Keto diet has been all the rage over the last few years. The “lose-weight-fast” promise has captured the attention of many, and this high-fat-low-carb diet is turning everyone into a fat-burning machine.
Keto diet is a meal plan that involves a drastic reduction in carbs intake and eating more foods rich in fat. Doing so will put the body into ketosis, which makes it an efficient fat-burning machine, providing more energy and causing weight loss over time. The ultimate goal of a keto diet is to metabolize the fats, instead of sugar or glucose.
But the part about maintaining ketosis is easier said than done.
Imagine the smell of Cajun burger… and caving into the temptation. Worse is if you give into dirty keto, which is still pretty much keto diet, except that it doesn’t matter where the source of fats, proteins, and carbs are. It’s so tempting for many keto followers because they could still lose weight even when they eat pizza, bacon, and cheeseburgers as long as they fall within the same percentages as the standard keto.
An effective keto diet is one that is healthy and clean. That’s where exogenous ketones come in.
What are exogenous ketones?
Exogenous refers to something created externally. So when we say exogenous ketones, we’re actually referring to ketones from external sources. In contrast, endogenous ketones are the ones produced by your body.
If you find it hard to maintain ketosis, then you may want to consider supplementing your naturally-produced ketones with exogenous ketones.
These supplements come in the form of ketone beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), which is actually what your system typically produces on its own. The main goal of these supplements is to raise your blood level of ketone bodies in a timely fashion, in spite of your dietary pattern. Sometimes, your system can create the level of ketosis your body needs, but that might last longer.
Going into fasted state for an extended period, eating a low-carb diet or maintaining a keto diet can get you into a metabolic state. This is when your system burns body fat instead of glucose for energy. But for some individuals, this metabolic state and relying on diet aren’t enough to produce or amp up ketone levels.
Exogenous ketones enter the picture when you want to speed things up and get to a fat-burning state fast.
What are the various types of exogenous ketones?
There are two types of exogenous ketones that are popular in the market right now, but each has their own pros and cons:
Ketone esters
Ketone esters are supplements that contain raw BHB ketones sans the minerals or compounds. These are for individuals who want to get ketones in raw form and thus increasing blood ketone levels faster.
Some users have noted that ketone esters taste horrible (think industrial antiseptic) and found them expensive. Some also reported digestive problems after taking them. Studies also show that while keto esters can raise your blood ketone levels, they don’t do it over an extended period. [1]
Now if you’re looking for a ketone supplement that can raise your blood ketone levels for longer and taste better, then this next one may be for you.
Ketone salts
Ketone salts are normally found in the market as BHB salts, BHB mineral salts, or ketone mineral salts.
Ketone salts taste a tad better than ketone esters because they are bound to a mineral – salt – which could be sodium, calcium, potassium or magnesium. Because of this, the absorption rate into the system is better and it stays there for a longer period. This makes ketone salts the most highly recommended supplement for maintaining ketosis among keto experts.
When looking for quality ketone salts, look for ingredients that are as straight-forward ingredients as possible and with just a little over 1 gram (or less) of minerals needed to achieve and maintain ketosis. Be wary of products that have add-ons like high-carb sweeteners and artificial flavors, which make the supplement less effective.
Pick a product that comprises only the most essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and sodium. Designed for the ketogenic diet and made with trademarked KetoVantage Beta-Hydroxybutyrate BHB salts plus L-Leucine for muscle growth, VALI Keto BHB Salts contain exogenous ketones that help your body to enter ketosis to burn ketones (fat) for fuel instead of glucose (carbohydrates):
- KetoVantage Magnesium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
- KetoVantage Calcium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
- KetoVantage Sodium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
- L-Leucine, an essential amino acid used in the production of protein for boosting muscle growth and increasing athletic performance
Why look for keto supplements with BHB?
The body produces three types of ketones when on ketosis – acetone, acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB).
Of these three, BHB is the most abundant ketone, which makes up 78% of ketones in the blood. [2]
As the most stable, abundant ketone, BHB is a highly efficient energy source for your body on ketosis. It provides the following benefits:
- Lessens inflammation in the body [3]
- Prevents cancer and slow down the growth of tumor [4]
- Brings down blood sugar levels, thus improving insulin sensitivity [5]
- Improves cognitive functions such as memory, and makes Alzheimer’s less likely [6]
- Improves cardiovascular health and basic metabolic functions [7]
Try ketone BHB salts
If you’re on a keto diet and looking for something that can aid your dietary patterns and low-carb lifestyle, then keto BHB salts may be a good supplement for you.
VALI Keto BHB Salts are convenient, portable, tasteless, on the go exogenous ketones for ketosis on demand. In fact, you can take ketosis with you wherever you go! No taste and no mixing powders. Get into ketosis faster and fuel your mind and body with clean and efficient ketogenic fuel.
VALI Keto BHB Salts can help accelerate ketosis and raise blood ketone levels to improve athletic performance, recovery, mental clarity, increase energy, and help your weight management with proper diet and exercise.
Sources
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5670148/
[2] https://www.ekfdiagnostics.com/res/Beta-Hydroxybutyrate - New Test for Ketoacidosis (Danbury Hospital article).pdf
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5981249/
[4] https://www.nature.com/articles/6601269
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4173993/