The ketogenic or keto diet is a very low-carb, high-fat diet. The keto diet puts your body into ketosis, a nutritional state characterised by raised blood ketones and weight loss. Keto supplements are often promoted as giving you long-lasting energy. However, it is important to choose the right ones. Exogenous ketones are best taken on an empty stomach, and therefore not ideal to take before bed. The science behind Ketosis is complex; therefore, the use of supplements is not as simple as it might seem.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
When to take keto pills | Morning, before a workout, 30 minutes to 1 hour before a workout, on an empty stomach, after a meal containing carbs, before bed |
Who can take keto pills | Athletes, people with brain injuries, people with epilepsy, people with cognitive decline, people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease |
Benefits | Weight loss, improved mental performance, improved physical performance, appetite suppression, improved workouts, improved mental clarity, improved recovery post-workout, increased ketone levels, reduced keto flu symptoms |
Drawbacks | Expensive, lack of scientific research, may cause gastrointestinal intolerance, may cause electrolyte imbalance, may induce ketoacidosis, may not be suitable for sprinters, soccer players and football players |
What You'll Learn
Take keto pills on an empty stomach for best results
To use keto pills effectively, it is recommended to take them on an empty stomach. This is because the pills are meant to mimic a state of ketosis, where the body uses fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. By taking the pills on an empty stomach, you allow your body to absorb the active ingredients in the pills more effectively and transition into ketosis more comfortably. This can help reduce symptoms associated with the transition to a ketogenic diet, such as constipation, headache, bad breath, muscle cramps, and diarrhea, commonly known as the "keto flu."
It is important to note that the effectiveness of keto pills is still debated, and there is limited research on their long-term effects. While they may help increase ketone levels in the body, it is unclear if they lead to significant weight loss. Additionally, taking too many keto pills may result in gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and nausea. As such, it is recommended to start with a low dose and gradually increase as needed.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the ketogenic diet itself has risks, and it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or supplement regimen. Overall, while keto pills may have potential benefits, more research is needed to support their effectiveness and safety.
Keto Pills: A Fantastic Guide to Usage
You may want to see also
Keto pills can help you achieve ketosis faster
Keto pills are supplements that contain two active ingredients: ketone beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These ingredients are said to increase ketone levels in the body, helping you achieve ketosis faster. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body uses stored fat instead of glucose for fuel.
Significantly Reduce Carbohydrate Intake
Ketosis occurs when there is a lack of carbohydrates, forcing the body to use fat as its primary energy source. Reducing your carb consumption to 50 grams or less per day is recommended to enter ketosis. However, the exact limit can vary from person to person.
Increase Physical Activity
Being more physically active helps deplete your body's glycogen stores. Normally, eating carbs replenishes these stores, but on a low-carb diet, they are not sufficiently replenished, encouraging the body to turn to fat as fuel. Exercise also increases ketone production, but it may take a few weeks for your body to adapt to using ketones and fatty acids as primary fuel sources.
Fast for Short Periods
Intermittent fasting can help you reach ketosis faster. Short periods of fasting, such as 24 to 48 hours, can be effective, but most people do not need to fast this long. Intermittent fasting has also been linked to potential health benefits, such as managing obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Increase Healthy Fat Intake
Replacing lost carbohydrates with an increase in healthy fats is a common strategy on a ketogenic diet. Sources of healthy fats include avocados, avocado oil, and fatty fish like salmon. However, it is typically advisable to limit saturated and trans fats from fried foods.
Consume More MCT Oil
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), found in MCT oil, are rapidly absorbed and used for energy or converted into ketones. MCT oil may be especially beneficial for people with Alzheimer's disease and other nervous system disorders in increasing ketone levels. It has also been used to induce ketosis in children with epilepsy, allowing for a less restrictive carb intake.
Test Ketone Levels and Adjust Your Diet
Using ketone strips to test your ketone levels in your breath, urine, or blood can help you determine if you are in ketosis and make necessary adjustments to your diet. For example, you may need to further limit foods that cause a spike in glucose levels.
Keto Slim Pro: Does It Work?
You may want to see also
They can help suppress your appetite
Keto pills can be an effective appetite suppressant, making you feel less hungry and more full. This is due to the increase in ketone bodies in the blood, which stimulates an increase in leptin, the hormone that makes you feel full, and a decrease in ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates your appetite.
The ketogenic diet, which involves getting more than 70% of your total calories from fat, about 20% from protein, and 10% or less from carbs, can also help suppress your appetite. This is because a keto diet increases leptin and GLP-1 while decreasing ghrelin.
In addition to helping with appetite suppression, a keto diet has other health benefits, including increased energy and less body fat. It is a natural way to curb your cravings and prevent you from overeating while eating nourishing foods.
However, it is important to note that the appetite-suppressing effects of keto pills and a keto diet may not work for everyone. Some people may experience increased hunger during the initial transition period, and individual differences can affect how the diet and supplements work for each person.
