You either love it or you hate it. Everyone has an opinion on it. The Ketogenic (keto) diet has been the diet of the month for a while now. Although this diet has been around for a long time, since 1921 to be exact, its popularity has started to take off again. If you follow the ketogenic way of eating, here are 4 supplements you can take on a keto diet.
Four supplements to take on a Keto diet
June 03, 2020 4 min read
What is the keto diet?
The keto eating strategy was first discovered by Dr. Russel Wilder in France as a treatment for Epilepsy patients. They found that a common side effect for this eating strategy was weight loss. A keto diet involves an individual ingesting less than 20 grams of net carbohydrates a day. A net carbohydrate is one that is absorbed by the body. You calculate this by subtracting the fiber from the total number of carbohydrates.
A keto diet needs to be high in fat, sufficient in protein and low in carbohydrates. By restricting the amount of carbohydrates consumed, the body changes the way it produces and uses energy. Insulin levels decrease and fat stores are converted into fatty acids. Fatty acids are transported to the liver where they are oxidized, turned into ketones and used as energy. Having a high number of ketones in the blood is termed a metabolic state of ketosis. Intermittent fasting is a strategy often used to help reach and sustain ketosis.
Supplements to take on a keto diet
Here is a list of 4 VPA® supplements you can take on a keto diet.
VPA® Venom® Pre Workout
For that extra bit of boost for your next workout session, you cannot go past VPA® Venom® Pre Workout.At only 0.8g of carbs in every serve, and less than 0.1g of sugar, this pre-workout will help you stay well under 20g of net carbs a day. The caffeine will keep you energised and the taste will keep you intrigued.
Unlike a lot of other pre-workouts on the market, Venom® Pre-workout does not contain any refined sugars. Venom®is sweetened with Thaumatin which is a Katemfe Fruit extract. This natural sweetener has a ranking of 0 on the glycemic index so it is keto friendly. Venom®also contains Ashwagandha extract. Ashwaganda regulates cortisol (commonly known as the “stress hormone”) levels which can potentially hinder muscle growth and recovery.
VPA® Whey Protein Isolate
When you need to keep your carb intake to less than 20g a day it’s important to have a protein shake that is not only high in protein but low in carbs. With 0.8g of carbs and 26g of protein in each serve, the VPA® Whey Isolate (WPI) is the perfect keto friendly protein shake. Whey contains all 9 essential amino acids and BCAAs. They are called “essential” as your body can not make them and instead they must be obtained from food. They are important for the body to build and repair muscle. With 14 different VPA® Whey Isolate (WPI) flavours there is a flavour for everyone. Simply mix with almond milk or water for the perfect low carb protein shake.
VPA® Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT)
VPA® Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) are a perfect energy source for someone engaging in a keto eating strategy. It is no secret, the name is a dead giveaway, VPA® MCT powder contains medium length chains of fats called triglycerides. MCT are easily digested due to the shorter length chain. Their rapid digestion means they are quickly used by your body for energy. At only 2g of carbs in every serve, VPA® MCT promotes ketones in the bloodstream allowing for ketosis to take place and fuel the brain. MCT also aids in weight loss by releasing two hormones that promote the feeling of fullness. VPA® Medium Chain Triglycerides is an essential supplement for anyone looking to maintain ketosis.
VPA® BCAA 7000
BCAA is short for Branched Amino Acids. Leucine, isoleucine and valine are essential amino acids that make up the group of BCAAs which are used as building blocks for protein. BCAAs are broken down in the muscles rather than liver. They play a role in energy production and are performance enhancing. BCAA’s also help with accelerating recovery after training by minimizing muscle soreness. There is only 0.6g of carbohydrates in each serving of the VPA® BCAA 7000 making this supplement keto friendly. BCAA 7000 is also contains Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium. These help maintain your electrolyte supplementation.
Following a keto diet can potentially have many health benefits for an individual including weight loss. The supplements mentioned above can help with your journey into ketosis. Please consult with a medical professional before starting a keto diet. Always follow the instructions and directions on VPA® labels unless your medical professional gives you alternative advice.
To learn more about what keto supplements can improve your sports performance you can read this blog.
Like pizza? So do we! Here is a recipe for keto pizza.
If you want to find out more about MCT you can check out this blog.
Megan Jolly
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