Written by Steve Theunissen | ISSA: CPT & Fitness Nutrition
Fact checked by Robert Iafelice, MS, RD, LDN
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With its potential for rapid weight loss and improved metabolic health, the ketogenic diet has established itself as one of the most popular on the planet. The inevitable raft of supporting products and services, including weight loss supplements, has emerged around the diet to cash in on the keto craze. Many of them are completely useless, others are useful but not necessary, and a few, like keto sticks, are almost essential.
So, which of these categories does the popular supplement Keto Charge fall into? We wanted to find out, so we decided to undertake an in-depth review of Keto Charge. What you're about to read is the result of that intensive investigation. By the end, you'll know, once and for all, whether Keto Charge deserves to be part of your ketogenic diet program.
Table Of Contents:
- What Is Keto Charge?
- Keto Charge Review: Pass Or Fail?
- Keto Charge Ingredients
- Keto Charge Claimed Benefits
- Keto Charge Side Effects
- Real Keto Charge Customer Reviews
- What Is Ketosis?
- What Are The Benefits Of Ketosis?
- Is Keto Good For Weight Loss?
Keto Charge can help you avoid the dreaded "Keto flu" and get your body into ketosis quicker. No more having to wait three days after eating a sugary treat. Keto Charge can...
What Is Keto Charge?
Keto Charge is a dietary supplement designed to be used in conjunction with the ketogenic diet. It is intended to speed up the process of switching from a sugar-burning to a fat- and keto-burning energy system by getting you into ketosis faster. At the same time, Keto Charge promises to offset the adverse side effects of going into ketosis, commonly known as the 'keto flu.'
The marketing surrounding Keto Charge claims that the supplement will help you stick with the diet, reducing the chances of 'falling off the wagon.' As a diet pill, the product contains what it calls 'slimming salts' that can help you recover after a high-carb cheat session. The website also claims that you will experience an immediate energy boost as soon as you take Keto Charge.
To achieve its goals, Keto Charge consists of key healthy salts and vitamins the body needs to enhance its ability to use fat as its main energy source. This is presented as an 800 mg proprietary blend of Magnesium Beta Hydroxybutyrate, Calcium Beta Hydroxybutyrate, and Sodium Beta Hydroxybutyrate.
These keto pills are designed for people aged 18 or over who want to speed up their results while following the keto diet. KetoCharge, a company under the Wolfson Brands stable, manufactures it. This is a UK-based health supplement organization with an established reputation in the industry.
Keto Charge is only available from the official website. A 30-day supply costs $59.99 (down from $74.99), with discounts on bulk purchases. A 60-day money-back guarantee supports your purchase.
Keto Charge Review: Pass Or Fail?
When we went into this review, we were pretty skeptical, thinking that Keto Charge was probably just another low-benefit cash-in supplement to take advantage of the keto craze. But our investigation has made us into somewhat of a believer.
The proprietary blend of BHB-bonded minerals will help to get you into ketosis faster, with the bonding also improving bioavailability. The combination of magnesium, calcium, and sodium will also help to offset the common symptoms of the keto flu, which are mainly brought on by electrolyte imbalance.
While we're not a fan of proprietary blends, the 800 mg total will give you a decent amount of each mineral, whichever way you divide it.
Overall Verdict: PASS
Pros
- Exogenous BHBs
- Contains magnesium, calcium, and sodium
- Helps offset symptoms of keto flu
Cons
- Proprietary Blend
Keto Charge Ingredients
The engine that powers Keto Charge is its proprietary blend of three minerals that have each been bonded to beta-hydroxybutyrate ketones.
Here at SET FOR SET, we immediately see a red flag when we notice a proprietary blend. While we would have much preferred to have seen individual dosages listed on the Keto Charge label, we're pretty confident you will get adequate doses of all three, whichever way you split the 800 mg total. As a result, we'll give Keto Charge weight loss pills a tentative pass on the proprietary labeling.
Here's a breakdown of each ingredient that makes up the blend.
1) Proprietary Blend - 800mg
Exogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) ketones are ketone bodies that are ingested externally, generally in the form of dietary supplements. In contrast to endogenous ketones, which the liver normally produces during times of low carbohydrate intake, fasting, or prolonged exercise, these supplements offer BHB ketones that are manufactured externally and subsequently consumed.
