AVOIDING THE LOW-CARB FLU
Some people who are transitioning to a low-carb diet for the
first time experience withdrawal symptoms similar to a drug
addict quitting cold turkey. In the past, you might have
“self-medicated” with carbs the moment blood sugar would
drop, but this only serves to perpetuate the vicious cycle.
Here, the strategic use of coconut or MCT oil may help to
wean the brain off of glucose as your fat-burning machinery
ramps up. During this initial low-carb phase in the first two
weeks, I recommend 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut or MCT
oil per day. Start slow to avoid an upset stomach, which can
occur with excessive MCT oil consumption!
Also, lowering insulin (which will occur during this
period) will cause your kidneys to excrete sodium, adding to
the “flu.” Therefore, you may want to increase your salt
intake. I detailed this overlooked fact on page; in essence,
during the first week of carbohydrate restriction, you may
require up to an additional 2 grams of sodium—about a
teaspoon of salt—per day to feel optimal, which can be
reduced to 1 gram after the first week (½ teaspoon).
During this phase, it is fine to include one to two cups of
coffee per day, but any more than that should be curtailed.
While coffee has many brain-protective compounds and has
been regarded quite favorably by recent research, it is
nevertheless a stimulant to the central nervous system and
can disrupt the natural balance between your sympathetic