Supplements

In this article:

 

• Keto supplements: why you might be looking for them

 

• The top 3 keto supplements

 

• Choosing your supplements

 

• Tips for taking supplements

Why you may be looking for keto supplements

Some supplements are truly ‘keto supplements’. They have properties that may help your body on keto by stimulating your ketone production. Others may be of help especially during certain stages of your keto journey when you might be dealing with a little ‘keto flu’ as you adapt to your new lifestyle or new circumstances.

We’re pretty sure you know this already, especially if you’re here because of your decision to go keto or low-carb, but let’s start off this article with stating the obvious. Supplements can never be a substitute for healthy food, healthy living and healthy exercise!

Nevertheless, there are circumstances in which people may find that supplements provide them with some extra support. For instance, challenging exercise programs or certain physical conditions may benefit from some extra (concentrated) macronutrients and micronutrients. And people on keto and low carb diets often find that optimizing their macros and balancing their vitamins and minerals helps them get the best results from their diet and feel great.

So, shall we take a closer look at top 3 keto supplements and what they do?

No. 1: MCT Oil

MCT Oil – short for ‘medium chain triglycerides’ – is a type of oil that’s easier than any other type of fat to turn into your primary energy supply for keto: ketones! This means that supplements with MCT Oil are a great way to make sure you get as much energy from fat as you need to speed you along your keto journey.

Their easy and swift metabolization also make MCT supplements a perfect, fast energy booster whenever you feel a little hungry or faint. MCT tends to reduce your appetite for sweet treats and snacks, which can also be a great help for the low carb or keto lifestyle.

No. 2: Keto (MCT) Protein Shakes

Protein is the main component of muscle tissue. So, it’s not much of a surprise that protein shakes are staple food for the majority of people who work out regularly trying to build muscle. It’s a little different for low carb and keto dieters, but we’ll explain when and why protein supplements may be a good idea for them as well.

The keto diet and most low-carb diets in general need a moderate protein intake, since your body may turn unused protein into carbohydrates through a process known as gluconeogenesis.

However, with your diet giving you extra energy, chances are that you work out several times a week, like most ketonians. In that case, and especially if you include a certain amount of strength training in your workouts, you probably need extra protein during or after each session. Taken at that time, it will be metabolised and used straightaway to build lean muscle mass.

As we have seen, protein shakes are immensely popular, and you’ll find them in every supermarket. But if you’re on keto, you’ll probably want to stay away from such products. They contain loads of sugar, artificial sweeteners and synthetic flavouring and you do not want those. Just as you do not want impure protein from unknown sources that may contain all sorts of suspect substances. Your lifestyle is not just about avoiding carbs, it’s also about healthy, clean and natural eating.

And that’s where the pure and proven protein supplements that we offer at KetoFitShop come in. Super delicious, enriched with premium MCT and containing only pure and clean keto-friendly ingredients and sweeteners.

No. 3: Electrolytes

Did you know that carbohydrates are stored in your body as glycogen bound to water molecules and minerals? In fact, glycogen retains about 3-4 times its weight in fluid.

So, when you eliminate the carbs on your low-carb or keto diet, this storage soon gets depleted and with the glycogen, your body will lose lots of fluid and minerals as well. This is why sweat usually tastes salty on your skin – that’s the salty tasting minerals (also known as salts or electrolytes) that you’ve just lost.

If you’ve ever exercised when it was very hot and you sweated intensely, perhaps you have noticed that you got a little wobbly on your feet, developed a headache or felt tired and achy. Well, that was your body telling you that maybe it was time to replenish your electrolytes and get them in balance to stay hydrated.

On keto, you may experience similar signs, sometimes referred to as “keto flu”. It's often felt in the early stages of your low-carb or keto journey, as you shed the fluid and mineral retaining carbs, but it's not restricted to that phase. Which explains why ketonians and low-carbers so often find electrolyte supplements helpful, early on in their diet, but also in the long run.

Of course, there are more supplements that might help ketonians as well as anyone looking to get the full healthy range of nutrients, such as Vitamin supplements, including Krill Oil containing the very important Omega-3 fatty acids EPA/DHA and special formulas for your joints. And yes, we have them too at KetoFitShop!

Choosing your keto supplements

When you decide to start using keto supplements, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind while you select them. It’s important to choose products that support you in the best possible way and that won’t have a negative effect for your diet, health and lifestyle.

When choosing your keto supplements, keep these points in mind:

 

• Make sure your supplement is sugar free

 

• Sweeteners should be keto/low-carb friendly such as erythritol and stevia

 

• Always choose natural flavouring over artificial

 

• Go for products and ingredients that are pure and sustainably sourced

 

• Always check the exact contents and dosages. Are they well-balanced and suited to your needs?

 

• Don’t take too much. Remember: supplements come on top of the nutrients you get from food

 

• Check for content overlaps between different supplements to avoid imbalances

 

• Starting on new supplements? Always check with your health practitioner first – especially when you’re on medication!

Tips for taking your supplements

If you take supplements in whatever form, always make sure that you take them as indicated by the manufacturer. Taking too much of certain supplements, taking them at the wrong time or in the wrong combinations may have all sorts of unpleasant effects that you’ll want to avoid.

In general, these are the rules-of-thumb for the use of keto supplements:

 

• MCT Oil and Powder have the best effect if you take them at least 30 mins before meals

 

• Protein supplements can be very useful when taken during or after your workout

 

• For most Vitamins and minerals, it’s advisable not to take them on an empty stomach

 

• In order not to forget, take them at a fixed time, preferably with your first meal of the day

 

• Always check the instructions for use and don’t take more than the recommended daily dose

Conclusion

Keto supplements can help you to support your health, your wellbeing and your keto or low-carb journey, provided you choose and use them wisely and responsibly.