How To Choose The Right Keto Supplement
The keto diet is a hot topic in many healthy lifestyle circles. Keto is a high-fat, low-carb diet that’s designed to trigger the metabolic state of ketosis, which switches the body’s primary fuel source from carbohydrates to fats. The intended result of following this diet is to optimize the body’s thermogenic capabilities, resulting in fat burning and weight loss. And the right keto supplement can help you to achieve this, according to the experts from BestInSupplements.com.
Health benefits offered by adopting the keto diet are continuously evolving as science progresses. At first, the diet was promoted for its ability to support healthy blood glucose and triglyceride levels with added neuroprotective properties. As the dietary trend’s popularity increased, research has shown it supports mentality clarity and has appetite-suppressing capabilities.
So, not only can this diet support healthy weight goals, but it can also offer a long-term benefit for cognitive performance. Beyond this, athletes and fitness enthusiasts credit the keto diet for enhanced performance and post-workout recovery.
Pushing your body into ketosis and managing this metabolic state is often a challenge for individuals who choose this dietary lifestyle. For those who need added support, there are numerous keto supplements that can aid your body during the transition and maintenance.
When you make the decision to shop for the best keto supplements to help you reach your ketogenic health goals, you will need to devote time and effort to research. There are a few critical factors to consider when choosing the ideal keto supplement for you.
To make this process easier on you, we created this guide to help you in making the best choice for the right keto supplement that suits your needs and supports your goals. Read on to learn about some of the things to think about while shopping for the best keto supplement.
1. Quality Of Both The Brand And Ingredients
When you decide to purchase keto supplements, one of the most important factors to consider is the quality of both the brand and ingredients. Choose a keto supplement from a reputable brand that has a history of manufacturing and selling high-quality products.
If a brand is just now jumping into the keto supplement market to cash in on what they see as a “diet trend,” or not at all concerned about the quality of the product they are endorsing, it might be best that you find a different company.
Find a brand that manufactures its keto supplements in FDA-regulated and GMP-certified facilities, and utilizes third-party labs to ensure quality and potency. Also, when evaluating a product’s quality, be sure to look at the ingredients used in the product formula you’re considering purchasing.
2. Ingredients Used In The Formulation
It’s vital to be informed of the ingredients within a keto supplement before purchasing it. You must be cautious since labels can be deceiving. Before making your decision, you must first research and determine the appropriate high-quality ingredients to evaluate.
When you’ve determined this, create a list of the ingredients you believe you will need in order to better assist you through your journey that supports your health needs and goals. This can help you in making the best decision possible during your shopping experience.
Once you decide to buy the right keto supplement, you will be aware of the highest quality ingredients and products available. This allows you to check and confirm that the contents are healthy and come from reputable sources.
That said, we’ve laid out a few pointers to help you decide which ingredients are best for you.
Macronutrient Composition
Check to see if the product has an accurate macro composition. You’ll want to search for a supplement with a high-fat to protein-carb ratio. One of the most common ingredients in keto supplements is MCT Powder. This ingredient is primarily used as the main fat source in keto shakes and meal replacement bars.
The general rule of thumb to follow for a quality keto supplement is a macro breakdown that looks like 70% fat and 30% protein+carbohydrate, usually 25% protein and 5% carbohydrates.
Protein Content
Keep an eye out for items that have an excessive amount of protein. If you consume too much protein when following a ketogenic diet, it might prevent you from reaching and sustaining ketosis. Protein powders that advertise as keto supplements need to be reviewed before buying. A protein powder that is considered “high-protein” is not, by definition, a keto supplement.
If protein accounts for more than 20% of the total calories per serving, it is only considered a ketogenic product if there are enough healthy fats to raise the overall fat content. For instance, the protein content of a keto shake with an average of 170 calories per serving should have no more than 8, maybe 9, grams of protein.
Fillers/Additives/Artificial Ingredients
Keto products that claim to have a “low net carb” formula may also have high levels of filler that lower the net carbs. A common “filler” that brands use is soluble fibers like inulin. Although they are generally a low-caloric ingredient when compared to most carbohydrates, soluble fibers do have a minimal impact on blood glucose levels which may result in insulin response. The soluble fibers in keto supplement formulas may actually cause you more harm than good during your keto journey by causing you to come out of ketosis.
You will also want to avoid products that contain additives, including artificial sweeteners and colors. These types of ingredients are viewed as negative due to their effects on overall health, which is something you want to avoid when trying to improve your health by following a ketogenic dietary lifestyle.
Examine the ingredient quality of the keto supplement. Never purchase a product before you read the label. The following are examples of why quality is an important factor to consider in regard to ingredients.
MCT Oil
This is a common ingredient used in ketogenic supplements. MCT, or medium chain triglycerides, are natural fats our body can quickly metabolize. Once broken down, they are released and transported through the circulation to our brain and muscle cells, which use them as an energy source.
