The Magic 8: Supplements you need to feel great on Keto 

Starting a keto diet has its many upsides- you may drop a few unwanted kilos, experience less digestive discomfort and feel like your mind is working at warp speed.

But the dreaded keto flu? That feeling of fatigue, nausea, headache and maybe even some trouble sleeping?

Yeah, ain't nobody got time for that.

The keto diet does include some restrictions to see the benefits, but if we know what is missing nutritionally, supplements can be brought in to fill the gaps.

To make things totally clear for you, we have compiled a list of some of the best keto supplements to help you keep kicking those goals.

1. MCT Oil 

Adding Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) to your already low carb diet makes so much sense, giving the brain and body some much-needed fuel. 

MCTs are converted in the liver to make ketones for our brains to use as long-lasting energy, improving mental clarity and focus. Using a ketogenic source of fat like MCT can improve satiety on a low carb diet, so we stay fuller for longer with increased available energy.

MCT oil has the bonus of being more readily absorbed by the body in comparison to coconut oil due to the shorter length of fatty acids contained.

Think energiser bunny in a hurry.

Bulletproof coffee or matcha can be a great way to get the MCTs into your diet. Good quality keto coffee creamers and coffee formulations often contain MCTs for that extra boost.

2. Electrolytes baby!

One of my essential recommendations on the keto diet is to take electrolytes.

The body generally has lower insulin levels on a keto diet, which is usually a good thing for our blood sugar levels. However, this can result in a lot more electrolytes excreted through kidney filtration, losing precious sodium, potassium and other minerals we really need.

We need to replace the minerals not being taken in with starchy vegetables and grains by using quality supplementation.

Make sure to grab a reputable mineral electrolyte complex containing sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium for the best results.

Electrolytes are the sure-fire way to combat those symptoms of headache, dehydration and muscle cramping we may get on a keto diet.

3. BHB Exogenous Ketones

You're probably thinking, huh, what's BHB all about? And exogenous?!?

Don't worry; BHB is a substance the body makes when in ketosis that we can take as salts to reach a ketogenic state faster than expected. 

Exogenous just means it comes from outside of our own body.

BHB salts are perfect for anyone wanting to boost their mental and physical energy and a reliable way to increase fat-burning potential.

BHB exogenous salts are conveniently in capsule form for easy daily use.  

4. Collagen Protein

Collagen is our hero ingredient to keep our skin, tendons, joints and bones healthy and strong. It is the main component of our connective tissue and a useful food supplement when we are following a ketogenic dietary plan.

Hydrolysed collagen protein mainly comes from a bovine (cow) source, although marine collagen sourced from fish and jellyfish is a newer addition to the collagen market.

Put simply, think bovine collagen for improving joint health and skin elasticity and marine collagen for skin and cartilage health. There are actually top-notch products that include both bovine and marine collagen sources to cover more ground.

Collagen protein is super easy to mix into hot or cold drinks (just mix fast haha) and add into baking or dessert recipes for added protein.

5. Low carb protein

A good protein powder is a must on Keto. Protein makes between 20-35% of a proper ketogenic diet, and a good quality whey isolate can be an easy option to add to meals.

Choosing a low carbohydrate protein powder option is best to ensure that you stick with your macro goals easily and effortlessly.

Keep an eye out for fat-burning ingredients added to some whey formulas. Ingredients like coleus forskohlii, green tea extract and L-Carnitine will not only get you in a fat-burning state fast, but suppress any excess appetite.

6. Digestive enzymes

It's too easy to forget about digestion with a keto diet until those extra fats have us running to the loo :D

Our digestion can sometimes need a helping hand, especially if we are not particularly efficient at making digestive secretions and enzymes naturally.

Enzymes are actually already in our saliva (another reason to chew correctly!) and in our stomach acid to break down any foods we eat. 

Taking a digestive enzyme before high protein or high-fat meals can help to ease any digestive discomfort, bloating and that gassy feeling that may lose you a few friends.

7. Omega 3s

Omega 3s are an essential addition to the keto diet, helping to keep inflammation down when consuming a higher amount of dietary fats. The right ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 helps us reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease and maintain heart health.

We usually get our Omega 3s from healthy food sources like oily fish, flaxseeds, shellfish and avocados. 

For those that aren't big seafood fans (yeah, I'm talking to you!), an Omega 3 supplement can be a great way to go. 

There are great supplement options for vegans that use hemp or safflower oil to replace animal sources.

Keeping your Omega 3s up has the added benefits of keeping our minds sharp, joints pain-free and skin looking fresh as a daisy.

8. Herbal sleep support

Agh! The dreaded keto insomnia strikes at the worst of times.

The main reason we struggle to sleep at night-time on a keto diet is that while you may be bouncing through the roof with energy, levels of serotonin and melatonin can actually be lower. Studies have shown this does generally normalise after being on a ketogenic diet in the long term. If the early stages of adjusting to a keto diet have you pacing the hallway rather than enjoying sweet dreams, consider some herbal sleep support to ease the transition.

Herbs like California Poppy, Ashwagandha, Valerian and Passionflower have long been used for their mild sedative and anti-anxiety properties.

Including a calming sleep formula can set you up for those fluffy cloud type sleeps you've been missing.

The transition to a ketogenic diet can be made so much smoother with not only the right supplements but the right expert advice.

Here at Fat Burners, we want you to leave with the best knowledge possible, so come in and have a chat about how to optimise your keto results.