The Top Keto Pills and Supplements to Support Your Keto Diet in 2024
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The ketogenic diet has gained popularity in recent years as a healthy lifestyle trend and weight loss diet. However, it isn’t exactly new, and it hasn’t always been used as a dieting strategy to burn fat. In fact, the keto diet was originally introduced in the 1920s to treat epilepsy and may also be a promising therapeutic to manage Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders.
While the ketogenic diet certainly has merit as an effective method to lose weight, most people find it challenging to adhere to the restrictive dietary protocol. Limiting your carbohydrate intake to achieve a state of ketosis forces the body into a metabolic transition that can lead to “keto flu” and fatigue. Many who attempt a keto diet eventually have to stop.
That’s where keto supplements come into play. They provide the body with exogenous ketone sources to complement a strict keto diet and make it more tolerable. Studies show that ketone supplementation can offset the energy drag associated with following a ketogenic diet and may help keto dieters stay in ketosis.
This article introduces our picks for the best keto supplements on the market and discusses the benefits and risks of using keto supplements while following a ketogenic diet.
This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.
Our Picks for the Best Keto Supplement:
- Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Collagen
- KetoCharge
- Shredded Keto
- Keto Cycle Fuel Powder
- Zhou Nutrition Keto Drive
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Collagen
Transparent Labs
Key features & specs
- Claims: Reduces signs of aging like wrinkly skin, joint pain, muscle aches and brittle/thinning hair; enhances joint function and integrity
- Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed bovine collagen
- Dosage: One scoop 1-2 times daily
- Collagen per serving: 11 grams
- Nutrition facts: 50 calories, 10 grams protein, less than one gram sugar, 30 milligrams sodium, two grams carbohydrates, 0.5 milligrams iron
- Flavors: Chocolate
- Certifications: Third-party testing by Analytical Resource Laboratories
- Subscription: Your choice of a 30-, 45- or 60-day shipping frequency, 10% savings
- Sweeteners: Stevia
- Best for: Keto dieters looking to boost their protein and collagen intake; individuals looking to improve their skin and ligament health
- Price per serving: $1.17
Transparent Labs is a dietary supplement company that provides products for weight loss, recovery after exercise and overall wellness. Transparent Labs Collagen is a powdered collagen supplement that comes in a rich Chocolate flavor. One scoop provides 11 grams of collagen peptides, which is within the effective dosage range of 2.5–15 grams per day.
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Collagen tops our list of the best keto supplements because it uses hydrolyzed collagen—a high quality form of collagen that is easier to absorb and digest. Plus, it dissolves easily into water and can also be mixed into milk or your morning coffee. For best results, Transparent Labs recommends taking this supplement immediately after your workout.
Reviews for this product indicate that it is both great tasting and effective. A review by verified buyer Greg A. reads, “Love this product. I’ve been suffering from tennis elbow for months now when at the gym. Really affecting my workouts. After approximately 2 weeks of using the collagen supplement, my elbow is pain free & no longer using an elbow brace during my workouts. Highly recommend this product!”
Related Post: The Best Collagen Supplements for Healthy Skin, Joints and Hair
Pros:
- Third-party tested
- Low-calorie
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Only comes in one flavor
KetoCharge
KetoCharge
Key features & specs
- Claims: Fast-tracks ketosis; helps prevent brain fog and other keto flu symptoms; boosts energy levels; improves cognitive function; reduces cravings to support weight loss
- Key ingredients: Magnesium beta-hydroxybutyrate, calcium beta-hydroxybutyrate, sodium beta-hydroxybutyrate
- Dosage: Two capsules daily
- Ketones (BHB) per serving: 800 milligrams
- Nutrition facts: N/A
- Flavors: N/A
- Certifications: GMO-free
- Subscription: N/A
- Sweeteners: None
- Best for: Keto dieters looking for an energy boost and relief from keto flu symptoms
- Price per serving: $1.99
KetoCharge is formulated to enhance your keto diet experience and help you avoid the dreaded keto flu. It contains three different ketone salts to kickstart ketosis and provide recovery from cheat meals.
We included KetoCharge on our list of the best keto diet supplements because it has glowing customer reviews. One customer testimonial reads, “Best energy ever! I’ve been on Keto for 12 months and lost over 100 pounds but I felt crappy and tired all the time. KetoCharge gave me a huge boost and now I can continue my low carb lifestyle”.
Another KetoCharge consumer remarked, “[KetoCharge] helps me stick to keto! I’ve tried keto so many times but never got past the first 10 days because of cravings for candy. KetoCharge has improved the experience so much and I’ve been on keto for 9 months now.”