BHB supplements aim to imitate the ketosis that develops following a ketogenic diet by raising the blood's concentration of ketones. In Keto Charge, BHB ketone has been bonded to magnesium, calcium, and sodium minerals in a proprietary blend.
BHB ketones are more bioavailable when minerals are linked to them. Sodium, calcium, and magnesium are vital to maintaining electrolyte balance. An electrolyte loss due to increased urine may occur when people adopt a ketogenic diet. Mineral-bound BHB ketones can restore these electrolytes, lowering the possibility of imbalances and accompanying symptoms like cramps.
Electrolyte imbalances may contribute to keto flu, with symptoms such as fatigue, muscle cramps, and headaches. BHB ketones that are bound to minerals help lessen these symptoms.
Sodium plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure. Sodium ketone salts can benefit those with hypertension or those at risk. Including sodium-bound BHB ketones in their diets may help maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
Mineral-bound BHB ketones act as an immediate energy source during workouts. Combining ketones with vital minerals can increase endurance and lessen exhaustion brought on by exercise.
BHB ketone salts may taste less bitter than free BHB ketones, making them more tolerable for users.
A 2021 study examined the safety of exogenous BHB ketones. In the study, 22 healthy young men and women took either 3.75 grams of BHB salts or a maltodextrin placebo twice daily for 90 days. Extensive testing both during and after the study showed no detrimental effects on BHB supplementation (1).
Another study, conducted in 2016 focused on the effectiveness of BHB supplementation in helping a person get into ketosis. In this study, exogenous BHB ketones were administered for 28 days. The researchers reported that this caused a rapid increase in ketones and a reduction in glucose (2).
Let's now focus on the benefits of adding the three minerals that are bonded to BHB to your keto diet program:
2) Magnesium
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Electrolyte Balance: The keto diet can increase magnesium loss through the urine, causing muscle cramps and spasms.
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Energy Metabolism: Magnesium plays a part in energy metabolism, which involves turning food into energy. It facilitates the activation of enzymes necessary for generating energy.
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Heart Health: Healthy magnesium intake is linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
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Bone Health: Magnesium helps keep your bones strong and healthy.
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Constipation Relief: Constipation is a side effect of the keto diet. Magnesium supplements may help with this issue because they have a modest laxative impact.
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Cognitive Enhancement: Magnesium facilitates the healthy operation of the neurological system. It helps to reduce stress and can improve sleep.
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Insulin Sensitivity: Magnesium improves insulin sensitivity, helping to control blood glucose levels.
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Alleviates Keto Flu Symptoms: Magnesium supplementation helps offset keto flu effects such as muscle cramps, fatigue, and irritability.
For more on magnesium, read the 7 Best Magnesium Supplements (In 2023).
3) Calcium
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Healthy Bones And Teeth: You may cut back on dairy on the keto diet. Less dairy may reduce calcium intake, negatively affecting bone and teeth health.
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Reducing Osteoporosis Risk: The lowered intake of dairy can increase the risk of osteoporosis. Supplemental calcium can reduce this risk.
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Heart Health: Calcium is crucial for maintaining a healthy cardiac rhythm and proper muscle contraction. Getting enough calcium may improve cardiovascular health in general.
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Blood Pressure Control: Lower blood pressure is linked to adequate calcium levels.
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Nerve System Function: Calcium is essential for sending nerve signals throughout the body and sustaining healthy nervous system function.
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Reducing The Risk Of Tetany: Tetany, which results in cramps and muscle spasms, can be brought on by a calcium deficit. Calcium supplements can help in preventing these symptoms.
4) Sodium
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Electrolyte Balance: The keto diet may increase salt excretion through urine, so supplementing with sodium will help rebalance your levels.
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Preventing Hyponatremia: Hyponatremia is a condition marked by low blood sodium levels. This can result from keto, as carb reduction can lead to decreased insulin levels, causing the kidneys to expel more sodium. Sodium supplementation can offset this effect.
