Diet downsides<\/p>\n
Otherwise, the keto diet is popular among people trying to lose weight, particularly those trying to lose visceral fat, like the man in the case study. Anecdotal reports promote the keto diet as being effective at helping people slim down relatively quickly while also improving stamina and mental clarity. But robust clinical data supporting these claims are lacking, and medical experts have raised concerns about long-term cardiovascular health, among other things.<\/p>\n
There are also clear downsides to the diet. Ketones are acidic, and if they build up too much in the blood, they can be toxic, causing ketoacidosis. This is a particular concern for people with type 1 diabetes and for people with chronic alcohol abuse. For everyone else, there\u2019s a list of common side effects<\/a>, including nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, bad breath, headache, fatigue, and dizziness. Ketogenic diets are also linked to high cholesterol and kidney stones.<\/p>\n But there\u2019s one side effect that\u2019s well established but little known and still puzzling to doctors: the \u201cketo rash\u201d or prurigo pigmentosa<\/a>. This rash fits the man\u2019s case perfectly\u2014red, raised, itchy bumps on the neck, chest, and back, with areas of hyperpigmentation also developing.<\/p>\n The rash was first identified in Japan in 1971, where it was mostly seen in women. While it has been consistently linked to metabolic disorders and dietary changes, experts still don\u2019t understand what causes it. It\u2019s seen not only in people on a keto diet but also in people with diabetes and those who have had bariatric surgery or are fasting.<\/p>\n