Do Very Low Carb Diets Mess Up Some Hormones?

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps control blood sugar levels. When you eat carbohydrates, your blood sugar levels rise, and your pancreas releases insulin to help transport glucose from your bloodstream into your cells.

Very low carb diets can cause your insulin levels to drop, as you are not consuming as much carbohydrates to trigger insulin release. This can be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes, who have difficulty controlling their blood sugar levels.

However, low insulin levels can also lead to some side effects, such as:

* Increased thirst

* Increased urination

* Fatigue

* Headache

* Nausea

* Constipation

Leptin

Leptin is a hormone that is produced by fat cells and helps to regulate appetite. When you eat, leptin levels rise, and you feel full.

Very low carb diets can cause leptin levels to drop, as you are not consuming as much food to trigger leptin release. This can lead to increased hunger and cravings for food, which can make it difficult to stick to a very low carb diet.

Ghrelin

Ghrelin is a hormone that is produced by the stomach and helps to stimulate hunger. When you are hungry, ghrelin levels rise.

Very low carb diets can cause ghrelin levels to increase, as you are not consuming as much food to satisfy your hunger. This can make it difficult to stick to a very low carb diet.

Thyroid hormones

Thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid gland and help to regulate metabolism. Very low carb diets can cause thyroid hormone levels to decrease, which can lead to a number of symptoms, such as:

* Fatigue

* Weight gain

* Constipation

* Dry skin

* Brittle hair

* Menstrual irregularities

Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands and helps to regulate stress response. Very low carb diets can cause cortisol levels to increase, as the body is under stress from the restriction of carbohydrates. This can lead to a number of symptoms, such as:

* Increased anxiety

* Difficulty sleeping

* Weight gain

* High blood pressure

* Insulin resistance

It is important to note that not everyone who follows a very low carb diet will experience these side effects. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks before starting a very low carb diet.

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