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Reduced Keto Flu Symptoms: Sodium supplementation may help alleviate the muscle cramps. Headaches and exhaustion are symptomatic of the keto flu.
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Supporting Athletic Performance: Sodium supplements may be necessary for athletes and those on a ketogenic diet who are doing intense activity to maintain adequate fluid balance, avoid dehydration, and avoid cramping.
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Blood Pressure Control: Maintaining good blood pressure levels requires an adequate sodium intake, especially when eating a low-carbohydrate diet.
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Enhancing Endurance: Sodium aids in the maintenance of hydration and electrolyte balance, which can increase endurance during physical activity like endurance sports and protracted workouts.
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Preventing Lightheadedness and Dizziness: Because sodium levels quickly shift after starting a ketogenic diet, some people feel dizziness or lightheadedness. Supplemental sodium can lessen these effects.
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Appetite Control: Getting enough salt may help curb hunger by promoting the production of hormones like aldosterone and renin, which affect thirst and fluid balance.
Keto Charge Claimed Benefits
When you scroll through the Keto Charge website, you will find the following claimed benefits highlighted:
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Avoids The Keto Flu: The dreaded "keto flu," a typical set of symptoms encountered during the early stages of shifting into ketosis, may be avoided with the special blend of magnesium, calcium, and sodium beta-hydroxybutyrate. It does this by balancing electrolytes that are typically reduced on keto.
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May Help Get You Into Ketosis Quicker: Keto Charge introduces exogenous ketones to the body. Their bioavailability is enhanced by being bound to minerals. Exogenous ketones increase blood ketone levels, helping you get into ketosis faster.
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Improved Energy: BHBs provide an alternative source of energy for the body and the brain. This boosts energy levels, allowing for enhanced physical and mental performance.
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Diminished Cravings: BHB ketones help control the appetite by providing a glucose-free energy source, reducing cravings so you can stay on track with your diet.
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Support Brain Health : Blood-brain barrier crossing is known to occur with BHB, which gives the brain an easy source of energy. This may result in better cognitive function, concentration, and mental clarity. Additionally, it might lessen brain fog, a typical issue in the early stage.
Keto Charge Side Effects
When prescribed, magnesium, calcium, and sodium beta-hydroxybutyrate keto supplements like Keto Charge diet pills are considered safe. However, they may cause adverse side effects in some people. These may include:
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Digestive Problems: Some people may experience stomach pain, gas, bloating, or diarrhea. This is frequently relieved by lowering the dosage or taking the supplement with food.
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Dehydration: Some keto supplements can have a diuretic effect as they lead to more frequent urination.
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Keto Breath: This is the name given to the acetone-like odor brought on by the rise in the production of ketones.
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Nausea: While relatively infrequent, some people may experience nausea or vomiting after using BHB supplements.
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Insomnia Or Sleep Disturbances: In some situations, the extra energy that BHB ketones provide can interfere with sleep cycles, resulting in insomnia or sleep disruptions.
As Keto Charge is designed to get you into a state of ketosis, it's important to make mention of the keto flu, a common side effect of that state. When you start the keto diet, you are making a huge and fundamental change in how your body works. You'll be switching your entire energy system from a glucose-based to a ketone-based energy system.
Carbohydrates are addictive. Pulling away from them is hard work. One of the most common bodily reactions to this transition is called the keto flu.
The symptoms of keto flu are:
- Fatigue
- Sugar cravings
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Dizziness
- Lack of mental clarity
It's called the keto flu because it mimics the effects of the actual flu. It is certainly not a pleasant experience. However, the keto flu is a temporary experience. How long people stay in the keto flu state varies, but for most people, it will be gone after a couple of weeks.
Real Keto Charge Customer Reviews
There are not a lot of places to find Keto Charge customer reviews online. There are no threads on Reddit relating to this product, and it does not appear on Trust Pilot.
There are verified customer reviews on Amazon and, of course, on the official website. Most of these reviews are positive, with people experiencing enhanced keto benefits when taking these keto weight loss pills.
Here are three typical comments from verified purchasers of Keto Charge:
"Simplest keto product I have found! Most keto supplements I have found meant having to mix powders and drink shakes, but this one is an easy-to-swallow capsule, much easier to swallow."
