Ketogenic Diet Supplements

The Ketogenic Diet does not typically provide a complete intake of all required nutrients, so supplementation is recommended, especially salt, selenium, fiber, and vitamins.

1 Sodium (Salt)

Some authorities recommend increased salt intake because low carbohydrate diets cause of the kidneys to excrete sodium. This "natriuresis of starvation" may be due to low insulin, increased dopamine excretion, or elevated Glucagon. If both carbohydrate and sodium intakes are limited then the body will secrete aldosterone which will cause the kidneys to excrete potassium and conserve sodium. This loss of potassium can cause Muscle Cramps and heart arrhythmias, as well has the loss of Muscle Tissue. Personally I found higher salt intake to be critical during the Ketogenic Diet or my blood pressure would drop too low.

2 Selenium

Insufficient intake of selenium can result in a weakening of the heart muscles (cardiomyopathy), and the ketogenic diet may not provide a sufficient intake. Good sources of Selenium that could be used on a ketogenic diet include are Brazil nuts, tuna, beef, chicken and turkey, but supplementation is normally recommended.

3 Fiber and Constipation Supplements

Constipation is a common issue with low carbohydrate diets as they can be low in fiber. Recommended approaches to reducing constipation include MCT oil, avocadoes, prunes, exercise and good hydration, or even a mild laxative such as Miralax. Personally, I've found the ketogenic diet to produce a change in stool consistency even with a comparable fiber intake, which may be due to the way that non-fiber carbohydrates pass through the digestive system and are metabolized by the intestinal flora.

4 Vitamins

For children using the Ketogenic diet for seizure control, daily supplementation with calcium, vitamin D, zinc, selenium and multivitamin/mineral is required . There are anecdotal reports of scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency) while on ketogenic diets.

5 Omega-3

For children on the Ketogenic diet for epilepsy, the recommended range of Omega-3 is 0.6-1.2% of their total fat intake. The FDA recommends the Omega-3 intake from fish not exceed 3 grams/day.

6 MCT

MCT can be added to a ketogenic diet to improve the ketone levels by adding 5-25 grams per meal or per day. (Coconut oil is normally 60-70% MCT.)

7 Carnitine

Carnitine is critical for the metabolism of fat, and generally the body will make enough, but there may be cases where supplementation is required. It is possible to test for carnitine deficiency, which, if used, should be repeated every 3-6 months. If carnitine levels are <15, then extra carnitine is often given, especially if combined with symptoms of sleepiness or sluggishness.

8 Oral Citrates

Taking Potassium citrate (Polycitra K) can reduce the risk of kidney stones by 7x, probably by reducing urine acidity.

9 See Also

• The classifications and types of Low Carbohydrate Diet.
• An introduction to the Ketogenic Diet.
• My experiences with ultrarunning on the Ketogenic Diet
  • How the Ketogenic Diet can be used for the treatment and management of disease.
    • Using the Ketogenic Diets to mitigate and treat Epilepsy
    • How Ketogenic Diets might help with Cancer
    • A look at the possible mechanisms of action of the Ketogenic Diet
  • Health Risks of the Ketogenic Diet
    • Health Checks for the Ketogenic Diet
    • Supplements for the Ketogenic Diet
  • The time frame and changes that occur with Ketoadaptation
  • What are Ketones
    • How to measure Ketones
    • What ketone levels to aim for
  • The pros and cons of the Ketogenic Diet for athletes
    • The Science of Ketogenic Exercise
  • The Types of Ketogenic Diet
    • The "traditional" Ketogenic Diet based on the Ketogenic Ratio
      • The ways the Ketogenic Ratio can be calculated
        • The different definitions of Net Carbohydrates
    • Low Glycemic Index Treatment
    • MCT Diet
      • MCT
    • Modified Atkins Diet (M.A.D.)
• My Ketogenic Recipes
• Non-Ketogenic Low Carbohydrate Diets