Pin One of the most difficult parts about a ketogenic diet is always wondering if you're in ketosis. This is especially the case if you're just starting your diet. Specifically you may want to know how long it takes to enter the state of ketosis. Unfortunately the answer is rather complex. And that's because there are a lot of factors that come into play such as your activity level the number of carbs that you're eating as well as your eating schedule. In most cases the body will start to produce ketones within a couple of days of starting the keto diet. However just because your body is producing ketones doesn't necessarily mean that you're keto-adapted. Let's take a moment to discuss the science behind ketosis and how long it takes to get into it. But first what is ketosis what are its benefits and what are the signs that you're in it? What Is Ketosis? The body needs energy and the carbs that you eat provides your body with this fuel. However if you don't consume enough carbs then your body starts to burn fat in order to get the energy that it needs. This switch from using carbs as energy to using fat as energy is referred to as ketosis. Pin What Are The Benefits? While ketosis is most known for its ability to help with weight loss there are several other awesome benefits. For instance those who enter into a state of ketosis often experience an increase in energy. Ketosis helps to alleviate mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. It protects against type 2 diabetes and gets rid of inflammation. Research shows that it's a great treatment for cancer and liver ailments.Ketosis has the ability to make you sleep soundly. It makes the brain sharper and you also experience fewer food cravings. Signs You're In Ketosis Now that you have a better idea of what ketosis is as well as it's benefits it's important that you recognize the signs that you're in this state. Here are a few of the most common. Bad Breath and Body OdorWhile ketosis can have a positive effect on your waistline it can also have a negative effect on your social life--at least for a little while. If you're in a state of ketosis you may notice that your breath and sweat areproducing foul odors. That's because whenever the body starts to use fat for energy it will create byproducts that will be eliminated through your breath urine and sweat. FatigueWhen you're eating fewer carbs you'll have less energy. This will often lead to feelings of fatigue and you may not feel like doing your normal exercise routine or performing your daily chores. While this stage may only last a couple of weeks this can be an exhausting period and is a definite sign that you're in ketosis. CrampsWhen you consume fewer carbs your mineral and electrolyte balance is completely thrown off. This can result in deficiencies--specifically when it comes to sodium potassium and magnesium. Unfortunately these three elements are essential for preventing cramps. ConstipationOne of the biggest signs that the body is in astate of ketosis is constipation. When you're eating a diet that's low in carbs it's easy to become deficient in fiber. Also when you don't eat carbs there's not as much water in your system. And this means that it can be difficult to poop. HeadachesHeadaches are another common side effect of a ketogenic diet. They're as a result of your eating fewer carbs.They can also occur when there's an imbalance of electrolytes. These headaches usually last up to a week. However the duration differs from person to person. More Focused Not all signs are negative. If you're in a state of ketosis you may find it easier to concentrate. As your headaches fade you'll notice that you have a sense of clarity and you're able to better focus. Pin Eating foods very low in carbs is key to getting into Ketosis. How Long Does It Take To Enter Ketosis? In many cases people judge the success of their diet by whether or not they've officially entered into the state of ketosis. And this leaves many to wonder how long it actually takes to enter this state. Unfortunately there's no hard and fast rule as no two people are exactly the same. Some individuals can eat a large number of carbs while still enjoying all of the benefits of ketosis. However there are those who must eat according to a strict regimen in order to see these benefits. This means that results can vary from person to person.Typically if you're eating a diet that includes 20-50 grams of carbs each day you can expect to enter into ketosis within 24 days. However there's also a chance that it could take several weeks. Factors That Affect How Long It Takes To Get Into Ketosis If you're interested in getting into ketosis it's important to remember that there are several things that can cause a delay in your progress. In most instances your delay may be caused by a simple miscalculation of carbs. You may be eating too many and this will prevent your body from creating ketones.There's also a chance that you may not be consuming enough fat. Most people should consume a minimum of 83125 grams of fat each day.Individuals who have trouble getting into ketosis may also be consuming too much protein. Too much protein can be converted into sugar and the sugar--a process that is referred to as gluconeogenesis. This will stop the production of ketones.Other factors that can impede your progress are lack of sleep and stress. There's also a chance that you may not be getting enough physical activity. Exercise is essential for ridding your body of carbs. Pin 3 Ways To Measure If Youre In Ketosis Luckily there are several methods that you can use to determine if you're in a state of ketosis. Specifically they all involve measuring your level of ketones. 