Exogenous ketones are natural compounds that manifests weight loss activity. There are lots of benefits of from taking it like it enhances the body's fat burning process, you will feel more energetic, and it improves your brain power. If you’re on the keto diet but you eat something that doesn’t fit your eating plan- mostly carbs- you can take exogenous ketones.
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Contents
- 1 Best Exogenous Ketones Supplements Review 2021
- 2 Final Verdict
- 3 What are ketones?
- 4 Beta-Hydroxybutyrate: Ketone Salts vs Ketone Esters
- 5 What to Consider First Before Buying Exogenous Ketones?
- 6 Benefits of Exogenous Ketones
- 7 What Are the Side Effects?
- 8 Does it Really Work? Is it Safe?
- 9 MCT Oil Vs Exogenous Ketones: How Are They Different?
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The idea is that this will undo some of the bad effects of that cheat meal and keep you in ketosis.
Here is the list of the best exogenous ketones supplements out there in the market:
- Raspberry Ketones
- Perfect Keto
- Pruvit Keto//OS NAT CHARGED
- IGNITE KETO Energy Supplement
- Kiss My Keto
- Codeage BHB
- Giant Keto
- Zeal Keto BHB
- Oroline
‘Exogenous’ means outside or external. Exogenous ketones are an external form of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a ketone that your body makes naturally.
Top Products According to Experts
Product Name | Rating | |
---|---|---|
Perfect Keto | 9.7/10 | |
Raspberry Ketone Plus | 9.7/10 | |
Pruvit | 9.6/10 | |
IGNITE | 9.3/10 | |
Kiss My Keto | 9.2/10 | |
Codeage | 9/10 | |
Giant Keto | 8.8/10 | |
Zeal Keto | 8.5/10 | |
Oroline | 8.4/10 |
Best Exogenous Ketones Supplements Review 2021
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Perfect Keto are one of the better known, most trusted keto supplements going. Their exogenous ketones are true to form: a very solid first product in our list.
Their BHB ketones are easy to mix and will dissolve pretty well in whatever drink you choose: they seem to work particularly well in coconut water. It’s also one of the better tasting formulas available, with a natural, fruity sweetness rather than the over the top, artificial sweetness that many similar products come with.
The ingredients are all natural, as is the case with many of the entries on this list. There are no additives or fillers involved in Perfect Keto’s recipe. Obviously, there are no carbs or sugars present: nor are there the kinds of gum or binders that many powders boast.
Their ingredients are also the kind of high quality that Perfect Keto have become known for. Each container gives you 15 servings of highly tested, pure and effective ketones.
Though you get few frills with this product- some of the other products on this list come with added benefits- the sweet yet mellow taste can kill the bitterness of many beverages without being overpowering. This, and the quality of their powder, makes Perfect Keto’s exogenous ketones a winner in many people’s eyes.
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Vitapost Raspberry ketones are another simple, back to basics, good quality product. There is no caffeine here, no gum, no fillers, artificial flavours or colourings. It’s just the highest quality exogenous ketones available.
The supplement is packed with all the nutrients needed for low-carb diet.
The taste is exact replica of the fruit. Some say it taste sweet just like candy but in a form of a supplement but others say it tastes a little stale and unpleasant. It really just depends on the taste buds.
Generally speaking, though this is a matter of personal opinion. The important thing is that it helps a lot on improving your diet and achieve better results.
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Pruvit inhabit the same kind of spot as Perfect Keto. They are well known in the ketogenic scene, well trusted, and pack their products with very good quality ingredients.
If you take OS NAT CHARGED in combination with a strict keto diet, the rewards will be fantastic. Not only will it help you to lose weight very quickly, but the reported improved brain function is great. There is a formidable boost to energy levels and mental alacrity that comes with taking this product.
There is a downside to this. The energy boost may be a little severe and some users have reported having a hard time sleeping.
However, OS NAT CHARGED will make you feel better and more energetic and will do a very good job of helping you stay on track and in ketosis. As with Perfect Keto, all ingredients are natural and the taste is quite mellow, without any hint of artificial sweetening at all.
4. KETO IGNITE Exogenous Ketones
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KETO Ignite gives a decent energy boost and can help to reduce craving, as any good quality BHB should do. Its BHB salts are pretty decent: they are pure, effective and their flavouring is really nice.
