Low-carb diets, such as the Atkins diet, work by restricting carbohydrate intake and forcing your body to change how it makes energy. Although these diets can be an effective way to lose weight, they can be difficult for some people as they can cause nausea and other health problems.
Atkins Overview
When you follow the Atkins diet, one of the times you are most likely to feel sick is during the beginning of the diet. This is because during the initial base of the diet, also known as the induction phase, your carbohydrate intake is limited to 20 g per day or less. This is an extreme departure from what most people eat. As you progress through the diet, carbohydrates intake is gradually increased, which may alleviate your symptoms.
Atkins and Ketones
To understand why the Atkins diet can make you feel sick, it is helpful to understand how the Atkins diet affects your body. Glucose is your body's preferred fuel source and when you limit your carbohydrate intake, your blood glucose levels drop. This forces your body to turn to other molecules to generate energy, a 2004 article in the "Journal of the International Society of Sports Medicine" states, such as the fatty acids found in body fat. When your body burns fatty acid for fuel, molecules known as ketones are produced.
Ketones and Nausea
Ketones can be used by many cells as an alternate energy source. Rising levels of ketones in your blood, also known as ketosis, can cause a loss of appetite and nausea, the American Heart Association explains. In high concentrations, ketones can be toxic, so the nausea which you experience is your body's way of telling you that things are amiss.
Other Side Effects
Because the Atkins diet limits the consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially in the early stages, your unbalanced diet may also contribute to you feeling sick. Fruits and vegetables add fiber to your diet; inadequate fiber intake can cause constipation which makes some people feel sick. A lack of fruit and vegetables also makes it hard for you to get the vitamins and minerals you need, which may also make you feel ill. Taking a fiber supplement and a multivitamin may reduce some of these side effects.
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