- Johnny
"Helps me to stick to keto! I've tried keto so many times but never got past the first 10 days because of cravings for candy. KetoCharge has improved the experience SO much, and I've been on keto for nine weeks now."
- Rick
"Best energy ever! I've been on keto for 12 months and lost over 100 pounds, but I felt crappy and tired all the time. KetoCharge gave me a huge boost, and now I can continue the low-carb lifestyle."
- Josephine (source)
What Is Ketosis?
Ketosis is a metabolic state characterozed by elevated levels of ketone bodies in the blood. This occurs when the body burns fat for energy rather than glucose.
The three macronutrients are proteins, carbohydrates, and fats; all foods are made up of them in different ratios. The most frequently used energy source for the human body is carbohydrates, including sugars and starches. When consumed, carbs are transformed into a simple sugar called glucose that travels to the body's cells through the bloodstream. This glucose is the body's primary energy source.
When the body does not have enough glucose, such as when we fast or follow a low-carb diet, our bodies switch from carbs to fat as an energy source. This change in metabolic preference is the basis for ketosis. Without glucose, the body breaks down stored fats to use as energy. This occurs in the liver, resulting in the production of organic compounds known as ketones.
There are three types of ketones produced from fats in the liver:
- Acetoacetate: This type of ketone can be utilized directly for energy or transformed into various kinds of ketones.
- Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB): the most common ketone, created when acetoacetate is broken down. It is an efficient alternative energy source.
- Acetone: This volatile ketone is produced in relatively modest amounts. It is normally eliminated in the urine and breath, and this substance gives certain people in ketosis the distinctively "acetone" or "fruity" breath smell.
During times of low blood glucose, BHB, in particular, is essential for giving the brain energy. That's because it has the ability to pass across the blood-brain barrier and act as the main fuel supply for brain cells, promoting improved cognitive performance.
Ketones also help preserve muscle during times of low glucose. As the body prioritizes fat metabolism over protein catabolism during such times, ketones help protect muscle tissue from degradation.
The keto diet is based on a strategy to force the body into a state of ketosis to receive its benefits. It involves strictly cutting back on your consumption of carbohydrates while also increasing dietary fat intake. A typical macronutrient ratio on the keto diet is as follows:
- 70-80% fat
- 20-25% protein
- 5-10% carbohydrate
The very low level of carbs depletes glycogen (stored carbohydrates) levels. This causes the body to turn to stored body fat as an alternative energy source. Consequently, the liver starts to break down fats into ketones for energy use. As these ketones build up in the bloodstream, they can be metabolized as a fuel source for the body and the brain.
What Are The Benefits Of Ketosis?
Getting into ketosis is desirable for many people due to the following benefits:
1) Fat Loss
Ketosis is a fantastic method of losing weight. In fact, ketone production is a by-product of the fat-burning process. The energy you produce in ketosis comes from both the fat stored in your body and the fat consumed in your diet. Compare this to a high-carb diet that drives fat storage!
When you go on the ketogenic diet, you are going to lose weight in the form of body fat. This will occur as a result of your depriving the body of carbohydrates. Without the glucose from carbs, the body will have to burn stored body fat to provide the fuel to supply the energy you need to function. That means you will lose body fat, not just when you exercise, but 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
2) More Efficient Kidneys
When you follow a conventional high-carb eating pattern, the sodium you put into your body gets held onto by the body, putting pressure on the kidneys. You won't be able to urinate as frequently as you need to. Your body will also hang onto waste products rather than eliminate them.
But when you begin to follow a keto diet, suddenly, your kidneys will begin to work more efficiently. The stored-up toxins that are clogging up your body will be removed, and this, in itself, will cause you to lose weight.
3) Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
People who have type 2 diabetes have reduced insulin sensitivity (insulin resistance). As a result, their cells will only absorb the carbohydrates that insulin commands them to absorb. This happens because people overeat simple, sugar-filled carbs for too long. As a result, the cells do not react normally to insulin.
When you go keto, you cut out sugar. Instead, your bloodstream gets filled with ketones. These are different, better, and more efficient forms of energy, which may also increase your insulin sensitivity.