IGNITE claim that their formula mixes easily and is therefore great for anybody on the go. You can mix it with water, with your protein shake and so on for a quick fix of exogenous ketones.
This isn’t necessarily true. KETO Ignite is great tasting, but it mixes quite poorly. It doesn’t fully dissolve into the water, leaving a little residue around the rim of whatever you’re drinking from.
Once you learn a bit more about the company, this makes complete sense. They are great. They are a small, family run business who really put their heart and soul into their products, giving you their best so that you will get exactly what you want.
The reason the formula doesn’t mix very well is that they want it to be as pure as possible. They don’t use any caking agents or fillers, nothing at all, so that all you get is 100% pure BHB.
They are well worth trying out.
5. Kiss My Keto
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Kiss My Keto Exogenous Ketones are a bit like rocket fuel.
It’s suitable for anybody on keto, paleo and all low carb diets, containing no sugars or carbs. It contains no artificial flavours or ingredients, like many of the products on this list. It is also a great combination of exogenous ketones and MCT oil: everything a keto dieter needs to keep their energy up, their ketones brewing and their appetite manageable.
Kiss My Keto will deliver consistent energy throughout the day. It among the best in this list for doing so, thanks to its combination formula. Your mental alacrity will be top-notch and your focus will be the best it’s ever been.
6. Codeage BHB
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Codeage BHB are perhaps the only product on this list that beats Kiss My Keto for the potency of their combination formula with their exogenous ketone supplement. As with Kiss My Keto, they couple BHBs with MCTs for long lasting, peerless energy and alertness.
They also include a mix of antioxidant-rich adaptogenic herbs specifically designed for those on a ketogenic lifestyle. This will support nutritional ketosis when paired with proper dietary and exercise practice: you will have more energy, and your immune system will be tougher, than ever.
Their formula is 100% natural, GMO-free, keto friendly and fast absorbing.
7. Giant Keto
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Giant Keto’s exogenous ketone supplement is great tasting and brings about a lot of energy: you won’t be needing your morning coffee with this. Their product does exactly what it should, like most of the products on this list, but those customers who have used it will all be talking about the energy kick they’ve had from it.
This being said, their packaging isn’t great. Their containers come filled maybe a third way up, with nothing like the fifteen servings promised. This is unfortunate, as it takes an otherwise decent product and makes it feel a little like a scam.
Those who like it, love it: just be prepared to keep buying replacements as Giant Keto don’t give you giant amounts.
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Zeal Keto make some big claims about their exogenous ketones: they call it the most powerful exogenous keto supplement on the market.
This is tough talk, but they can back it up. You get 2100mg of BHB salts, natural caffeine, and L-Carnitine Tartrate (an essential amino acid.) This will blow you into ketosis with an amazing amount of energy to spare. This energy will last you, too, with great mental clarity persisting throughout the day, a quick buzz when you first drink it, followed by a slower, mid-range burn.
It is well worth taking as a pre-workout supplement if your training days have been feeling a little sluggish.
Zeal Keto BHB exogenous ketones also come in handy pill forms, so you don’t need any fuss over them. Just pop the recommended dose in the morning and get on with your day.
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Keto Burn pills bill themselves as containing an advanced formula guaranteed to help you lose weight and feel more energised. They’re not wrong: their pills will help you to lose weight through ketosis. But it’s hardly an advanced formula. All it contains is a fairly standard mixture of BHBs and caffeine.
Together, these will produce a minor thermogenic effect, give you an energy kick and assist you in reaching and maintaining ketosis.
Their claim itself doesn’t explain how good they are: many other products contain BHB salts and caffeine as a matter of course. In addition, there is no information available on their formula, so any claims they do make beyond the addition of caffeine are unverifiable.
However, user reviews and anecdotal testimonies do seem to back up their claims. People who are feeling sluggish or have lacked in motivation have posted reviews saying that this product completely turned it around for them, boosting them through to ketosis with energy to spare.
Certainly, taking these pills does seem to give the great boost they claim it does.
Final Verdict
Perfect Keto
Perfect Keto have to take the prize here. They are, of course, one of the best trusted keto supplements going. This is in part due to the quality of their ingredients.
Their great tasting BHB ketones are easy to work with. They dissolve well and easily mix into whatever you need them to, are completely natural and pure, with no fillers or additives involved.
To reiterate what we said above: their ingredients are the high quality that Perfect Keto have become known for. You get capsules of highly tested, pure and effective ketones in each bottle, and you should be thoroughly satisfied with what you get.
