Discover the Truth About K3 Keto Drops: Ingredients, Shocking Side Effects & Safety Revealed!

The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, is a popular low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet designed to induce a metabolic state known as ketosis. Keto gummies are supplements marketed to support this diet, promising benefits such as weight loss, increased energy, and improved metabolism. However, it's essential to understand their ingredients, potential side effects, and overall safety.

Understanding Keto Gummies

Keto gummies are supplements that resemble ordinary chewable vitamins but offer a different purported health benefit. “They’re marketed as a way to help boost ketone levels in the blood,” says Schwartz. In general, the body uses carbohydrates for fuel, but when there aren’t sufficient amounts of carbohydrates, the body enters what’s known as “nutritional ketosis” and starts to break down fat for energy instead. “It typically takes a few days of strict carbohydrate restriction to enter this state,” explains Katie Schwartz, a registered dietitian based in Asheville, North Carolina. But once the body enters a state of ketosis, it begins producing ketones, which are then used for fuel.

Ingredients Found in Keto Gummies

Most keto gummies typically contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of saturated fat that help give your body energy, in addition to exogenous ketones.

“Sometimes, keto gummies may contain gelatin or natural sweeteners like Stevia,” notes Czerwony. “It’s not like eating a traditional gummy. It’s not going to have any additional sugars because if it did, then it would throw you out of ketosis.”

So, what should you look for in a keto gummy?

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

“There are a lot of options available and they all seem comparable,” says Czerwony. “I would suggest opting for something that fits in your budget and buy a small batch at first to make sure you like it.”

Exogenous Ketones

Exogenous ketones are produced outside of the body and consumed orally (as opposed to endogenous ketones that are produced inside the body). Exogenous ketones include ketone salts and ketone esters, which have different chemical structures and potencies, with esters considered more potent.

Medium-Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Oil

Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil may provide a quick source of energy, explains Rancourt.

Potential Benefits of Keto Gummies

Do keto gummies work? There’s limited research on the benefits of keto gummies.

“There aren’t any studies that have shown the long-term effects of keto gummies and if they’re beneficial,” states Czerwony. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Czerwony says potential benefits include:

Increase weight loss.
Improve athletic performance.
Decrease your appetite.

But, again, whether keto gummies or other keto supplements can actually keep you in ketosis has been inconclusive, according to research.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Keto Gummies

Are keto gummies safe? Before you decide to try keto gummies, it’s also worth understanding the potential risks.

Czerwony says those potential risks include:

Nausea and vomiting.
Gastrointestinal issues, like diarrhea.
Low blood sugar.

“You run the risk of GI issues if your keto gummies use sorbitol, which is known as a laxative,” warns Czerwony. “You should be cautious if you’re going try it. Slowly introduce keto gummies to see how you do because you don’t want to all sudden just kind of overdo it and have those side effects and not be very happy.”

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

And while some people with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney issues may opt to go on the keto diet, Czerwony cautions against adding keto gummies to the mix.

“The keto diet - and the addition of a keto supplement like gummies - can potentially lower your blood sugar, leading to hypoglycemic responses,” she says. “And it can dehydrate you as well.”

Concerns About Liver Damage and Anemia

Curious about K3 spark mineral side effects? Synthetic vitamin K3 can be harmful, potentially causing liver damage and anemia. Learn why it’s not available as a supplement. Vitamins: They’re good for you, right? In general, the answer is a resounding yes. But, that’s not the case with vitamin K3. Vitamin K3 is a synthetic version of vitamin K and is actually toxic to humans. For that reason you’ll never see it as a supplement on store shelves.

Here’s everything you need to know about vitamin K3 - plus the details on the kinds of K you actually need. K3 sounds like a mountain peak in the Himalayas that rivals K2, but vitamin K3 (aka menadione) is actually a synthetic version of vitamin K.

Two forms of vitamin K - K1 and K2 - can be found naturally in food, unlike vitamin K3, which is created in a lab. Vitamin K has several important jobs in your body. It’s most famous for helping your blood clot, which keeps you from bleeding excessively from wounds large and small. (Fun fact: The “K” comes from the German word “koagulation.”)

Both K1 and K2 are involved in blood clotting, but K2 goes the extra mile. “Vitamin K2 also improves bone quality, is involved in calcium transport, and prevents calcium deposition in blood vessel walls,” says dietitian Kris Sollid, RDN, senior director of nutrition communications at the International Food Information Council.

You can load up on both vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 through a variety of foods. K1 comes from plants - primarily leafy greens and a few oils. K2, on the other hand, is found in animal products and some fermented foods. These forms of vitamin K are also found in multivitamins. Mmm-kay, so what’s so wrong with the synthetic form of vitamin K? Plenty of other vitamins get created safely in labs. Why is K3 different?

Unfortunately, artificial vitamin K3 isn’t just unnatural, it’s actually harmful to humans. Although it was sometimes used as a dietary supplement in the 20th century, research on K3 in the ’80s and ’90s revealed that it could cause liver damage.

In fact, as an injection, K3 has been known to induce liver toxicity, jaundice, and anemia from ruptured blood cells. (Yeah, we’ll pass on all that, thanks.)

Another unpleasant side effect? K3 can interfere with one of your body’s naturally occurring antioxidants, glutathione. As a result, it can increase oxidative damage to your cells - the exact opposite of all that antioxidant-rich eating you may try to do.

Considering all these concerns, it’s no surprise that K3 isn’t sold as a dietary supplement. But since K1 and K2 in food and supplements have your bases covered, you definitely don’t need to worry about missing this artificial vitamin.

Putting aside its harmful effects for a sec, vitamin K3 does have some possible silver linings. A 2020 study found that K3 has “potent anticancer activity” for some cancers of the breast, kidneys, liver, prostate, skin, and cervix. Plus, research in 2019 suggested that K3 could suppress some activities of colorectal cancer cells.

Vitamin K3 might also be a useful antibacterial agent - particularly against H. pylori, a nasty bug that can grow in your stomach and cause ulcers. In a 2019 study, K3 inhibited the growth of H. pylori (although this research was performed in test tubes, not in humans).

The data on these effects is still pretty limited, and more research is needed before we can make any conclusions. And K3 is definitively known to pose a risk of liver damage.

Regulatory Status and Hidden Ingredients

Dietary supplements are not approved for safety or efficacy by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and ingredients and their amounts may vary.

FDA Notifications of Harmful Ingredients

The FDA has issued numerous public notifications regarding weight loss products, including some marketed as keto supplements, that contain hidden and potentially harmful drug ingredients. A comprehensive list of such notifications includes:

