Despite the many ketogenic diet benefits, following this type of diet may require keto supplements to meet the individual’s macro and micronutrient needs and effective weight loss. In this article, we will analyze what kinds of supplements are needed for a ketogenic diet and how to get the most out of the food you eat!
Why Are Keto Supplements Needed?
Limited consumption of carbohydrates leads to a reduction in the consumption of starchy vegetables, grains, and fruits. These food categories provide many micro and macronutrients and a large number of vitamins and minerals.
The ketogenic diet allows you to eat certain types of fruit (such as berries) or non-starchy vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli, etc.). But these types of fruits and vegetables don’t provide all the vitamins and minerals needed to cover a person’s daily needs. Some specific nutrient deficiencies are more common among people following a ketogenic diet.
Vitamin D: One of the Most Important Keto Supplements
This important vitamin works as a hormone in the body. It plays a fundamental role in the management of some micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It is a fat-soluble vitamin and can be found naturally in foods such as fatty fish, liver, egg yolk, and meats from pasture-raised and grass-fed animals.
While the health benefits of vitamin D affect everyone, those on a ketogenic diet may find them particularly significant. A ketogenic diet causes a loss of electrolytes, so the ability of this vitamin to help absorb them (for example, calcium) is important.
Omega-3 or Fish Oil Supplements
Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fats of the highest level. Vegetable oils are also polyunsaturated fats, but they also contain a lot of omega-6s, which are inflammatory agents. A high 6: 3 ratio isn’t ideal for good health, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting plenty of omega-3s.
According to a 2015 study, subjects who followed a ketogenic diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids had a significant drop in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and glucose levels. Furthermore, those who followed a ketogenic diet supplemented with omega-3s had lower triglyceride and insulin levels than those who followed the same diet but without omega-3 supplementation, with a significant difference (3).
Other essential supplements to include in your keto diet are electrolytes, magnesium, and potassium.
Do You Really Need Keto Supplements
There are many benefits associated with the ketogenic diet, but we need to make sure that all the nutrients necessary for better health and a well-balanced diet are present. Supplements can provide you with the micro and macronutrients you will need to cover your dietary needs while tackling a ketogenic diet. In addition, following a well-planned diet requires taking some specific dietary supplements to provide your body with valuable and high-quality nutrients and thus achieve better performance and optimal health!…