As the ketogenic diet continues to grow in popularity, so do more and more people interested in how to optimize their health. Following this high-fat, low-carb diet plan has been shown to really improve results. Because the keto diet eliminates a lot of food variety, it's a good idea to supplement your daily diet with important nutrients. Not to mention, some supplements can help dieters reduce the negative effects of the keto flu and even improve athletic performance when training on a low-carb diet.
Supplements for the Keto Diet
Electrolyte supplements or mineral-rich foods
Focusing on mineral supplementation is important for people following a ketogenic diet, especially when first transitioning to this way of eating. The first few weeks can be difficult as the body adjusts to very low carbohydrate intake. When switching to a ketogenic diet, the body loses more water. Sodium, potassium, and magnesium can also decrease, leading to keto flu symptoms like headaches, muscle cramps, and fatigue. In addition, athletes on a keto diet may experience even more fluid and electrolyte loss due to frequent sweating. Electrolyte supplements containing sodium, potassium and magnesium are a proven solution.
Vitamins for the Keto Diet
In general, there shouldn't be a lot of vitamin deficiencies on the keto diet. (As long as you eat at least five servings of green/leafy/cruciferous vegetables daily.) However, several water-soluble vitamins can be difficult to meet your daily needs while on a keto diet. These can include vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6, all of which are not found in as much in fruits and vegetables (but are usually found in meats such as beef liver).