FATZorb may be harmful due to hidden drug ingredients (07/22/2025)
Toki Slimming Candy may be harmful due to hidden drug ingredients (06/24/2025)
LipoFit Turbo may be harmful due to hidden drug ingredients (11/27/2024)
THERMO SHOCK may be harmful due to hidden ingredients (11/22/2024)
ITCHA XS may be harmful due to hidden drug ingredients (10/30/2024)
Body Shape Weight Loss System contains hidden drug ingredients (10/02/2024)
Govvi WOW! contains hidden ingredient (12/21/2023)
Phentamene XT contains hidden drug ingredient (5/05/2023)
NORF 20 contains hidden drug ingredients (5/01/2023)
Alfia Weight Loss Capsules contain hidden drug ingredient (2/08/2023)
Lipopastilla + Gold Max contains hidden drug ingredients (7/22/2022)
Dr. Reade Slim Sense contains hidden drug ingredient (7/15/2022)
Hydro Pinapple [sic] Burn contains hidden drug ingredient (7/26/2021)
Cholestene contains hidden drug ingredient (7/09/2021)
Genesis Ultra Slim Gold contains hidden drug ingredients (7/01/2021)
365 SKINNY High Intensity contains hidden drug ingredient (6/30/2021)
Miss Slim contains hidden drug ingredient (6/04/2021)
Tummy Tuck Max contains hidden drug ingredient (4/29/2021)
Vy & Tea contains hidden drug ingredient (Vietnamese Version) (2/26/2021)
Super Slim contains hidden drug ingredients (12/17/2020)
Lishou Slimming Coffee contains hidden drug ingredients (12/17/2020)
Li Da Daidaihua Plus contains hidden drug ingredient (12/17/2020)
Imperla Elita Vitaccino contains hidden drug ingredients (12/17/2020)
Fruta Planta contains hidden drug ingredients (12/17/2020)
Fruta Bio contains hidden drug ingredients (12/17/2020)
Burn 7 contains hidden drug ingredient (12/17/2020)
Livtone contains hidden drug ingredients (11/18/2020)
Detox Plus contains hidden drug ingredients (12/04/2019)
CholesLo contains hidden drug ingredient (10/24/2019)
Skinny Pill contains hidden drug ingredient (10/17/2019)
Lanugar contains hidden drug ingredients (9/06/2019)
JaDera PLUS contains hidden drug ingredients (9/06/2019)
Sheaya Lender contains hidden drug ingredients (9/06/2019)
Love in S contains hidden drug ingredients (9/06/2019)
Reduktis Max contains hidden drug ingredient (7/16/2019)
Lipro Dietary Capsule contains hidden drug ingredient (7/01/2019)
Adelgasin Plus contains hidden drug ingredients (6/26/2019)
Super Slimming Herb contains hidden drug ingredient (6/26/2019)
Lishou Fuling Jiaonang contains hidden drug ingredients (6/26/2019)
Detoxi Slim contains hidden drug ingredient (6/26/2019)
Absolute Nine Slim contains hidden drug ingredients (6/26/2019)
GoLean Detox contains hidden drug ingredients (1/28/2019)
Ultra Fit contains hidden drug ingredients (1/28/2019)
Slimmer Extreme Thermogenic Formula contains hidden drug ingredients (1/28/2019)
Slim Bio Capsules contain hidden drug ingredients (1/28/2019)
Slimina contains hidden drug ingredient (1/28/2019)
Pink Granada contains hidden drug ingredients (11/21/2018)
Green Lean Body Capsule contains hidden drug ingredients (10/01/2018)
Shengan Natural Model contains hidden drug ingredient (10/01/2018)
Like Slim Coffee contains hidden drug ingredient (10/01/2018)
In Shape contains hidden drug ingredient (10/01/2018)
Baschi Quick Slimming Capsule contains hidden drug ingredients (10/01/2018)
BodySlim Herbal contains hidden drug ingredient (8/31/2018)
Easy 2 Slim contains hidden drug ingredient (8/31/2018)
Slimming Capsule contains hidden drug ingredients (8/31/2018)
Nuvitra contains hidden drug ingredients (8/10/2018)
Asunsa contains hidden drug ingredients (7/09/2018)
Lyn DTOX FS3 contains hidden drug ingredients (7/09/2018)
Adipotrim XT contains hidden drug ingredient (7/03/2018)
Body Shape Weight Loss System contains hidden drug ingredient (7/03/2018)
Row of Antibody Pil contains hidden drug ingredients (7/03/2018)
Adriana Balance S contains hidden drug ingredient (6/20/2018)
AB Slim contains hidden drug ingredients (6/20/2018)
PAYA Dietary Supplement Product contains hidden drug ingredient (6/07/2018)
Asia Slim Capsules contains hidden drug ingredients (11/22/2017)
Adipessum Miracle Slimming Capsules contain hidden drug ingredient (11/20/2017)
Fruta Planta Life (Garcinia Cambogia Premium) contains hidden drug ingredient (11/20/2017)
A1 Slim contains hidden drug ingredients (10/03/2017)
