How to Overcome Diarrhea on a Low-Carb Diet

The Low-Carb Diet and Diarrhea: What You Need to Know

Do you ever feel like your stomach is constantly in distress? It could be that you’re experiencing the unpleasant side effects of a low-carb diet. While some people may find that near-zero carb diets provide tremendous health benefits, they can also lead to unwanted episodes of diarrhea if not properly managed. This article will discuss the causes, symptoms, preventative measures, and treatments for this condition.

A low-carb diet eliminates foods that are high in carbohydrates from the daily food plan. Foods such as grains (wheat, rice, oats), legumes (beans, lentils), fruits, and starchy vegetables are usually omitted in these types of diets. Without these macronutrients, people often turn to other sources such as meats and dairy products for their protein consumption. Unfortunately, many don’t realize that animal proteins can cause unnecessary stress on the lining of the intestines leading to inflammation and digestive discomfort. This bodily stress can lead to diarrhea if left untreated or ignored for too long!

The symptoms associated with low-carb diet induced diarrhea vary from person to person but generally consist of frequent or ongoing watery stools as well as abdominal pain or cramping before and during bowel movements. Other signs can include bloating/gas after eating certain foods or feeling inherently unwell due to inability to take in adequate nutrients from food. If these symptoms persist for more than several days without any improvement then it’s best to consult with a doctor regarding further testing and treatment options available.

Fortunately there are a few easy steps that one can take in order gradually reduce their chances of experiencing this condition while still being able to reap the health benefits associated with going low-carb:

1. Increase water intake – Dehydration leads to increased intestinal secretions which can contribute towards loose stool formation so getting enough liquids on a regular basis is extremely important;

2. Include fiber rich foods – Incorporate more vegetables such as broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts into meals; consider supplementing with ground flaxseed or psyllium husk;

3. Cut back on non-essential fats – Eliminate added oils when cooking meals; some saturated fats found in meat products might need limiting depending on individual body composition/type;

4. Consider taking digestive enzymes – If needed look into taking over the counter enzyme supplements which help break down large chunks of proteins faster giving your body more time to absorb and digest them.

5. Try probiotic supplements – May help reduce inflammatory response & provide additional friendly bacteria for better gut health - may need consulting with a health care professional depending on individual needs & goals.

Once all of these helpful tips have been implemented then it's important that individuals track & monitor their progress closely - by doing so one can know for sure whether or not they've achieved desired results & more importantly also identify any potential issues before they become major problems down the line! Lastly remember that every individual has different dietary needs so it's always best practice to consult with an experienced nutritionist before starting any new diet!