Period Spotting on Keto Diet
The keto diet could stop your period — here's why
- Since the keto diet cuts out carbs, calories, and some nutrient-dense foods, it can cause issues like irregular periods.
- The keto diet can also mess with leptin and luteinizing hormones associated with your period.
- However, other factors (blood, health, and mental health) can also stop your period.
- It's best to discuss this topic with a medical professional before giving the keto diet a try on your own.
Although many believe that the keto diet can improve cholesterol levels and induce weight loss, the lack of carbs and calories encouraged on this diet plan can have major impacts on the body. A person's menstrual cycle is definitely something that can be affected by the diet, especially since the lack of nutrient-dense foods can lead to an abnormal cycle.
"Nutrient deficiencies could contribute to an abnormal menstrual cycle, and following a diet that cuts out a major macro-nutrient could create gaps in a woman's nutrition," said registered dietitian Crystal C. Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC . "As women, we need both adequate calories and nutrients to function normally and to maintain a regular menstrual cycle."
To see how else the keto diet can affect your period, we spoke to experts on the subject to help you understand what kind of impacts the low-carb and high-fat eating plan can have on your body. Below are some crucial points they recommend keeping in mind.
Lack of carbs on the keto diet can spell out issues for ovulation and menstruation
"Menstrual issues are not at all specific to the keto diet, but the thing which makes keto females more susceptible to such conditions is the near-lack of carbohydrates," said Caleb Backe, personal trainer and wellness expert . Keto is, after all, a low-carb high-fat diet, he said, and it has raised concerns with regards to ovulation and menstruation.
Cutting too many calories on the keto diet can lead to irregular periods
"The most common causes of irregular periods or amenorrhea (absence of a period for three months or more) are stress, too little carbohydrates, calorie restriction, and exercise," said registered nutritionist Vanessa Roster .
As many people use keto diets to lose weight, she explained that they often experience both a drastic drop in carbohydrates and calories. This explains why some people report that their periods stop once they embark on a keto diet, she added.
The keto diet can mess with your hormones that affect your period
"When too few calories and carbohydrates are consumed, a signal is sent to the body that insufficient energy is available," Roster suggested. As a result, she said many hormones will drop, such as leptin.
Although leptin is usually involved in metabolism and appetite control, she noted that studies are showing that leptin is crucially involved in regulations of the menstrual cycle and that people need a certain amount of leptin in order to have a normal period.
Losing your period also can be attributed to other factors
"It takes a lot for a human female to break her natural cycle through dieting," Backe suggested. Period issues are inherently connected with your health, your blood, your mental state, and more, he said.
It's important to talk to talk to a physician about any diet plan you choose
"Consulting with a physician is part of any serious dieting plan," Backe advised. Your doctor often knows your medical history, your overall health, and tendencies, and can usually offer some illuminating advice, he added.
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Source: https://www.insider.com/no-period-on-keto-2018-9