Perfect Keto products are almost guaranteed to do the job. They will take you into ketosis efficiently, with no frills and no fuss. The energy boost you get will be from their pure, great quality ketones and nothing more, and it should last you all day long after taking just a single serving in the morning.
They are great value for money.
What are ketones?
These are acids known as ketoacids which are produced by the liver when there isn’t enough glucose that goes into and fuel the body. Liver thus then undergo ketogenesis where in the body uses the fats and burn them to produce ketones which is then used by the muscles and tissues to function.
An individual who is in the state of ketosis will then experience weight loss which is a proven benefit of it. Other benefits are enhanced brain power, better mood and energy, promotes immunity, better appetite suppression, and will have an undistracted sleep.
Beta-Hydroxybutyrate: Ketone Salts vs Ketone Esters
Both of these substances offer the same reaction to the body which is weight loss, better cognitive performance, and etc., but these two has its ups and downs.
Ketones Esters is a more potent substance that offer longer and stronger state of ketosis. The downside of this is that the taste is just unbearable. It has an unpleasant taste which is hard to get rid of that’s why this product is hardly put on the market. Also, this substance has the potential of harming to the body in case of overdosing.
On the other hand, Ketone Salts is the one mostly put on commercial listings. It is not as potent than the esters but its taste is bearable and not overpowering. That’s why it is heavily marketed and mixed with different varieties of flavors. It is also safer than the esters since it is mild form of the substance which is tolerable for the body.
What to Consider First Before Buying Exogenous Ketones?
Exogenous ketones can be very hard on the wallet. They are expensive, so it’s a good idea to make sure you choose the right one for you so as to limit the amount of money you waste.
Lots of companies make ridiculous claims about their products. They call them ‘miracle fat loss pills’ and claim that they can revolutionise your life. They claim that they can put you into ketosis without any effort at all, allowing for as much cheating on your diet as you want.
None of these claims are true. Exogenous ketones are simply a tool to help you out when your diet and fitness regime are both on point. Ignore any company that makes wild claims like these and shop instead for those who call their products what they are.
Ignore products with lots of fillers, and those with lots of unnecessary ingredients (note: many will have multiple active ingredients and this is fine as long as they are useful to you). Pick something with a straightforward formula and a good dose of what you’re actually buying them for.
You’ll have a couple of options when it comes to buying your supplement for ketogenic diet, aside from simply brand and formula.
Powder or Pills
It’s usual to find ketones as powdered BHB salts. However, you can also buy ketone esters from a few vendors. These are a very pure form of ketone that get to work in about a quarter of the time that it takes usual ketones to work (15 minutes compared to an hour.)
Ketone esters are far more expensive and far less palatable than BHB salts, which is part of the reason they are harder to find.
Some people prefer medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oils or else will use a mixture of these and exogenous ketones. We’ll go more into this in more detail below.
When choosing your exogenous ketones, you will generally have the choice between powder and pills. Powder works best if you want to use it in a recipe: in protein shakes, smoothies, coffee and so on. Pills work better as a quick supplement on-the-go.
Flavors
There will also be a lot of flavors- and a degree of variation in flavor quality- to look out for. It’s always best to shop around to find the flavors you like the best, so consider trying a few different types and brands.
Key Ingredients
The key ingredients and the additional ingredients also need bearing in mind. For key ingredients, you want a good quality BHB in an adequate dose (as can be found in all the products in our list, below.)
For additional ingredients, many formulas will sport some form of caffeine or vitamin and mineral boost. These all work great at overcoming the lethargy and fatigue often associated with keto flu and are well worth looking into.
Benefits of Exogenous Ketones
There are two benefits of exogenous ketones that are most commonly cited. The first has been covered above: if you break your ketogenic diet, you can use exogenous ketones to elicit ketosis once more, repairing much of the damage done by your slip-up.
The second benefit is in countering keto flu. Keto flu refers to the set of symptoms that commonly occur when somebody is first going into ketosis. These can include upset stomach, lethargy, low mood and libido, and a lack of mental clarity.
Effects like these can be mitigated by exogenous ketone use.
Taking exogenous ketones may lead to:
- Increased weight loss
- Increased energy
- Better cognitive focus
- Improved mood
- Decreased appetite
- Better sleep
- Improved recovery after exercise
What Are the Side Effects?