1. Blood TestOne of the most accurate ways to measure your level of ketones is through blood testing. This can be done in a lab or at home with the help of a blood ketone meter. Blood tests measure your beta-hydroxybutyrate a ketone body that is also referred to as BHB. 2. Breath TestAnother great way to measure your level of ketosis is through your breath. Breath tests typically check for the ketone body acetone. While breath testing isn't as accurate as blood testing studies have shown that the breath can have a direct correlation to your BHB levels. 3. Urine TestPerhaps the easiest way to measure your state of ketosis is with the help of urinary test strips. These strips are best used immediately after dinner or early in the morning. How to Enter Ketosis Faster Would you like to get into a state of ketosis faster? In most cases this can be done by eating a clean ketogenic diet which includes mostly whole foods. However there are other tips that can help to accelerate the process.1. Be Careful With Your CarbsThe biggest factor in any ketogenic diet is carb restriction. When you consume fewer carbs your blood sugar levels remain low. And this means that your insulin levels are lower so your cells will start to burn fat and create ketones. Those who are more active can typically eat more carbs and remain in ketosis. However if you want to make sure that you get into a state of ketosis quickly you should consume no more than 20 grams each day. It's important that you track your carbs carefully--specifically you need to be on the lookout for the hidden carbs. Pay attention to those in salad dressings yogurts sauces and pasta. Your most vulnerable times are when you're eating at restaurants or traveling. 2. Eat More Fat If you would like to get into ketosis faster then you could always trade out your carbs for fat. A lot of people consider fat to be the enemy but it actually includes a ton of benefits. For instance it can help to build cell membranes. It helps you to absorb important vitamins such as K D and A. Fat also reduces cravings and helps with ketone production. The key is to eat healthy fats. Fill up on foods like coconut oil heavy cream goat cheese fatty fish olive oil and nut butter. Pin 3. Intermittent FastingThe benefit of fasting is that it forces your body to find an alternative energy source. Since carbs are depleted whenever you're active it will turn to your fat. Your body will burn fatty acids to give you the energy that you need.This tends to happen regardless of the number of carbs that you consume. However if you're interested in getting into ketosis fast you should combine intermittent fasting with a ketogenic diet. When you fast intermittently you break from eating at regular intervals.4. MCT OilMedium-chain triglyceride also known as MCT is excellent ketogenic food. This oil travels to the liver and converts to ketones.Research has shownthat just 20 grams of MCTs have the ability to boost ketone levels. Not only that but it can also improve mental performance.5. Get More ExerciseAnother important part of entering ketosis is getting more exercise. There are manystudies that showhow athletic performance is great for getting into a state of ketosis. Specifically it's a good idea to do some form of endurance training.Whenever you exercise it depletes the body of glycogen stores. In most instances these stores are replenished the next time you consume carbs which are then broken down and converted to glycogen. However if you minimize the number of carbs you eat your stores will remain low and your liver will increase ketone production. Types of Diets That Lead to Ketosis There are several ways to get into ketosis--from fasting to cutting the carbs. Let's take a brief look at a few types of diets that are known for their ability to put your body into ketosis. Standard KetoThe standard keto diet involves a lot of fat and encourages you to foods such as fatty meats and fish avocados olive oil and butter. This diet requires you to consume at least 150 grams of fat per day. This will lead to your body burning fat for energy. Targeted KetoThe targeted keto diet is the most popular among professional athletes. While it encourages you to eat fat it also takes into account physical activity. This means that you'll be allowed more grams of carbs. Cyclical KetoThe cyclical keto encourages you to go in and out of ketosis at regular intervals. The most common cyclical plan suggests that you eat a ketogenic diet five days a week and take two days off. On the off days it's suggested that you consume whole foods such as dairy products veggies and fruits rather than processed sugar. High-Protein Keto With the high-protein keto diet you eat 120 grams of protein and 130 grams of fat each day. While the carbs are still restricted there's always a chance that you may not enter into a state of ketosis. And that's because if you eat too much protein it could turn into glucose which your body will burn for energy instead of fat. Final Thoughts Ketosis can be extremely beneficial. Not only does it aid in weight loss but it can also help to reduce acne improve the function of your brain improve heart health and prevent disease. However it's important to keep in mind that there's no rule in regards to how long it takes to get into ketosis. While in many cases an individual can expect to get into ketosis within 2-4 days this varies from person to person. There are a number of factors that will affect how quickly you reach this state. Luckily there are ways to speed up the process. We love keto-friendly protein bars to help you eat keto even when you're out and about! 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