Keto Genesis Pills: Do They Work?

Keto diet pills claim to help you sustain ketosis, but do they really work?

Keto supplements typically contain two active ingredients: ketone beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). BHB is a compound that the liver produces from fats, and MCTs are a type of fat found in coconut and palm oil. In theory, taking extra ketones in the diet may help the body lose weight by using ketones for energy and burning fat. However, there is not enough research on the efficacy of keto supplements to support the claim that taking keto pills will help you achieve ketosis.

One small 2021 study found that people with obesity who followed a low-calorie ketogenic diet and took 24 grams of a BHB salt supplement per day for six weeks experienced enhanced ketosis. However, having higher levels of ketones in the blood didn’t seem to boost weight loss. Other research suggests that taking exogenous ketones can help boost ketone concentrations in the blood, but whether they have an appreciable effect on weight loss is still unclear.

Ultimately, the jury is still out on whether or not these supplements work. But one thing is for certain: experts do not recommend keto pills – or any diet pill, for that matter.

Ketone supplements may decrease appetite

Ketone supplements have been shown to decrease appetite, which may help with weight loss. In a study of 15 people of normal weight, those who consumed a ketone ester drink after an overnight fast experienced 50% less hunger than those who drank a sugary beverage. This effect was attributed to lower levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin between two and four hours after drinking the ketone ester drink.

However, ketone supplements may not affect appetite as much in people who have eaten a meal beforehand. Studies have found higher blood ketone levels in those who did not eat a meal before taking a ketone supplement compared to those who did. This is because elevated ketones are associated with reduced appetite and lower ghrelin levels. Therefore, ketone supplements may only be beneficial during a fast, such as upon waking in the morning, rather than after a meal containing carbohydrates.

In addition, one small study found that ketone supplements reduced appetite for over four hours, which could be promising for weight loss. However, more studies are needed before ketone supplements can be recommended for appetite control. Furthermore, despite the potential appetite-curbing effects of ketone supplements, their weight loss benefits are unknown.

Ketosis may increase focus and energy

Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body uses fat as its main fuel source, instead of glucose. This is achieved by following a ketogenic (keto) diet, which is a very low-carb, high-fat diet.

When the body enters ketosis, it may experience increased focus and energy. This is because ketones are an extremely potent fuel source for the brain. Research has shown that the brain works more efficiently on ketones than on glucose.

The keto diet can be challenging to follow, as it requires a significant reduction in carbohydrate intake. However, the potential benefits of ketosis may include increased focus and energy, in addition to weight loss and improved overall health.

Ketosis may cause side effects like keto breath and constipation

Ketosis may cause some unwanted side effects, including keto breath and constipation.

Keto breath is a common side effect of eating high-fat, low-carb meals. It is caused by the presence of ketones in the body, which are produced when the body breaks down fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. The most commonly reported symptom of keto breath is a lingering metallic taste in the mouth, but some people also report a fruity odour. This side effect is temporary and usually goes away within a few weeks as the body adjusts to the lower carb intake. To help reduce keto breath, it is recommended to drink more water, eat less protein, and practice good oral hygiene.

Constipation is another common side effect of the keto diet. This is because the diet is typically low in fibre, and individuals following the diet may consume more dairy, which can be hard to digest and lead to constipation. To prevent constipation, it is important to ensure adequate intake of fibre and water. This can be achieved by including more high-fibre, low-carb foods in the diet, such as artichokes, blueberries, and non-starchy vegetables. It is also recommended to introduce the keto diet gradually to give the body time to adjust.

Ketosis may be achieved faster with intermittent fasting

Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet that can lead to ketosis and offers several potential benefits, including weight loss, increased energy, and the management of chronic illnesses like epilepsy and type 2 diabetes. However, it can be challenging to follow and may cause side effects such as ''keto flu,'' constipation, and "keto" breath.

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that alternates between periods of fasting and normal eating. It does not restrict what you eat but rather focuses on when you eat. One popular method is the 16/8 method, which involves eating during an eight-hour window and fasting for the remaining 16 hours.

Combining intermittent fasting with a keto diet may help you achieve ketosis faster. During fasting, your body's insulin levels and glycogen stores decrease, prompting it to start burning fat for fuel. Intermittent fasting can be a useful tool for those who struggle to reach ketosis through the keto diet alone.

Additionally, combining intermittent fasting with keto may lead to greater fat loss. Intermittent fasting boosts metabolism and promotes the burning of stubborn fat stores. It also reduces hunger and increases feelings of fullness, which can aid in weight loss.

While combining intermittent fasting with keto may offer benefits, it is not necessary for everyone. Some may find it too challenging or experience adverse reactions. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant dietary changes or combining dietary approaches.