Pros:
- Non-GMO
- Made in the USA
- 60-day money back guarantee
Cons:
- Lower amount of ketones per serving than other keto supplements on our list
Shredded Keto
Shredded Keto
Key features & specs
- Claims: Accelerates fat-burning weight loss; kickstarts ketosis; releases fat stores; increases energy levels
- Percent of daily value: Not established
- Key ingredients: Proprietary formula
- Dosage: Two capsules daily
- Ketones (BHB) per serving: Unknown
- Nutrition facts: N/A
- Flavors: N/A
- Certifications: GMP-certified
- Subscription: N/A
- Sweeteners: Unknown
- Best for: Keto dieters who need help achieving a state of ketosis
- Price per serving: $1.99
Shredded Keto touts a formula of full spectrum keto BHB salts. It’s designed to help keto dieters achieve ketosis faster and maintain a keto lifestyle longer. Although this product features a proprietary formula, it is GMP-certified, which means it has met the quality standards of good manufacturing practices. Plus, the customer success stories featured on the official website indicate that this product is an effective supplement to maintain a keto diet and lose weight.
Here’s what one customer had to say: “Shredded Keto is by far the best product I’ve used for ketosis. It works and it works well. I am the leanest I have ever been in my life. I had my body fat tested before and after and I went from a whopping 26 percent body fat down to 16 percent in four months.”
Pros:
- GMP-certified
- Positive customer success stories
Cons:
- Proprietary formula not publicly available
Keto Cycle Fuel Powder
Amazon
Key features & specs
- Claims: Curbs cravings; relieves keto flu symptoms; provides anti-aging benefits
- Key ingredients: Bovine collagen peptides, medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
- Dosage: One scoop daily
- Ketones per serving: None
- Nutrition facts: 80 calories, 5 grams fat, 4 grams carbohydrates, 7 grams protein, 1 milligram iron, 300 milligrams chloride, 240 milligrams sodium, 200 milligrams potassium
- Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla
- Certifications: Non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free
- Subscription: N/A
- Sweeteners: Stevia extract
- Best for: Individuals following a keto diet who need help controlling food cravings; individuals following a keto diet and looking for relief from keto flu
- Price per serving: $3.99
Keto Cycle was created to provide consumers with the complete keto diet experience. In addition to keto supplements, the company is the maker of a leading ketogenic diet app that provides expert tools and education to guide your keto journey.
Keto Cycle Fuel Powder provides a blend of collagen peptides and medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) to curb hunger pangs and ease your transition into ketosis. In studies, MCT doses range from 5 to 70 grams daily, and there are 4.5 grams of MCTs in this supplement. However, it’s not clear what dose is needed to obtain health benefits from them.
We rank Keto Cycle Fuel Powder as one of the best keto supplements because it has a variety of essential nutrients to help fill your nutritional gaps during a ketogenic diet. These include potassium, iron and seven grams of protein per serving. Plus, the collagen component provides anti-aging benefits for healthier looking skin, nails and hair.
Customer reviews for this supplement tend to highlight its great taste and effectiveness. One consumer review reads, “I was a bit skeptical about it but it works quite well! It helped me lose water weight and feel less bloated. The vanilla flavor is sooo good. It feels more like a treat than a supplement!”
Related Post: The Best MCT Oils of 2024
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- No added sugar
- No artificial fillers, additives or preservatives
Cons:
- Pricey compared to other keto supplements on our list
Zhou Nutrition Keto Drive
Zhou
Key features & specs
- Claims: Promotes ketosis; promotes a healthy metabolism; supports increased blood ketone levels; supports healthy cognitive function for improved focus and performance
- Key ingredients: Calcium beta-hydroxybutyrate, sodium beta-hydroxybutyrate, magnesium beta-hydroxybutyrate trihydrate, caffeine anhydrous
- Dosage: One scoop daily
- Ketones (BHB) per serving: 11.7 grams
- Nutrition facts: 5 calories, 850 milligrams calcium, 940 milligrams sodium, 110 milligrams magnesium
- Flavors: Black Cherry
- Certifications: Gluten-free, vegan
- Subscription: N/A
- Sweeteners: Stevia
- Best for: Individuals following a keto diet who want a keto supplement with an added caffeine energy boost; keto dieters who are athletes, regular gym-goers or lead active lifestyles
- Price per serving: $3.12
Zhou Nutrition is a wellness supplement company founded by a small group of runners, yogis and athletes. Some of the company’s best sellers include products for men’s health, women’s health, immune system support, thyroid function and even sexual performance.
Keto Drive contains a premium blend of three BHB ketones plus caffeine to provide sustained energy throughout the day or for a high-performance training session.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cites that a healthy individual can safely consume 400 mg of caffeine per day. Keto Drive has 98 mg of caffeine per serving, so one scoop should be enough to provide energy for an intense workout without causing other side effects or interfering with your sleep.
Zhou Nutrition suggests taking one scoop of this supplement with 16 ounces of cold water. For best results, start with half a scoop to assess your tolerance.
Customers have rated Keto Drive at 4.5/5 stars, and seem to love the addition of the caffeine to jump start their mornings and drive their gym workouts. A review from verified buyer Nicole B. reads, “It tastes amazing and gets me going when getting ready for my day. I’ve been using it for about two weeks in addition to the keto Drive capsules and I'm down almost 3 lbs! I will definitely continue using this product.”