Furthermore, while keto pills and a keto diet can help suppress your appetite, they should not be used as a standalone solution for weight loss. They are most effective when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Overall, keto pills and a keto diet can be a helpful tool for appetite suppression, but they should be used in conjunction with other healthy lifestyle changes for optimal results.
Keto 6x: A Comprehensive Guide to Usage
You may want to see also
Keto pills may improve your mental performance
The ketogenic diet has been used since the 1920s for weight loss and to help patients with diabetes or epilepsy. However, there is another benefit to this diet: ketosis for mental performance. If you're experiencing brain fog, lack of productivity, or poor mental performance, ketosis might be the solution for you.
Ketosis is a metabolic state characterised by raised blood ketones and weight loss. Ketosis occurs when the body is in a state of starvation and, instead of using glucose as its primary source of energy, the brain pulls from its alternative energy source: fat. The liver first converts these fats to ketone bodies, which are then used as energy.
Ketone bodies can be produced in your body (endogenously) or come from a synthetic source outside your body (exogenously). Ketone supplements contain only the beta-hydroxybutyrate ketone, as the other primary ketone body, acetoacetate, is not chemically stable.
Exogenous ketone supplements have been shown to improve mental performance and productivity. When you're in a state of ketosis, your body uses BHB (beta-hydroxybutyrate) as its main energy source instead of carbohydrates. Research suggests that 100 grams of BHB produces 10,500 grams of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the molecule responsible for carrying energy where it's needed for metabolism within the cells. Taking a BHB ketone drink can support a healthy keto lifestyle, including improved mental performance and energy levels.
A review article in Frontiers showed that administering an exogenous ketone supplement can meet a brain's energy needs during an energy crisis. Thus, it may help with brain conditions, including seizures, Alzheimer's disease, and traumatic brain injury.
Additionally, ketones are moved about by a different type of transporter than glucose – monocarboxylic acid transporters (MCT1 and MCT2). These transporters become more efficient when more ketones are available, allowing for a constant supply of energy to your brain, which can help with reducing brain fog and improving your focus at work.
Exogenous ketone supplements have been shown to improve mental performance and productivity by providing an alternative energy source for the brain and improving the efficiency of the body's transporters. However, it's important to note that there are potential drawbacks to ketone drinks, including gastrointestinal intolerance, electrolyte imbalance, and, in rare cases, ketoacidosis. It's also important to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or diet.
Keto OS Max: Maximizing Your Ketogenic Experience
You may want to see also
They can help you get back into ketosis after a cheat meal
It's natural to be tempted by the occasional high-carb food when on the keto diet. Cheat meals or days are common strategies for strict diets, and the idea of planned cheating is that you're more likely to stick to the diet over the long term. However, this is far from ideal for the keto diet because it relies on your body staying in ketosis.
If you've cheated on keto, you're likely out of ketosis. Once out, you'll need to strictly follow the keto diet to re-enter ketosis. This process takes several days to one week, depending on your carb intake, metabolism, and activity levels.
Keto pills can help you get back into ketosis after a cheat meal. Here are some tips to help you get back on track:
- Try intermittent fasting: Intermittent fasting is a healthy and effective way to use up your glycogen stores and help your body enter ketosis. You can extend your nightly fast by choosing lunch as your first meal of the day or skipping dinner. Most fasts last for 13-18 hours, but some people may try a full 24- or 48-hour fast.
- Track your carb intake: Take note of your daily carb intake to ensure you don't underestimate it. Eating more than 50 grams of carbs can kick your body out of ketosis.
- Try a short-term fat fast: Fat fasts like egg fasts are very high-fat, low-carb diets meant to last only a brief period. They may help expedite ketosis.
- Exercise more: Physical activity depletes your glycogen stores, which are your body's stored form of carbs. This promotes ketosis.
- Try a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) supplement: MCTs are rapidly absorbed fatty acids that are easily converted into ketones.
By following these tips and taking keto pills, you can help your body get back into ketosis more quickly and effectively after a cheat meal.
Keto Blitz: A Guide to Using the Supplement
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Keto pills are best taken on an empty stomach for maximum effect. It is also recommended to take them in smaller doses throughout the day, especially when starting or restarting the keto diet.
Keto pills can help you get into a state of ketosis immediately, which may help you stay on the diet and feel better sooner. They can also provide an extra brain boost, improve your mental clarity, and increase your energy levels.
Some people may experience digestive problems such as diarrhea when taking keto pills. It is also important to note that keto pills are not a substitute for a healthy keto diet and may not lead to immediate weight loss.
Keto pills are not necessary for everyone. If you are already following a healthy keto diet and feeling good, you may not need them. However, if you are just starting out or struggling to stick to the diet, keto pills can help you get into ketosis and provide some extra support.