MCT oil, which is a concentrated dose of MCT, is particularly beneficial for keto dieters as it can serve as a means to rapidly boost fat intake. As a result, ketone production is ramped up, allowing the consumer to remain in the metabolic state of ketosis.
BCAA’s (Branched Chain Amino Acids)
The keto diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb diet. The body relies on protein for many vital biological processes to maintain optimal health. So it makes sense that you’d want a keto supplement that ensures you have a quality source of proteins.
The branched chain amino acids, leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are essential nutrients for protein metabolism. They function as building blocks for protein and our muscles use them to build new cells and repair damaged tissue. Thus, BCAA’s can support healthy post-workout recovery by minimizing sore and fatigued muscles.
Exogenous Ketones
During ketosis, our bodies naturally produce ketones through a process called ketogenesis. Ketones are the primary fuel source for cells during the metabolic state. When our body makes ketones by itself, those are referred to as endogenous ketones. They are needed to support ketosis during the ketogenic diet.
Exogenous ketones are ketones from an outside source. Keto dieters are prone to utilize exogenous ketone supplements to push their bodies into ketosis. They are also used as an extra supply of ketones to support thermogenic processes so they remain in ketosis. Exogenous ketones can support appetite management, muscle recovery, and healthy energy levels – all of which are highly beneficial during ketosis.
Digestive Enzymes
A frequent complaint associated with a keto lifestyle is the unpleasant side effects that involve the digestive distress that comes with a high-fat diet. Because the diet generally consists of 70% fat intake, may experience nausea, bloating, and diarrhea.
This is where digestive enzymes are important to sustain a keto diet and lifestyle. Supplements that incorporate high-quality digestive enzymes like lipases, which support the efficient breakdown of fats, and proteases, which support the efficient breakdown of proteins, can make a substantial difference in digestive processes.
Electrolytes / Mineral Salts
There are three essential electrolytes to be aware of, especially when it comes to the low-carb nature of the keto diet. These include magnesium, potassium, and sodium; all of which are minerals that are required for whole-body homeostasis.
The keto diet is known to induce dehydration and “flu-like” symptoms as it flushes out excess water during the initial stages. This stage is what most people would describe as “losing water weight.” In addition to flushing water out, the body flushes out electrolytes that need to be replaced. As a result, most keto dieters experience what is referred to as the “keto flu.”
A quality keto supplement will add electrolytes in the form of mineral salts to their formula in an attempt to minimize keto flu symptoms experienced by dieters. Common symptoms include muscle cramps, dehydration, headaches, and nausea. The addition of these beneficial nutrients helps dieters minimize the chances of keto flu so they can maintain ketosis.
3. Research About The Brand
When choosing the right keto supplement, don’t fall for the in-your-face marketing or attractive packaging. We recommend you examine both the brand and the products you are considering purchasing. Consider the following when reviewing the best brands to find the right keto supplement for you.
Look into the purpose, background, and reputation of the brand. Do they have a history of endorsing and backing the ketogenic diet? Or did they begin after it gained popularity? Review the brand’s line of nutritional supplements and health products. If the brand is manufacturing products that are outside of the ketogenic supplements, this may be a good indicator that their main focus is not on the ketogenic diet and lifestyle.
Is the brand selling products and supplements now, or in the past, that are contradictory to the ketogenic diet and lifestyle? This may look like a company that has previously promoted low-fat or high-protein items. This could be a warning sign that they may not fully appreciate or be invested in the ketogenic lifestyle and the diet that comes with it.
Is the company familiar with the ketogenic diet, and do their products represent this familiarity? Do they maintain a genuine foothold in the ketogenic domain? Be aware of the brand’s webpage and whether there is consistency in their keto theme.
This information may include articles, recipes, and videos. Use caution if you come across information that pertains to low-fat recipes that are followed by “keto-friendly” meals. Also, steer clear of any “keto meal plan” that includes high-carb items.
4. The Cost Of The Supplement
As with any supplement, the cost is always a factor when considering the right keto supplement for you and your keto diet journey. In general, the more reputable a brand, the more expensive the supplement will be. This is especially true when ingredient quality is taken into consideration.
Depending on how dedicated you are to the process, investing in a quality keto supplement may be worth the expense if it means the transitioning period and maintenance of the keto lifestyle is easier.
5. Final Thoughts About Choosing The Best Keto Supplements
Overall, the keto diet seems to be more than your typical “fad diet.” It’s a great way to support a healthy lifestyle, helping dieters reach their optimal weight and fitness goals. A keto supplement can better support your efforts in achieving ketosis and maintaining the metabolic state. On top of that, they also offer a wide range of benefits for general wellness.
Choosing the right keto supplement for you may seem like a daunting task but it doesn’t have to be. Using our informative guide can help ease the shopping process for you, allowing you to make the best decision to support your goals and health needs.