Physic Candy - Define contains hidden drug ingredients (8/31/2017)
Physic Candy - Curve contains hidden drug ingredients (8/31/2017)
Slimming Plus Advanced Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (2/03/2017)
Platinum Weight Loss Solution - Fat Loss Metabolizer Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (2/03/2017)
Platinum Max Strength Blue Pill Version Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (2/03/2017)
Lean Extreme Max Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (2/02/2017)
X-treme Beauty Slim Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (2/02/2017)
Queen Slimming Soft Gel Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (12/22/2016)
ABX Weight Loss contains hidden drug ingredient (11/16/2016)
Supreme Slim 5.7 contains hidden drug ingredients (11/09/2016)
Ultimate Body Tox contains hidden drug ingredient (11/07/2016)
Zi Su Body Fat Health II (Zi Su Shou Shen Ying Yang Su II) Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (10/25/2016)
Skinny Bee Diet contains hidden drug ingredient (10/19/2016)
Results contains hidden drug ingredient (10/19/2016)
Accelerator Boost contains hidden drug ingredient (10/19/2016)
Natural Eruption contains hidden drug ingredient (8/16/2016)
Citrus' Fit contains hidden drug ingredients (8/09/2016)
Adelganzantes R-II contains hidden drug ingredient (8/09/2016)
Zi Xiu Tang Beauty Face and Figure Capsule contains hidden drug ingredients (7/28/2016)
Ultimate Lean contains hidden drug ingredient (7/28/2016)
Slim Fit X contains hidden drug ingredients (7/27/2016)
Maxx Easy Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (7/27/2016)
Mang Luk Power Slim contains hidden drug ingredient (7/27/2016)
Mang Luk Power Slim Detox contains hidden drug ingredient (7/27/2016)
Xcelerated Weight Loss Ultra Max contains hidden drug ingredient (7/22/2016)
Xcelerated Weight Loss Turbo Charge contains hidden drug ingredients (7/22/2016)
Xcelerated Weight Loss Charged Up contains hidden drug ingredient (7/22/2016)
Dream Body Advanced Acai Weight Loss (7/11/2016)
Dream Body Extreme Gold contains hidden drug ingredients (7/11/2016)
Dream Body Original Formula contains hidden drug ingredient (7/11/2016)
Extra Slim Plus Acai Berry Weight Loss Formula contains hidden drug ingredient (7/11/2016)
Exhilarate contains hidden drug ingredients (7/11/2016)
Step 2 contains hidden drug ingredient (6/06/2016)
Black Label X contains hidden drug ingredient (5/06/2016)
Black Gold X Advanced contains hidden drug ingredient (4/26/2016)
3rd Degree contains hidden drug ingredient (4/26/2016)
Propell Platinum contains hidden drug ingredients (3/28/2016)
ENVY BP contains hidden drug ingredients (3/29/2016)
ZlimXter Capsules contain hidden drug ingredient (3/17/2016)
Xerophagy Capsules contain hidden drug ingredient (3/17/2016)
Eradicate Capsules contain hidden drug ingredients (3/17/2016)
Dynamizm Capsules contain hidden drug ingredient (3/17/2016)
La'Trim Plus contains hidden drug ingredient (12/21/2015)
Evolve Bee Pollen contains hidden drug ingredients (12/18/2015)
Jenesis contains hidden drug ingredients (12/18/2015)
Oasis Bee Pollen contains hidden drug ingredients (12/18/2015)
Prime Bee Pollen contains hidden drug ingredients (12/18/2015)
Thirty Plus contains hidden drug ingredient (12/17/2015)
Lipo Escultura Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (12/02/2015)
Zero Fat contains hidden drug ingredients (11/19/2015)
SPCARET Princess Diet contains hidden drug ingredient (11/19/2015)
Slyn Both contains hidden drug ingredients (11/19/2015)
Perfect Slim Fast Track Slim contains hidden drug ingredients (11/19/2015)
Super Herbs contains hidden drug ingredients (11/19/2015)
Xtreme Fat Burner Capsules contain hidden drug ingredients (10/23/2015)
Tip-Top Shape contains hidden drug ingredient (10/23/2015)
Lishou Slimming Coffee contains hidden drug ingredient (10/23/2015)
Basha Nut 100% Fruit Soft Gel Capsules contain hidden drug ingredient (10/23/2015)
Ultimate Herbal Slimcap Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (10/01/2015)
NATUREAL Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (10/01/2015)
Meizi Super Power Fruits Herbal Slimming Formula Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (9/03/2015)
