Keto Advanced Weight Loss: Does It Really Work?

Keto Advanced is a weight loss supplement that claims to help people lose weight by putting their bodies into a state of ketosis, where the body uses stored fat to generate energy instead of carbohydrates. The supplement comes in the form of small pills or capsules, with a recommended dose of two capsules per day. While there is some scientific support for the use of ketosis for weight loss, there is mixed evidence on the effectiveness of keto supplements in achieving this state. Some sources claim that keto supplements can help boost energy, burn fat, and lose weight fast, while others argue that there is not enough research to support these claims. It is important to note that dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so consumers should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before taking any supplement.

The ketogenic diet

The keto diet is particularly challenging because it requires a specific macronutrient ratio: 90% fat, 6% protein, and 4% carbohydrates. This is a drastic change from the standard diet, which typically includes carbohydrates as a significant energy source.

However, there are some potential drawbacks and challenges to the ketogenic diet. One of the most significant issues is "keto sickness," which can manifest as flu-like symptoms during the initial adjustment period. Additionally, the keto diet may not be suitable for everyone, and it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or supplement regimen.

Furthermore, while the keto diet can lead to rapid weight loss, much of the initial weight loss is due to water weight rather than fat loss. This highlights the importance of combining the keto diet with adequate physical activity and overall healthy lifestyle choices to achieve sustainable weight loss and maintain long-term health.

Ketosis

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat approach to weight loss. It eliminates nearly all carbohydrates and relies on calories from fat for fuel, a process called ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates.

How to Achieve Ketosis

To achieve ketosis, you need to consume a specific amount of macronutrients: 90% fat, 6% protein, and 4% carbohydrates. A modified keto diet consists of around 82% fat, 12% protein, and 6% carbs.

Achieving and maintaining ketosis can be challenging, and it may take some time for your body to adjust to this new way of eating. During this adjustment period, you may experience flu-like symptoms, often referred to as the "keto flu."

The keto diet has become popular for weight loss because it can lead to a significant amount of weight loss in a short amount of time. By cutting out carbohydrates, the body begins to burn stored fat for energy, resulting in weight loss.

However, it's important to note that some of the initial weight loss on a keto diet is water weight, and it's not a sustainable diet for everyone. It can be very restrictive and challenging to follow long-term.

Keto Supplements

Keto supplements, such as Keto Advanced 1500, claim to help boost ketone levels, achieve ketosis faster, and ultimately lead to weight loss. These supplements typically contain ketone beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).

While keto supplements may help increase ketone levels, there is limited research to support their effectiveness in achieving ketosis and weight loss. Additionally, it's important to be cautious of potential side effects and scams when considering keto supplements.

Side Effects of Ketosis

One of the most common side effects of the keto diet is the "keto flu," which includes symptoms such as nausea, constipation, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days as your body adjusts to the new diet.

However, it's important to be cautious of more serious side effects, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking medication. It's always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or supplement.

Ketone beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)

BHB is a key ketone body and an important energy source for the brain. It is the main ketone body in animal circulating blood, accounting for over 70%. It is produced in the liver by the breakdown of fatty acids and serves as an alternative energy source for extrahepatic tissues when glucose is scarce.

BHB has been shown to have signalling functions in addition to its role as an energy carrier. It can directly or indirectly regulate various physiological processes, including gene expression, lipid and protein metabolism, neuronal function, and metabolic rate.

BHB can be consumed as an exogenous ketone in the form of pills or capsules. It is often combined with a ketogenic diet to enhance weight loss by promoting fat burning and suppressing appetite. However, there is limited evidence to support the effectiveness of keto supplements in achieving ketosis and weight loss.

Overall, while BHB has potential benefits, more research is needed to fully understand its effects and mechanisms of action.

BHB salts and esters

Ketone salts are ketone bodies bound to a mineral such as calcium, sodium, or magnesium. The ketone body is usually beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), which is more stable than acetoacetate and is the ketone most available in the bloodstream when in deep ketosis. Ketone salts are easier to mask with flavour than ketone esters, and they are also generally less expensive. However, they are not bioidentical, meaning the body may not process them in the same way as naturally produced ketones. They also do not raise blood ketone levels as efficiently as ketone esters.

Ketone esters are ketone bodies, usually BHB, bound to 1,3 butanediol, an alcohol molecule. Ketone esters are bioidentical, meaning they are chemically the same as the ketones produced by the body, so the body knows how to process them. They raise blood ketone levels more efficiently than ketone salts, but they are more expensive and have a stronger taste that is often described as unpleasant.

Both ketone salts and esters can be beneficial for achieving ketosis and boosting ketone levels, but they have distinct differences in terms of potency, duration, taste, and cost.

Exogenous ketones

There are two main forms of exogenous ketone supplements: ketone salts and ketone esters. Ketone salts are ketones bound to a salt, typically sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium. They are most often found in powder form and mixed with liquid. Ketone esters are ketones linked to another compound called an ester and are packaged in liquid form. Ketone esters are primarily used in research and are not as readily available for purchase as ketone salts.

Ketone supplements are often marketed as a way to boost the effects of a keto diet or even give you some of the benefits of keto without restricting carbs. They are claimed to increase fat burning and accelerate weight loss, maximise cognition and improve focus, improve athletic performance, suppress appetite, and decrease inflammation.

However, there is limited scientific research to support these claims. While ketone supplements have been shown to increase ketone levels in the blood, mimicking what happens in ketosis when you follow a ketogenic diet, there is no evidence that they lead to weight loss. In fact, some evidence suggests that they may even hinder it. Ketone supplements are also associated with several side effects, such as nausea, diarrhoea, and stomach discomfort. They are also costly, with a single serving typically costing upwards of $3.

Frequently asked questions