Ketone supplements, like the ketogenic diet more broadly, can cause or exacerbate stomach complaints and digestive issues in limited cases.
Taking BHB salts in particular can also present a risk of electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are vital to healthy functioning of electrical signals in your muscles and neurons and play an important role in heartbeat regulation.
There are also concerns that the use of this supplement and the ketogenic diet itself can decrease blood sugar levels to a dangerous degree, leading to the weakness and lethargy associated with hypoglycaemia.
There are some additional downsides to exogenous ketone supplementation. Many companies do not fully disclose information pertaining to their ingredients, preferring instead to keep their formulas secret. You may not know the quantities of BHB that you’re getting with each dose, severely limiting the products’ utility.
There is also a serious lack of scientific consensus surrounding the benefits of exogenous ketones. Though some studies- and many fitness and healthcare professionals- swear by them, many point to the lack of evidence that BHB salts are really advantageous at all.
Does it Really Work? Is it Safe?
Exogenous ketone supplements are perfectly safe for most people to take, especially if they have no pre-existing health.
They are fully relevant for anybody looking to get into ketosis without the side effects, or for anybody following the ketogenic diet who slips up and eats carbs from time to time. They are also relevant, and most effective, for people who have good quality health and fitness regimes in place and who have their diet on track.
If this is you, you are probably both safe to take exogenous ketones, and amongst those most likely to benefit from them.
It’s always best to seek medical advice if you are unsure whether or not you should be taking it, or if you have any pre-existing medical conditions and are looking to follow the keto diet with them.
People who have not already maximised their diet and lifestyle- or who aren’t planning to do so imminently- might not benefit so much from exogenous ketones.
Anybody with kidney or stomach issues, women who are pregnant, or those suffering with long term chronic illnesses should always consult their healthcare practitioner before trying exogenous ketones or any other form of dietary supplementation.
MCT Oil Vs Exogenous Ketones: How Are They Different?
As mentioned above, many ketogenic devotees supplement their diets with MCT oil either alongside or instead of exogenous ketones.
Whereas exogenous ketones deliver ketones to your body, medium chain triglycerides are supposed to boost energy and increase natural ketone production. They aid your body in creating the ketones you need to flourish through ketosis.
MCT oil contains fatty acids. It is these that stimulate your body’s production of ketone bodies. Therefore, you will enter ketosis more quickly than you otherwise would whilst staving off the keto flu- much like exogenous ketones allow you to do.
MCT oil is very convenient to take, as are exogenous ketone pills and powders. You can add it to your coffee in place of milk, mix it into shakes and smoothies and even use it in home cooked meals and bakery. In this regard, its uses are very similar to exogenous ketones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A. What is the best way to use exogenous ketones?
Use them when you’re first going into ketosis, or to recover ketosis immediately after eating a heavy load of carbs. Either take tablets, or stir powder into your favourite beverage.
B. When is the best time to take exogenous ketones?
Take them in the morning to ensure long-lasting energy. If you suffer an afternoon dip, a second dose can work quite well around 2-3pm, or whatever time works best for your schedule.
C. How long do exogenous ketones stay in your system?
Ketones are naturally produced and should keep continually replenishing. It should buffer this and a morning dose will typically last throughout most of the day.
D. How effective is it for weight loss?
The supplement themselves are not effective for weight loss. No products are. However, they are a great aid for staying in ketosis, which can be incredibly effective for weight loss for a lot of people.
E. Is it okay to take exogenous ketones before bed?
It’s up to you. Some people find they get a really good night’s sleep with an evening dose, whilst others can’t drop off. Try it for yourself to see. Just take note of the caffeine content of the product you’re using: obviously, added caffeine won’t be great before bed.
F. Can there be any dangers in taking exogenous ketones?
Exogenous ketones in recommended doses pose no risk to most people, as mentioned above. The ketogenic diet itself may not be suitable for everyone, and taking above the recommended dose can lead to some health complications.
G. Can you take exogenous ketones while fasting?
Yes. In fact, many practitioners of intermittent fasting find them very helpful. Exogenous ketones should keep you energised and should help to control your appetite during a fasting period.
H. How long does it take to see visible results?
This is quite dependent on the individual. However, a ketogenic diet, followed correctly, with a minor caloric deficit, should yield results quite quickly. You should be able to consistently lose 1-2lbs per week, starting from the first week.