Ketosis may be beneficial for treating and managing epilepsy

The ketogenic diet has been shown in many studies to be particularly helpful for some epilepsy conditions. These include infantile spasms, Rett syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, Dravet syndrome, Doose syndrome, and GLUT-1 deficiency. The diet works well for children with focal seizures, but may be less likely to lead to an immediate seizure-free result. The diet is sometimes started to help reduce or even stop anti-seizure drugs. However, that does not always occur – often it is a “partnership” between drugs and food to help reduce seizures that works.

Ketogenic diets have been used to treat epilepsy since the 1920s. Fasting is the only therapeutic measure against epilepsy recorded in the Hippocratic collection. In the early 1920s, Drs. Stanley Cobb and W.G. Lennox of Harvard Medical School observed the effects of starvation as a treatment for epilepsy, noting that seizure improvement typically occurred after 2–3 days. In the same period, Dr. Russel M. Wilder, a physician at the Mayo Clinic, suggested that a specific diet could produce similar benefits to fasting, and proposed a diet that produced ketonemia. He studied a series of patients with epilepsy and demonstrated a result equivalent to fasting and that was maintained for a much longer period. This new concept of diet was designated the “ketogenic diet.”

Ketogenic diets have been shown to be effective in treating refractory epilepsy in children and adults. The classic ketogenic diet (CKD) consists of a high-fat and low-protein and carbohydrate diet, with restricted calories and fluids. The diet mimics the fasting state, altering the metabolism to use fats as a primary fuel source; catabolism of fatty acids in the liver produces ketone bodies (KB), which induces urinary ketosis.

Ketogenic diets are considered an effective alternative treatment for epileptic patients. The ketogenic diet is defined as a diet containing a high amount of fat, low in carbohydrates, and with adequate protein content. It was first designed in the 1920s to treat seizures and supplies energy through ketone bodies (KBs) to the brain when the glucose level is lower in the body. There are three main KBs: β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), acetoacetate (ACA), and acetone. KBs act as fuel elements and are mainly formed from fatty acids by the liver during starvation and exercise. The medium-chain triglycerides diet (MCTD) consists of high-fat content with a low glycemic index (LGI). Ketogenesis is a metabolic process that provides the body with an alternative form of energy through the production of KBs. In ketogenesis, acetyl-CoA derived from β-oxidation of fatty acids is converted into KBs in the mitochondrial matrix of liver cells and then these ketone bodies are carried to the extrahepatic tissues for alternative energy sources.

Ketone bodies induce chemical messengers and alterations in neuronal metabolic activities to regulate neuroprotective mechanisms towards oxidative damage to decrease the rate of seizures. The introduction of KD in epilepsy patients reported an enhancement of chemical messengers in the brain, i.e., GABA, agmatine, monoamines, and reduced neurons irritability, thus building up an anti-seizure state among patients. In the central nervous system (CNS), the production of GABA is increased while the quantity of aspartate inhibitors decreases. A reduced aspartate level due to ketosis is involved in the stimulation of glutamate, which is further changed into glutamine. This glutamine assimilates by neuron cells and causes its conversion into GABA, which acts in an inhibitory manner to reduce oxidative stress.

The ketogenic diet is widely used to treat patients with refractory epilepsy or those individuals unfit for surgical management. There are four types of KD. Classic KD: In the classic KD, the ratio of fat and carbohydrates is 4:1. This ratio can be altered to 3:1 for moderate metabolism activity. Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCTD): This modified Atkin diet includes high production of KBs than any other class of fats, such as long-chain triglycerides (LCT). It can lower the intake of fatty acids due to its ketogenic properties and greater carbohydrate and protein content due to its ketogenic properties because it contains high-fat content (60%) and lower carbohydrate and protein ratio. Low glycemic index treatment (LGIT): LGIT is a non-restrictive treatment that consists of a diet with an increased amount of fat (60%), a high amount of protein (20 to 30%), and 10% carbohydrates. It comprises foods with a low glycemic index (i.e., mutton, few fruits, dairy food). The fat:carbohydrate:protein ratio is about 1:6:0. There are no restrictions on diet and calories intake. Although LGIT represent fewer KBs than another KD, it is a better-tolerated diet. Modified Atkins Diet (MAD): MAD constitutes 65% fat content, 25% protein, and a low carbohydrate intake (10%). The fat ratio is high in MAD and is considered the most savory form of KD and acceptable for adults or individuals suffering from behavioral issues. There is no specific amount restriction of liquid or protein intake, but the carbohydrates amount is fixed as 10 to 20 g/day in infants and 15 to 20 g/day in youngsters.

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