Achieving Zero Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (8/06/2015)
Zero Xtreme Capsules contain hidden drug ingredients (7/02/2015)
Akttive Capsules contain hidden drug ingredients (7/02/2015)
Slim Forte Slimming Capsule contains hidden drug ingredient (4/30/2015)
Li Da Dai Dai Hua Slimming Capsule contains hidden drug ingredient (4/30/2015)
Fatloss Slimming Beauty contains hidden drug ingredient (4/29/2015)
Superior contains hidden drug ingredient (4/29/2015)
Green Algae Combination by Crane Beauty contains hidden drug ingredient (3/26/2015)
Xcel Advanced contains hidden drug ingredient (3/18/2015)
Xcel contains hidden drug ingredient (3/18/2015)
Ultimate Boost contains hidden drug ingredient (3/18/2015)
L-Carnitine Sob Strengthening Version Slimming Miracle Capsule contains hidden drug ingredient (3/05/2015)
Black Mamba Hyperrush contains hidden drug ingredients (3/05/2015)
Natural Max Slimming contains hidden drug ingredients (3/03/2015)
Diablos Eca Fire Caps contain hidden drug ingredients (3/03/2015)
Eliminating Weight (3/02/2015)
Oxy ELITE Pro Super Thermogenic contains hidden drug ingredient (2/28/2015)
Nine Slim contains hidden drug ingredient (2/28/2015)
Seven Slim contains hidden drug ingredient (2/28/2015)
Botanical Slimming (Red) contains hidden drug ingredient (7/27/2015)
Lean Body Extreme contains hidden drug ingredients (2/25/2015)
Yanhee Slim contains hidden drug ingredient (2/03/2015)
Slim-K contains hidden drug ingredients (12/23/2014)
Slim-Vie contains hidden drug ingredient (11/25/2014)
Super Extreme Accelerator contains hidden drug ingredient (11/24/2014)
Japan Hokkaido Slimming Weight Loss Pills Contain Hidden Drug Ingredients (9/12/2014)
Mix Fruit Slimming Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (7/08/2014)
Lingzhi Cleansed Slim Tea Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (7/08/2014)
24 Ince Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (7/08/2014)
Lipo 8 Burn Slim Capsules Contain Hidden Drug Ingredient (7/08/2014)
Sliming (sic) Diet By Pretty White Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (7/08/2014)
Trim-Fast Slimming Softgel Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (7/08/2014)
Sport Burner Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (6/17/2014)
Toxin Discharged Tea Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (6/17/2014)
Sliming Diet Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (6/17/2014)
La Jiao Shou Shen Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (06/10/2014)
B-Perfect Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (6/05/2014)
Asset Bold Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (5/16/2014)
Asset Bee Pollen Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (5/12/2014)
Natural Body Solution Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (5/05/2014)
Slim Trim U Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (5/05/2014)
Lite Fit USA Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (4/10/2014)
Infinity Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (4/10/2014)
New You Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (4/02/2014)
Vitaccino Coffee Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (3/19/2014)
Citrus Fit Gold Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (1/28/2014)
Tonic Life BP Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (1/28/2014)
Thinogenics Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (1/28/2014)
Dream Body Slimming Capsule Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient (1/21/2014)
Meizitang Citrus Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (12/19/2013)
Asset Extreme Plus Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (12/19/2013)
7 Days Herbal Slim Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (12/19/2013)
Dr. Ming's Chinese Capsule Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (12/19/2013)
SlimEasy Herbs Capsule Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (12/19/2013)
Sliming (sic) Diet Berry Plus Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (12/19/2013)
Asset Extreme Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (12/19/2013)
"SlimExtra Herbal Capsules" Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients (12/19/2013)

