Keto Salts: Safe Weight Loss Or Health Risk?

Ketone salts are a type of exogenous ketone supplement, which are synthetic ketones consumed orally. They are often bound to a salt, such as sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium, and usually come in powder form. The idea is that these supplements can raise blood ketone levels and mimic ketosis, a metabolic state where the body burns fat instead of carbohydrates, without having to follow a ketogenic diet.

However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of ketone supplements for weight loss, and some evidence suggests they may even hinder it. Ketone salts are also associated with several side effects, such as nausea, diarrhoea and stomach discomfort. Furthermore, the high amounts of minerals ingested when consuming ketone salts may be harmful.

Therefore, while ketone salts may be a safe and effective way to increase ketone body concentrations, their long-term effects are unknown, and there is insufficient evidence to recommend them for weight loss at this time.

Ketone salts may not be effective for weight loss

Ketone salts are a type of exogenous ketone supplement, which are synthetic sources of ketones that come from outside the body. Ketone salts are ketones bound to a salt, usually sodium, potassium, calcium, or magnesium, and are often found in powder form. They are claimed to put your body into ketosis without following a ketogenic diet. While ketone supplements have been shown to decrease appetite, their potential weight loss benefits are unknown and may even hinder weight loss efforts.

Firstly, ketone salts may prevent body fat from being used as fuel. The purpose of the ketogenic diet for weight loss is to produce ketones from stored fat as an alternative fuel source. However, if your blood ketone levels become too high, your blood can become dangerously acidic. To prevent this, healthy people have a feedback mechanism that slows down the production of ketones. Therefore, taking ketone supplements may prevent body fat from being used as fuel, at least in the short term.

Secondly, ketone salts contain calories. Ketones can be used by the body as a fuel source and contain about four calories per gram, the same number of calories as carbohydrates or protein. While a single serving of exogenous ketone salts contains fewer than 100 calories, maintaining a state of ketosis requires several servings per day. This can become costly, with each serving costing upwards of $3. Furthermore, ketone supplements are not ketogenic as they prevent the body from producing its own ketones and are an additional source of calories, which may not be beneficial for weight loss.

In addition, the long-term effects of exogenous ketone supplements are unknown, and side effects are more commonly reported with ketone salts than ketone esters. These side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort. Ketone supplements have also been associated with a poor aftertaste.

Lastly, achieving ketosis with ketone salts is not recommended due to the high amounts of minerals consumed. For example, one serving of ketone salts provides 680 mg of sodium, 320 mg of magnesium, and 590 mg of calcium. However, to maintain ketosis, multiple servings are required throughout the day, doubling or tripling these numbers.

In conclusion, while ketone salts may decrease appetite, there is currently insufficient evidence to support their use as a weight loss aid. Further research is needed to establish their effectiveness in weight loss.

Ketone salts may not be safe for people with kidney disease

Ketone salts are created by adding artificial ketones to electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. These salts can increase electrolyte levels in the body, which can be harmful to people with kidney disease.

Kidney disease patients may have trouble regulating electrolytes, and the increased levels caused by ketone salts can be dangerous. Therefore, it is not recommended that people with kidney disease take ketone supplements without consulting a doctor.

In addition, the high amounts of minerals ingested with ketone salts may also be harmful. One serving of ketone salts provides 680 mg of sodium, 320 mg of magnesium, and 590 mg of calcium. To maintain ketosis, multiple servings per day are required, which means consuming double or triple these amounts. This could be dangerous for people with kidney disease.

While ketone salts can induce ketosis, this metabolic state does not last as long as it does with ketone esters. Ketone esters are another type of exogenous ketone supplement that is more potent and may cause longer ketosis periods. However, they are very expensive and have an unpleasant taste.

There is limited research on the long-term effects of the keto diet and ketone supplements. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the exogenous ketone supplement market, so these supplements are not tested or evaluated for safety, purity, or effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor before taking any supplements, especially for people with kidney disease.

Ketone salts may cause stomach upset

Ketone salts are created by adding artificial ketones to electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. These electrolytes are essential for nerve and muscle function, regulating blood pressure, balancing water levels in the body, and stabilising the pH level of the body. However, consuming too many electrolytes can be harmful, especially for those with medical conditions such as kidney disease, which affect the body's ability to regulate electrolytes.

The keto diet itself can also cause an electrolyte imbalance, as it encourages the body to expel water and electrolytes through frequent urination. This can lead to dehydration, which is a common issue for those on the keto diet. Dehydration, in turn, can cause constipation, fatigue, brain fog, nausea, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.

To avoid these issues, it is recommended to increase your water and sodium intake, especially when starting the keto diet or if you experience any symptoms of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Ketone salts may be expensive

The high cost of ketone salts is not helped by the fact that they may not even be effective. A test carried out by Diet Doctor found that the supplements were associated with a decrease in physical performance, while an artificially-sweetened, non-caffeinated beverage (used as a placebo) was associated with an increase. The test also found that the supplements did not increase blood ketone levels by a significant amount. An average increase of 0.33 mmol/L is very small, and anything below 2.0-3.0 mmol/L is unlikely to be beneficial.

The price of ketone salts is further compounded by the fact that they may be unnecessary. Ketone supplements are intended to mimic the state of ketosis achieved through a ketogenic diet, but this can be done for free by sticking to the diet. Furthermore, ketone supplements may even hinder weight loss efforts. This is because ketones contain calories, and a single serving of exogenous ketone salts typically contains less than 100 calories. However, to maintain a state of ketosis, you will need several servings per day, which can quickly add up.

Therefore, ketone salts may be expensive, both in terms of their monetary cost and the potential cost to your health.

Ketone salts may not be worth the money

Ketone supplements are often marketed as a way to boost the effects of a keto diet or even provide some of the benefits of keto without the need to restrict carbs. However, there are several reasons why these supplements may not be worth the money.

Firstly, ketone supplements are very expensive. Depending on the brand and dosage, the cost of these supplements can quickly add up, with some people spending hundreds of dollars per month. Additionally, some companies use multi-level marketing structures, which can further drive up the price.

Another concern is the lack of transparency regarding the ingredients in these supplements. Some companies do not fully disclose the contents of their products, instead claiming that they use a "proprietary blend". This makes it difficult for consumers to know exactly what they are getting and how much of the active ingredient, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), is included in each serving.

The scientific evidence supporting the benefits of ketone supplements is also questionable. While there is some research suggesting that ketone supplements can increase blood ketone levels, the majority of the studies cited by supplement companies refer to the benefits of endogenous ketosis or ketone esters, not ketone salts. Furthermore, the existing research on ketone salts has shown minimal effects on physical performance, and there is currently no peer-reviewed scientific research on the commercial ketone salt products available to consumers.

The marketing and advertising strategies employed by ketone supplement companies have also come under scrutiny. Their websites are often filled with exaggerated and misleading claims about the benefits of their products, including weight loss and improved athletic performance. In reality, ketone supplements do not directly cause weight loss, and in some cases, may even hinder it by inhibiting fat breakdown and providing additional calories.

In addition, the potential benefits of ketone supplements may be attributed to other ingredients added to the formulas, such as caffeine and malic acid, rather than the expensive BHB. This raises questions about whether the supplements themselves are truly effective or if the effects are due to these additional ingredients.

Lastly, the taste of ketone supplements is often unpleasant, and they may cause side effects such as stomach discomfort, nausea, and diarrhea.

Overall, while ketone supplements may offer some benefits, the high cost, lack of scientific evidence, misleading marketing, and potential side effects suggest that they may not be worth the money for most people.

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