Pros:
- High amount of ketones (BHB) per serving
- Provides an energy boost
- Very low amount of calories
- Gluten-free and vegan-friendly
Cons:
- Pricey compared to other keto supplements on our list
- Not the best option for individuals sensitive to caffeine
What is a Keto Supplement?
A keto supplement is a type of dietary supplement that contains natural exogenous ketones to help support ketosis during a ketogenic diet. You might also see them referred to as keto diet pills, keto weight loss pills, keto weight loss supplements, ketone supplements or ketone salts.
A keto supplement typically contains ketones in the form of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Some also contain medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which help boost ketone production.
Benefits of Keto Supplements
The benefits of keto supplements are vast, ranging from weight loss support to the treatment of psychiatric disorders and heart disease.
Many people turn to keto supplements during a low-carb, high-fat diet to offset the symptoms of keto flu—the body’s response as it transitions from using glucose to ketones as its primary energy source.
Studies also show that an exogenous supply of ketone bodies, such as a BHB salt, can provide an alternative energy source (ATP) to the brain during calorie or carbohydrate restrictions.
Additionally, keto supplements may help dieters lose body fat and body weight more efficiently and burn fat faster. Plus, they can be a beneficial addition to any weight loss program, not just a keto diet.
Precautions of Keto Supplements
Although keto supplements typically contain exogenous ketones that are bioidentical to the endogenous ketones produced in our bodies, they still have the potential to cause unwanted side effects. This is especially true for keto supplements that contain additional ingredients, like MCTs.
The potential side effects of keto supplements include dizziness, headaches, constipation and stomach discomfort. Furthermore, MCT oil or powder can cause flatulence, diarrhea, stomach pain and bloating when taken in large doses. It’s important not to exceed the recommended dosage of any keto supplement you buy.
Additionally, consult a physician before using a keto supplement if you are pregnant, nursing, under the age of 18, or if you have a serious medical condition.
If you have an adverse reaction to taking keto supplements, consider following a cyclical ketogenic diet instead. Also called “keto cycling”, a cyclical ketogenic diet is a more lenient form of the keto diet. It involves adhering to a standard keto diet for five to six days of the week and indulging in a higher carb intake for 1-2 non-consecutive days. It’s often used by people who want to increase muscle mass and improve their athletic performance. It can also lessen the severity of keto flu and make it easier to adhere to a ketogenic diet without the help of keto supplements.
You may also find a keto meal delivery service helpful to maintain your keto diet long-term. These delivery services typically provide well-balanced meals that prevent you from having nutritional gaps in your diet. Using a keto meal delivery service, you may find that you don’t need a keto supplement.
It’s also important to note that the keto diet is not meant to be adhered to long-term, and a recent study in Frontiers in Nutrition found that for certain groups, such as those with kidney disease or those who are pregnant, and that the keto diet can have negative effects long-term and may put people at higher risk for conditions, such as heart-disease.
How to Choose the Best Keto Supplements for You
There’s no single perfect keto supplement for any one person, but certain supplements may work better for your health than others. An effective strategy for finding the best keto supplement for your health and weight loss goals is to focus on the supplement’s formula. Avoid keto supplements with caffeine if you are sensitive to stimulants. If you suffer from gastrointestinal issues, it’s best to choose a keto supplement with a low dose of BHB and MCT per serving or avoid them altogether.
Common Keto Supplement Ingredients
The most common ingredients you’ll find in keto supplements are BHB, MCT, collagen, green tea extract and caffeine.
Beta-hydroxybutyrate—A ketone produced by the body that provides energy during extended periods of carbohydrate restriction. It is synthesized in the liver from fatty acids.
Medium chain triglycerides—A type of fat found in oils, such as palm and coconut oil. They are often included in weight loss supplements as an appetite suppressant.
Collagen—A structural protein that provides support for skin, muscles, bones and connective tissues.
Green Tea Extract and Caffeine—Well-known thermogenic fat burners.
How We Chose the Best Keto Supplement
We chose our picks for the best keto supplements using a combination of criteria, including: product quality and safety, reputation of the manufacturer, third-party certification status, affordability and customer reviews. In general, we looked for products that used natural ingredients and were free of additives, fillers and preservatives.
Keto Supplement FAQs
Do keto pills help with weight loss?
Yes, when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, keto pills can help with weight loss.
Does the keto diet help burn belly fat?
Yes, the keto diet transitions the body into a state of burning fat rather than glucose for energy. The diet (or any diet) doesn’t target belly fat specifically, but it can decrease your overall body fat percentage and in turn slim down your waist and abdominal area.
How can I get into ketosis fast?
Following a keto diet that restricts your carbohydrate intake to five to ten percent of your daily calorie intake will help you achieve a state of ketosis. Keto supplements may also help you get into ketosis faster and stay there longer than you otherwise would.
Takeaway: Are Keto Supplements Worth It?
Keto supplements can be worth it for individuals following a keto diet and having a hard time dealing with the associated symptoms of keto flu. A keto supplement can increase your energy levels, get rid of brain fog and help keep you in a state of ketosis. Combined with a low-calorie healthy diet, keto supplements can support your weight loss and keep you from gaining weight back in the future.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
