150: Edema After Starting Keto, Upper Respiratory Infection, Pituitary Microadenoma, Swollen Ankles On Keto, Increased Blood Pressure And Racing Heart Eating Very Low-Carb

We’re back for another info-packed episode of Keto Talk! In this episode, Jimmy and Dr. Will Cole answer your questions about Edema After Starting Keto, Upper Respiratory Infection, Pituitary Microadenoma, Swollen Ankles On Keto, Increased Blood Pressure And Racing Heart Eating Very Low-Carb , and more! “Saturated fats can handle a higher temperature as a general rule, and the benefits far outweigh the concerns.”  - Dr. Will Cole Will and Jimmy are featured speakers at the August 17, 2019 Toronto conference called Great Canadian Keto. HOT TOPICS: Is it possible to be making therapeutic blood ketone levels, but still experience higher blood sugar levels at the same time? Are you concerned about increased cancer risk because of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in meat? How should I handle eating keto when I work the night shift half the week and daytime the other half of the week? If heating fats make them more carcinogenic, then why would you ever consume cooked fats from even bone broth? How can someone without a gallbladder who has also had gastric bypass surgery do a ketogenic diet? Paid advertisement “Folks think that you can’t eat keto after having their gallbladder removed. Christine had hers removed in 2006 and she eats more fat than I do.” Jimmy Moore HEALTH HEADLINES: The Keto diet gets lots of attention for weight loss. This cardiologist says it’s still not good The keto diet could lead to this scary lifelong side effect, studies warn 11 reasons why you’re not losing weight on the keto die Is Aspartame Keto-Friendly? Missing pizza on the keto diet? This major chain now has a low-carb crust STUDY:  Striking study reveals how dietary fats enter the brain and cause depression Paid advertisement Your Questions: – Why did I develop edema in my lower extremities after I started eating a low-carb, high-fat, ketogenic diet? Hey Jimmy and Will, I am a natural bodybuilder and have been for over 40 years now. For the past decade, I’ve consume a 100% grass-fed and non-GMO organic diet. In fact I was Paleo before I even knew what that was. In 2017 I started on keto and it was an easy move over from Paleo. I got into a state of nutritional ketosis very quickly with blood sugar in the 80’s and blood ketones between 1-2. My blood pressure improved to 110/75 and fasting insulin down to 3.8. I felt great and had no medical issues whatsoever. But then I noticed something pop up out of nowhere last year where I developed edema in my calves, ankles, and feet. I tried upping my magnesium, drinking more water, taking in substantially more sodium, moderating my protein, and doing an 18/6 intermittent fasting schedule. None of it has worked. I weigh 150 pounds have have 9% body fat. Do you have any further suggestions I can do to help with this? What is it about going keto that perhaps let to this condition? Warmest regards,  Joe – Why have I developed several upper respiratory infections ever since I started keto when I’ve never been sick like this in my life? Hi Jimmy and Will. Thank you for what you guys do for everyone in the keto community. I only just found this podcast this year and have binged listened to almost all of them. I am a registered nurse and have taking care of the sickest of the sick in the city of Pittsburgh. I now work normal M-F hours with low stress.  I’m on Synthroid for Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, but my immune system has been so stellar I’ve hardly ever gotten sick. But ever since starting on keto, I’ve had three upper respiratory infections eating this way. While I’ve lost 20 pounds, have great brain health, increased my energy, and spontaneously intermittent fast for 16 hours at a time while stabilizing my blood sugar and increasing my blood ketone levels, these respiratory issues are discouraging and throwing me for a loop. I’m assuming it’s a gut health thing that needs to be healed from years of neglect before starting keto. How do I provide a boost to my immune health to prevent another infection from developing?  Thanks for your help, Rosslyn  – How do I manage my cravings to consume way too many calories on keto because of my pituitary microadenoma condition? Hi Jimmy and Dr. Cole,  I’ve been on a weight loss journey for about a year, and went keto 6 months ago. Before keto, I lost over 15 pounds, then switched to keto to optimize my athletic performance and brain function while continuing to lose weight. I also wanted to try to heal my hormones with a low-carb, high-fat diet. I have a pituitary microadenoma which is essentially a small tumor on my pituitary gland that secretes high levels of prolactin. These high levels of prolactin suppress estrogen production. In short, it means I have high prolactin, low estrogen, and have not had a period in 2 years which ultimately is leading to infertility.  I am wondering if this hormone imbalance could be suppressing my weight loss and/or increasing my hunger and questioning whether keto would be a useful tool to balance my hormones. I haven’t lost any weight since beginning on keto and I still struggle with food addiction/binge eating. Unlike what other people report eating a ketogenic diet, I don’t really get full or reach satiety until I’ve consumed way too many calories. I know calories aren’t what they’ve been made out to be, but they do have to count because they’ll get stored as body fat if consumed in excess, right? Got any tips for me? Thanks guys and keto on! Kayla from Canada – What can I do about the swelling in my ankles and lower legs that started happening after I went keto? Hi guys,  I love your podcast! I’ve been keto for over a month and have been testing for blood ketones. I’m doing well but I have been retaining water in my ankles and lower legs. I get leg/shin cramps at night so I have been adding a magnesium/potassium supplement to help. They have eased up quite a bit but the swelling has increased. Ketones are still strong, but my weight loss stalled out after losing eight pounds. I had a total hysterectomy at 35 years old with no hormone replacement therapy and I’m 56 now. Any suggestions on what to try next?  Thank you for your help, Dede  Paid advertisement KETO TALK MAILBOX: – Why does my blood pressure and heart rate shoot way up when I am eating very low-carb keto and engaging in periods of fasting? Hey Jimmy and Dr. Cole, I’m listening to an older episode where a woman had asked about cortisol and low-carb. I haven’t taken a test for it yet, but when I fast, long-term or intermittent, and consume a very low-carb diet (under 20), my blood pressure shoots through the roof and I get major heart palpitations. When this happens, I purposely knock myself out of ketosis and my heart rate and blood pressure normalize again. I’ve been keto for four months and I’m not really losing any weight yet. I’ve felt pretty good eating this way, but I have noticed being a bit more tired than normal at times. I take all the recommended electrolyte supplements and plenty of water and salt. So what am I doing wrong? Thank you, Lisa