The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its potential for weight loss and other health benefits. This high-fat, very low-carbohydrate diet induces a metabolic state called ketosis, where the body burns fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. To aid in achieving and maintaining ketosis, exogenous ketone supplements, often in the form of keto strong pills, have emerged on the market. This article delves into the ingredients, potential benefits, and side effects of keto strong pills, providing a comprehensive overview for those considering their use.
Understanding Ketosis and Exogenous Ketones
The keto diet typically restricts carbohydrate intake to 20-50 grams per day, compelling the body to break down fat into molecules called ketone bodies for energy. When ketones are produced in the body, they are called endogenous ketones. Exogenous ketones, on the other hand, are synthetic or naturally-derived ketones taken as supplements. These supplements can elevate ketone levels in the blood, potentially leading to a state of ketosis.
Types of Exogenous Ketone Supplements
There are two main categories of exogenous ketone supplements:
- Ketone Salts: These are created by adding artificial ketones to electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, and sodium. They can increase electrolyte levels, which may be harmful for individuals with medical conditions like kidney disease.
- Ketone Esters: These are considered more potent and may cause longer ketosis periods with fewer gastrointestinal side effects and a lower risk of excess electrolytes.
Common Ingredients in Keto Strong Pills
Most keto strong pills contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of saturated fat that provides energy. Some may also include gelatin or natural sweeteners like Stevia.
Potential Benefits of Exogenous Ketones
While research is ongoing, some studies suggest potential benefits of exogenous ketones:
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
- Inducing Ketosis: Exogenous ketones can effectively induce ketosis, as demonstrated in a 2017 study where participants who consumed ketone esters or ketone salts experienced a state of ketosis.
- Enhanced Athletic Performance: A 2022 review suggests that exogenous ketones may affect the brain, heart, and skeletal muscle, potentially benefiting athletes. However, current evidence does not definitively support their use for improving athletic performance.
- Psychiatric Disorders and Epilepsy: Some experts believe that the metabolism-altering effects of exogenous ketones may help treat psychiatric disorders and epilepsy. A 2019 review suggests that exogenous ketones affect neurotransmitter levels in the brain, potentially reducing symptoms of psychiatric conditions. For example, people with epilepsy have used the ketogenic diet for many years to help reduce the number and severity of seizures. Doctors also have tested whether the diet could help minimize the symptoms of psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
- Weight Loss: The keto diet has been shown to produce beneficial metabolic changes in the short-term. Along with weight loss, health parameters associated with carrying excess weight have improved, such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol and triglycerides.
Potential Side Effects and Risks
Taking keto strong pills may lead to several side effects and risks:
- Stomach Upset: Ketone supplements can cause stomach upset in some individuals, limiting the amount they can take.
- Electrolyte Imbalances: Ketone salts increase the risk of electrolyte imbalances, which are crucial for electrical signaling in muscles and neurons.
- Hypoglycemia: Some doctors are concerned that the ketogenic diet can decrease blood sugar levels, potentially leading to hypoglycemia.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: Keto gummies may cause gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, especially if they contain sorbitol, a known laxative.
- Ketoacidosis: Excessive ketone bodies can produce a dangerously toxic level of acid in the blood, called ketoacidosis.
Special Precautions and Warnings
Individuals with certain conditions should exercise caution or avoid the ketogenic diet and exogenous ketones altogether:
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: There is limited information on the safety of the ketogenic diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It's best to avoid it unless under the care of a healthcare professional.
- Children: The ketogenic diet is possibly safe for children under a doctor's care for short-term use. However, long-term use has been linked to slowed growth, fractures, and kidney stones.
- Heart Conditions: The ketogenic diet might worsen certain heart conditions.
- Diabetes: A very-low carbohydrate ketogenic diet might increase the risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication of diabetes.
- Acid Reflux: High-fat ketogenic diets can worsen symptoms of acid reflux.
- Liver Disease: The ketogenic diet might cause liver injury and worsen symptoms of liver disease.
- Kidney Disease: The ketogenic diet may worsen kidney disease and has been linked with kidney stone development.
Interactions with Medications
The ketogenic diet can interact with certain medications:
- Diabetes Medications: The ketogenic diet might lower blood sugar levels. Following the ketogenic diet while also taking diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low.
- Blood Clotting Medications: The ketogenic diet might slow blood clotting. Following the ketogenic diet while taking medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
- Seizure Medications: The ketogenic diet might reduce blood levels of some medications used to prevent seizures.
- SGLT2 Inhibitors: Following the ketogenic diet while taking an SGLT2 inhibitor, a type of diabetes medication, increases the risk of a serious complication called ketoacidosis.
Dosage and Usage
The classic ketogenic diet requires 90% of daily calories to come from fat. Less restrictive versions typically allow 20-50 grams of carbs daily. Variations include the medium chain triglyceride diet, modified Atkins diet, modified Mediterranean diet, and low glycemic index treatment.
Regulatory Status and Quality Concerns
It's important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the exogenous ketone supplement market. Therefore, these supplements are not tested or evaluated for safety, purity, or effectiveness.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
The Importance of Consulting a Healthcare Professional
Before taking keto strong pills or starting a ketogenic diet, it is crucial to consult with a doctor or qualified healthcare professional. They can assess your individual health status, potential risks, and benefits, and help you make informed decisions.
Keto Diet for Specific Conditions
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
KD has been postulated to positively impact women diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS experience symptoms of irregular/absent menses, infertility, obesity, and other phenotypical effects of hyperandrogenism such as hirsutism. Studies have shown that KD can lead to decreases in glycemia, fasting insulin, testosterone, and insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS.
Diabetes
The same benefits of following a VLCKD apply to patients with diabetes as well. Studies have shown that KD improves blood glucose control through HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, it's important to note that the diet comes with increased risks of hypoglycemic episodes.
Long-Term Considerations and Sustainability
Long-term compliance with KD is a limiting factor. Studies have shown that the statistical significance of outcomes decreases at longer periods of 12-24 months. The lack of evidence regarding long-term cardiovascular implications indicates that making recommendations against or in favor of KD should be a topic of further discussion.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
It is important to distinguish between nutritional ketosis and ketoacidosis. During nutritional ketosis, the concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetone are of low levels and do not cause any alterations in the pH of blood.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto