves a high-fiber diet rich in cruciferous vegetables, which positively affect estrogen metabolism.

Keto Tips for Women:

Even with an estrogen detox program, some women may struggle to achieve and maintain ketosis. Supplementation with ketone salts can help induce ketosis and relieve discomforts associated with the "keto flu." Additionally, women following the keto diet should ensure adequate intake of magnesium, iron, and calcium to maintain bone strength.

Clean Keto vs. Dirty Keto:

Clean keto involves adhering to healthy sources of macronutrients, such as wild-caught salmon, organic eggs, and avocados. It also emphasizes the consumption of low-carb vegetables, berries, seeds, and nuts to provide essential micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Dirty keto, on the other hand, allows macronutrients to come from any source, leading to the consumption of low-quality fats, excess salt, and food additives. While both approaches may lead to initial weight loss, dirty keto can stall weight loss, cause inflammation, and lead to nutrient deficiencies, ultimately resulting in estrogen dominance and abandonment of the diet.

Estrogen detoxification can help women achieve better results with keto

The ketogenic diet, or keto, is a popular approach to weight loss and has been linked to other health benefits. However, it can also have some unexpected effects on women's hormonal balance and menstrual cycles. In some cases, women who adopt keto may experience irregular periods or even amenorrhea, the disappearance of their monthly cycle. These changes are likely due to the quick weight loss that can occur with keto, as well as the diet's impact on estrogen levels.

How Keto Affects Estrogen and the Menstrual Cycle

The keto diet involves a drastic reduction in carbohydrate intake, typically limiting carbohydrates to around 20-50 grams per day. This shift can lead to rapid weight loss as the body burns fat instead of carbs through a process called ketosis. While weight loss is often a desired outcome, it can also result in a decrease in estrogen levels, which are responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle. As weight drops, estrogen levels tend to follow suit. This can lead to irregular or absent periods, also known as amenorrhea.

Additionally, keto may disrupt the release of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which plays a crucial role in stimulating ovarian production of estrogen and progesterone, essential for ovulation. These hormonal changes can further contribute to menstrual irregularities.

The Role of Estrogen Detoxification

Estrogen detoxification can be a crucial step for women considering the keto diet. Estrogen dominance, or having higher levels of estrogen compared to progesterone, is a common issue for women between the ages of 15-50. This imbalance can be caused by various factors, including diet, stress, liver function, and exposure to environmental toxins.

An estrogen detoxification protocol can help correct this imbalance by supporting the liver in metabolizing estrogen more efficiently and reducing the presence of harmful metabolites. This protocol typically involves a high-fiber diet rich in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, which have been shown to positively impact estrogen metabolism.

Achieving Better Results with Keto

By addressing estrogen dominance through detoxification, women can set themselves up for better results with the keto diet. Here's how:

• Improved ketosis: Estrogen dominance can hinder ketosis, making it challenging for some women to achieve and maintain this fat-burning state. By correcting the imbalance, women may find it easier to enter and sustain ketosis.
• Weight management: Estrogen detoxification can help manage weight gain associated with estrogen dominance. With a more balanced hormonal profile, women may find it easier to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
• Menstrual regularity: By supporting healthy estrogen levels, detoxification can help regulate the menstrual cycle. This can lead to more predictable and regular periods, reducing the risk of amenorrhea.
• Hormonal balance: Estrogen detoxification aims to restore a healthier balance between estrogen and progesterone. This balance is crucial for overall hormonal health and can have positive effects beyond the menstrual cycle.
• Enhanced keto experience: By addressing estrogen-related challenges, women may find the keto diet more manageable and effective. This can lead to better adherence to the diet and potentially greater weight loss and health benefits.

In conclusion, estrogen detoxification can be a powerful tool for women considering the keto diet. By correcting estrogen dominance, women can improve their chances of achieving ketosis, managing their weight, and regulating their menstrual cycles. As always, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or detoxification program to ensure a safe and effective approach.

Keto may cause irregular or absent periods due to weight loss and low estrogen

The keto diet can cause irregularities in the menstrual cycle, and in some cases, periods may stop altogether. This phenomenon is called amenorrhea. Amenorrhea is one of the main side effects of the keto diet, along with weight loss.