This extensive list underscores the importance of being vigilant and skeptical about the ingredients listed (or not listed) on the labels of these products.

Effectiveness of Keto Pills

There’s not enough research on the efficacy of keto supplements to support the claim that taking keto pills, powders or gummies will help you achieve ketosis.

“We just don’t know whether (these supplements) will work,” Guevara says. “They’re very expensive, and there’s a chance for them to be contaminated, so for me, it’s a lose-lose-lose all around.”

One small 2021 study, for instance, 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 these participants' weight loss when compared to other groups, such as those following only the keto diet without the supplement.

Other research, such as this 2020 study, suggests that taking exogenous ketones can help boost concentrations of ketones in the blood quickly. Whether they have an appreciable effect on weight loss, however, is still murky, and more robust studies with strong evidence are lacking.

“It’s still unclear as to whether exogenous ketones will produce the same type of ketosis effects as diet,” confirms Gaby Vaca-Flores, a registered dietitian and education manager at HUM Nutrition in Los Angeles.

One of the reasons why supplementation may not be all that effective is because the body seeks to maintain an even level of ketones to prevent a potentially toxic buildup of these chemicals in the bloodstream. When the body senses that ketone levels are high, the liver stops making its own and will try to flush out excess ketones in your urine, a process called ketonuria.

“Supplements are often expensive (urine) because, at best, you’ll just pee it out,” Guevara says. “At worst, it could be harmful for your liver because it does have to process everything you’re taking.”

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."(While they're) probably safe to use for most people, I certainly don’t recommend diet pills for anyone,” Holley says.

Scams and Misleading Marketing

In addition to health concerns, there’s a risk of scams with some keto products, namely supplements being pushed heavily on social media. In July 2020, AARP reported that two women in their 80s had been scammed out of more than $200 each when they purchased keto diet pills. Also, keep an eye out for certain words and phrases in any marketing text, such as “quick fix,” “guaranteed results” and “scientific breakthrough.” They’re usually a red flag of false advertising.

What’s more, because dietary supplement products are not regulated by the FDA, it can be difficult to know whether you’re getting what you pay for. If you're intent on purchasing a keto supplement, do your homework and ask the company to provide its research or evidence that the supplement does what the company is saying it does. A reputable manufacturer should be able to provide information about how its product has been tested and what it contains.

Is the Keto Diet Worth It?

If you’re considering the keto diet, Guevara encourages you to ask yourself why you’re doing it and if it’s really worth it.

“Very restrictive diets are hard to follow, and they’re not sustainable,” she says. “With the keto diet specifically, when we look at it for weight loss, most of that weight you’re losing quickly at the beginning is water weight. You’re not losing fat. It’s very exciting to see that number drop, but it’s not going to be metabolically better for you.”

Patel says he isn’t a fan of the keto diet, but he notes that instituting a water-only fast “for at least 24 hours and longer” would be one way to get into ketosis faster without spending money on supplements. “Obviously, you would want to consult with your doctor if you decide to do a prolonged fast based on your overall health and medications you take,” he adds.

Overall, there are few shortcuts to healthy and sustainable weight loss, and using a supplement to speed up the process could lead you to lose more money than weight.

“Truly, these are a waste of your money,” Holley emphasizes. “Do not fall for this gimmick."

Who Should Avoid Keto Gummies?

People with underlying health conditions like kidney disease or diabetes, people who are pregnant or nursing, children, or anyone on medications affecting blood sugar shouldn’t use keto gummies, notes Rancourt.

tags: #k3 #keto #drops #ingredients #and #side