Ketogenic Diet question

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Apologies if this is in the incorrect area...I searched and didn't quite find the right area.

Background- I'm a mid thirties nursing student in an program with a voracious reputation for reducing the cohort to very little, very quickly. As a result of the constant risk of failure, my body makes extra cortisol, stress increases glucose, etc...you know the physiology... After 2 years I had gained approximately 35-40 pounds (bonus!). After talking with another nursing student with a BS in Chemistry, the subject of Ketosis was discusses along with Ketogenic diets. I did my research from there and tried the approach for the past seven weeks, which netted a 32 pound reduction of nursing student mass, due to diet and diet alone.

Current- I'm within two weeks of my target weight, and preparing to transition off Ketosis, to a low carb, Paleo "type" diet, so the extreme is nearing a close. I'm currently adapted to the metabolic state, and the weather has cooperated so that I could take an hour out of my studies and go for a 5K cross country mountain bike ride on one of my favorite technical trails, first time since Keto- The ride went well overall, the muscle fatigue that I was encountering in the first two weeks was absent, and I had less than 5g of carbohydrates that day alone, so my body was running on the fat metabolism...good to go. I am in the South, and I am getting older but I have ridden this trail for a good while, and physically I had no issues at a quick pace...but I could not seem to get enough air into my lungs during this session. They were on fire, enough to slow me down more than once, with some sputum production just for fun. it IS pollen season here in a major way, and I have never had issues with allergies before, HOWEVER this really seemed to be an allergic or inflammatory issue, which resolved itself as I relaxed the pace.

Question- Anyone have any experience with exercise/activity differences with people in current ketosis? I know that my metabolic state should be leaning toward acidosis (but not in) due to the ketones, and is it seems possible that my lungs on fire are a result of trying to blow that off, or I study too much... Or could it just my aging self becoming more sensitive to allergens?

Sorry....lots here, just thought the whole story might help

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Have you considered discussing your self imposed dietary change with your physician? Any patient on a ketogenic diet has labs drawn before and while on the diet to monitor electrolytes, ketogenesis and watch for early signs of complications. I'm presuming you self imposed this extreme restriction of 5g CHO as opposed to consulting with a licensed/registered dietician and/or your PCP. Any extreme diet is not without risk and no one here can advise you either way on the Internet you really need to contact your PCP for advice.

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I have, my PHCP is a NP and had no issues with my labs, or my dietary change. As stated (by her, with a specialty in genetics) our bodies have the ability to run off of more than one type of metabolism, I just run off of a less than conventional wisdom version. Just thought other nurses may have encountered this, or assessed my question regarding the respiratory concern with others.

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There have actually been a few studies done in regards to this, but they have to do with children with epilepsy. I was on the ketogenic diet for a short period of time to decrease my seizure activity. Though my neurologist does not think it is a long term kind of diet.

It's good to hear you are being watched by a NP. If this episode happened recently then maybe it's time to make an appointment.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We wish you well but we are concerned that this is drifting into a potential terms of service issue regarding medical advice.

The only advice we can provide is to see your provider. Best wishes.

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