Dramatic changes to your diet, such as those that occur with keto, can lead to hormonal changes that may influence your menstrual cycle. The keto diet can result in quick weight loss because it causes your body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates through a process called ketosis. John Thoppil, a board-certified obstetrician-gynaecologist, attributes changes in the menstrual cycle to weight loss rather than keto specifically.

Irregular or absent periods can be traced to hormone changes. Estrogen is one of the main hormones in play here, responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle. As weight drops, so do estrogen levels. A decrease in estrogen levels can cause vaginal dryness and an increased risk of bone loss, such as osteoporosis.

Another hormone that affects the menstrual cycle is the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH signals the pituitary production of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which stimulate ovarian production of estrogen and progesterone, and therefore ovulation. A disruption in GnRH causes reduced estrogen, which can disrupt ovulation and lead to amenorrhea.

While the keto diet may cause period irregularities due to weight loss and decreased estrogen levels, it may also help restore regular periods in overweight people with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The keto diet can help decrease inflammation and insulin resistance, which may be to blame for higher insulin levels in people with PCOS. Losing weight on the keto diet can also help alleviate PCOS symptoms.

Keto may help balance insulin levels and reduce insulin requirements

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat approach to eating. It can be beneficial for normalising blood sugar and metabolic syndrome by reducing insulin resistance. The diet typically contains 75% fat, 20% protein, and only 5% carbohydrates. The goal is to get the body into a state of ongoing ketosis, where ketone bodies, not glucose, are burned for fuel.

The keto diet may help balance insulin levels and reduce insulin requirements. Studies suggest that reducing carbohydrate intake can lead to decreased insulin requirements and help insulin sensitivity.

One study found that a ketogenic diet improved insulin sensitivity in women with endometrial and ovarian cancer. Another study found that a low-carbohydrate diet had a lower risk of postmenopausal weight gain than other diet types.

The keto diet may also help to reduce insulin resistance, which is a defect in the insulin-mediated control of glucose metabolism. Insulin resistance is often associated with overweight and obesity and can lead to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

The keto diet can help to improve insulin sensitivity by reducing visceral fat, which affects insulin sensitivity more than subcutaneous fat. It can also help to improve skeletal muscle mitochondrial capacity and efficiency, optimising fat oxidation and improving metabolic health markers.

Additionally, the keto diet can help to reduce liver fat depots and improve liver insulin sensitivity. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is closely related to type 2 diabetes, and the keto diet has been shown to rapidly and markedly reduce liver fat.

Keto may not be suitable for women with certain pre-existing health conditions

The keto diet is a high-fat, very low-carb approach that has been linked to weight loss and other health benefits. However, it is not suitable for everyone, especially women with certain pre-existing health conditions.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not follow the keto diet unless under a physician's care. This is because the keto diet can be stressful to the body and may negatively impact the health of both the mother and the child.

History of Eating Disorders

The keto diet is highly restrictive and can be challenging to maintain. For individuals with a history of eating disorders, this type of diet may trigger unhealthy eating patterns or disordered eating behaviours.

Liver or Kidney Disease

The keto diet requires the liver to produce ketone bodies and can put a lot of strain on this organ. For individuals with liver disease, the keto diet could worsen their condition.

Similarly, the kidneys help metabolize protein, and the high protein content of the keto diet may overload them. Therefore, individuals with kidney disease should avoid the keto diet.

Alcohol or Substance Use Disorders

The keto diet is not recommended for individuals with alcohol or substance use disorders. This is because the diet may interfere with the treatment and recovery process for these disorders.

Disorders Affecting Fat Metabolism

The keto diet is high in fat, and for individuals with disorders affecting fat metabolism, this can lead to adverse health outcomes.

Nutritional Deficiencies

The keto diet restricts many food groups, and individuals with nutritional deficiencies may be at risk of further deficiencies if they follow this diet. It is essential to address any nutritional deficiencies before considering the keto diet.

In addition, the keto diet can be challenging for individuals with certain pre-existing health conditions, such as:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Thyroid issues
• Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression

Frequently asked questions