Ketone supplements are in the market. They help in weight loss and are good for cyclists during bike competitions. But research on them is still preliminary. Moreover, they are not magic pills. Efforts from the side of the dieter and cyclists is also essential.
Ketone supplements and ketosis
Ketone supplements are in the market for a few years now. They are meant to put the body into ketosis similar to fasting or when a person is on a low carb and high fat diet (keto diet). This assists in weight loss by burning body fats. Ketosis state also has the potential to reduce risk of cancer and fight body inflammation.
There are claims that ketosis and ketone supplements improve athletic performance. Cyclists for the Tour de France use it for improving their adaptation and for faster recovery. But scientific data on these claims are limited.
Cyclists having ketone supplements (Source: Cycling weekly)The exogenous ketones are useful when you eat something that is not keto-friendly. These supplements are forms of the ketone, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Dina Griffin, working for the eNRG Performance in Littleton, Colorado states:
“The purpose is to, in a timely fashion regardless of your dietary pattern, raise your blood level of ketone bodies,”
They speeden up the process of reaching a stage of ketosis which with a keto diet would take a few days to happen.
More details of these supplements
These supplements are mostly powdered ketone salts. Less commonly, they are ketone esters. But the latter are purer and act quickly within 10 to 15 minutes as against one hour that the ketone salts take to act. Esters are more effective and hence more expensive. But they also have a more revolting taste. Some people use medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil or partially manmade fats to attain ketosis.
But the exogenous ketones are not magic bullets. One cannot have more carbs, take these supplements and expect wonders. Efforts from the dieter is also essential.
Ketone supplements (Source: Eat this not that)Dina asserts:
“The ketones themselves don’t make you burn fat per se.”
“They can enhance that state that you achieve through your dietary choices,”
There are only a few studies on these supplements. And they seem promising. The esters lower hunger hormones and work as appetite suppressants. They also decrease blood sugar levels in healthy adults. But there is no study of it in type 2 diabetic patients.
Side effects
Many people say that they taste awful. And they are highly costly. It is better to spend the money on whole foods rather than on these supplements.
Moreover, ketone salts have sodium in them and could raise blood pressure. Dina adds:
“There could be an issue there with heart health and heart function — that would be one concern I would have,”
Ketone supplements (Source: Everyday health)They also induce stomach distress. Dina warns:
“Some of these can really tear up our guts,”
Also, read Clean fasting vs dirty fasting: what these terms mean?
Therefore, start with less amounts and gradually increase to the level your body can tolerate it. Abby Langer, founder of Abby Langer Nutrition in Toronto has this concluding remarks for its user:
“If you want to be in ketosis, do the ketogenic diet. You cannot just relax and eat whatever you want and automatically lose weight with this or any other product.”