So perhaps you are also tempted to buy some of the other popular keto supplements, like exogenous ketones, MCTs, electrolytes… Sadly, most of these are just a waste of money.

The keto industry is valued at over $10B, so it’s no surprise that many ketogenic diet oriented brand want to keep promoting this products. However, not all keto supplements are necessary or beneficial.

Distinguishing what’s propaganda and what’s not can often be very tricky. I, myself, have bought keto aids and later regret it profoundly.

To help you out deciding which supplements are actually useful and which are not; here’s a quick guide to keto supplements.

Keto Supplements Ranked from Best to Worst

Let’s start with a quick infographic ranking most widely used keto supplements.

The Worst Keto Supplements

Let’s start with, what are the worst keto supplements you can buy? Outright, I think that the following are a waste of money for most people.

• Exogenous ketones. Often sold as accelerants for you to reach the ketogenic state, the truth is that there’s little evidence if they work. In fact, most experts will tell you to stay away. Your body will produce enough ketones on its own.
• Keto nootropics. As a matter of fact there’s nothing wrong with consuming nootropics while on keto. However, anything branded as “keto” nootropic is most likely an upsell, since most nootropics (with no sugar) will already be keto-friendly.
• Keto fat burners or fat burning enhancers. Simply stay away from any fat burners. You are already burning fat during keto; so this won’t do anything.

Situational Keto Supplements

Below, I will discuss what I consider the best nutritional supplements you can take on a keto diet. There are, however, a few more that could occasionally make sense.

• Keto strips and breath analyzers. While technically they are not a nutritional supplement, they are always mentioned around the keto diet. Keto strips can help you to measure if you are in ketosis. They can be useful at the start, but once you’ve been consuming a keto diet for few days you shouldn’t need the ratification. Instead, you could buy a breath analyzer, that will give you more accurate data of what your body is burning. Check now.
• MCT oil and powders. MCT oils and powders are one of the most popular keto supplements. They are sold as source of energy and as a tool to help you stay in ketosis. The reality is that they are similar to sugar; just extra calories but in fats (as opposed to carb). Only required if you are not eating enough. Check some options.
• Keto snacks. Once again, these are very situational. If you find yourself snacking often, then they might be useful. However, most keto snacks are nutritionally quite poor, and have more net carbs than the keto drinks discussed above. Thus, I would stick to keto meal replacements when possible. Instead, you can try to make your own with special keto mixes.
• Keto creamers. If you love coffee, you must have already started looking for a way to substitute your milk. For this, keto creamers will be very handy, and will significantly enhance the taste of your coffee.
• Keto collagen protein powder. Collagen can help you with skin, joint and hair health. However, there’s no reason why someone doing keto should be consuming collagen protein, more than if it wasn’t. Buy if you are interested, but not because you are doing keto.

Best Keto Supplements

So when it comes to the best keto supplements; there’s just a handful that I consider essential or truly useful.

• Electrolytes. When you switch to a ketogenic state, your body starts execrating more sodium. This also impacts other minerals like magnesium and potassium that have key roles in signaling and regulation. Thus, increasing your electrolyte intake (mineral intake) is key; particularly when you start or if you do a lot of exercise. This will help you avoiding the keto flu.
• Omega-3. DHA and EPA are omega-3 fatty acids. These, while often lacking in western diets are primordial for proper brain function. Sadly, bacon is not rich in these. Thus, if you are not consuming one of these top keto meal shakes, you might want to supplement it. Check out some options.
• Multivitamins. In theory, you don’t need extra multivitamins just because you are on a keto diet. However, making sure that you are getting all the essential micronutrients provides you a boost with not much cost. Check my favourite multivitamin.
• Green powders. Similarly to multivitamins, you don’t have any special requirement; but this will provide a boost to your greens intake. It can have beneficial impact in your immune system and overall health. My top picks for green powders.

Beyond the Best Keto Supplements

Besides keto supplements, the best keto meal replacements can also be of huge help for anyone doing or considering a keto diet.

These are powders or drinks that will provide you all the nutrients you need, including MCT oils, protein, all the fats that your body needs and more. They are not just supplements, because they are able to replace full meals.

So how could they help you?

• Convenience. For once, they are ultra convenient. You can have them no matter where you are; on the road, at work, at your parents… so that you don’t have to worry about finding a keto-friendly option.
• Time. Each meal will take you less than one minute to prepare! Let’s be honest, we don’t always have time to cook bacon, eggs and sausages.
• Nutrition. Many times in a keto diet you struggle to get all the micronutrients you need. The best keto shakes will provide you with all the vitamins and minerals that your body requires, including electrolytes to keep your body balanced.
• Money. Each shake will cost you $2.5-4. This can add up really fast and save you a lot of money in the long term.

---

Conclusion – What Are the Worst Keto Supplements?

	Function	Scientific backing?	Side Effect	Recommended?
Exogenous Ketones	Accelerant to help you reach ketogenic state	Very limited https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550413116304387 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550413116303552	Stomach issues	No
Keto Nootropics	Boost mental performance, awareness, boost	Yes	Minimal	No*
Keto Fat Burners	Help you burning more fat	No	Depends on product	No
Keto Strips	Reads blood ketones to help you understand if you are in ketosis	Yes	No	Situational
MCT Oil	Provide you with “quick energy” Help you with weight loss Might reduce lactate buildup	Some https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2874191/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18296368/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27080715/	Upset stomach Eating too many calories Liver fat buildup	Situational
Keto Snacks	Provide small keto meals to eat on the go Help you keeping your hunger at bay	–	Eating too much Nutritionally low Hidden sugars- out of keto	Situational
Keto Creamer	Add fats and calories to your coffee	–	Hidden sugars Extra calories Digestion issues	Situational
Keto Collagen Protein	Increase collagen intake Helps with skin care, joints	Yes https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835901/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6566836/		Situational
Protein Powders	Increase protein intake Maintain and increase muscle mass Keep you full	Yes	Extra calories Needs to be isolate – for no carbs	Situational
Electrolytes	Help you with keto flu Replenish electrolytes that you lose due to dehydration		Can have too much	Yes
Omega-3	Enhance brain function Help with mood Improve eye health…	Yes https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19262590/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3976923/ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/	Fishy taste Upset stomach Nausea	Yes
Multivitamins	Provide you with the daily required vitamins and mineral	Yes	Excess can lead to: Headache Poisoning	Yes
Green Powders	Increase the amount of greens; and nutrients + phytonutrients derived from vegetables	Yes – depends on the plant (mix)		Yes

Looking at all the points made above, I hope that I have cleared out some doubts around keto supplements. I have wasted plenty of money myself buying some of these products, and I wouldn’t want you to do the same.

The fact is that there’s a lot of money behind the keto diets, and newcomers might get lost on what is essential and what it isn’t. In the end, you end up trusting the companies and consequently overespending.

Therefore, you can now use this guide to keto supplements and make sure that you buy only what you need. Or at least be aware of what each supplement does when you buy it.