By enhancing insulin sensitivity and reversing insulin resistance, the keto diet can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. In fact, carbohydrate restriction (as in the keto diet) has even been shown to reverse type 2 diabetes (3).
4) Cancer Treatment
The keto diet gives cancer researchers a lot of hope. We know that cancerous cells feed off sugar. So, when you starve the body of sugar, you also deprive your body's cancer cells of an energy source. The consequence is that the cancer cells may die, lowering the cancer risk.
5) Combatting Neurological Diseases
The keto diet has proven to provide some pretty impressive cognitive benefits. Studies suggest that it can effectively combat such neurological diseases as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Alzheimer's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Dementia
One of the key reasons that the keto diet is so good is because it helps reduce oxidative stress. When you produce more ketones and less glucose, your body experiences less oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is bad for our brain health and produces inflammation. The keto diet is also believed to cause the mitochondria within the cells to work more effectively—the lowered levels of sugar help to rebalance mitochondrial activity.
6) Appetite Suppression
When on the keto diet, you will feel less hungry throughout the day. High glycemic level carbs filled with sugar do not fill you up. In contrast, both protein and fats have both been shown to have a high satiety effect. The bottom line is that you will eat fewer calories when you go keto!
7) Losing Visceral Body Fat
When you go keto, you'll lose body fat from all over your body. That includes losing visceral body fat. Visceral fat is the fat that surrounds your bodily organs. This makes it difficult for those organs to function properly.
Visceral fat releases signals that will cause major problems with your digestive and metabolic systems. This inflammatory type of fat releases abnormal signals into the bloodstream that will only make you less healthy.
When visceral body fat surrounds your muscles and liver, they will respond less efficiently to insulin. This causes the pancreas to release more insulin in order to get the blood glucose into the cells. However, this overdose of glucose and insulin only causes more visceral body fat to build up around the organs.
When you switch to the keto diet, you will not have to worry about the buildup of visceral body fat. In fact, you will steadily get rid of the visceral fat already accumulated around your organs.
8) Reduces Triglycerides
One of the many consequences of eating a high-sugar, high-carb diet is that your triglyceride levels will shoot up. This is bad news for your cardiovascular health. Many of the triglycerides people consume result from ingesting high fructose corn syrup. When you follow a keto diet, however, you won't be consuming any high fructose corn syrup, and your triglyceride levels will go way down.
9) Increases Good Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol in your body: HDL and LDL. HDL, or high-density lipoproteins, are good for you, whereas too many particles of LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, may promote plaque buildup in the arteries.
Both types of cholesterol act like mini Ubers, moving the cholesterol around your body. But, while LDL cholesterol takes the cholesterol to your organs, HDL transports it away from them and delivers it to your liver, where it is either converted into energy or excreted.
The best way to get more HDL cholesterol into your body is to eat a high-fat diet, which is precisely what the keto diet advocates.
10) Fights Metabolic Syndrome
The keto diet fights metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a collective term for the following symptoms:
- Abdominal obesity
- Elevated blood pressure
- Elevated blood sugar levels
- Elevated triglycerides
- Low HDL
When you go keto, you will find improvement in all of these areas.
11) Provides More Energy
The ketogenic diet provides a far more abundant and efficient energy source. You will thus be able to overcome fatigue, have more clarity, and feel more alive. You'll also be more energized for your workouts. When you adopt a keto lifestyle, you will even sleep more soundly!
Is Keto Good For Weight Loss?
Yes, keto is an effective form of weight loss. The body enters a state of ketosis when it uses stored fat as energy reserves, which quickly starts the initial weight reduction process. Initially, there may be a discernible decrease in water weight due to this change in energy source. Then, the body's fat stores will be depleted as more of it is used as an energy source. When you're in a state of ketosis, your appetite will also be lower, so you eat fewer calories overall.
Being in ketosis also helps stabilize blood sugar levels and increases insulin sensitivity. This enhanced blood sugar regulation provides a more even energy level.
Final Thoughts
Keto Charge is an effective keto supplement that will get you into ketosis faster and help with the effects of keto flu. These keto diet pills blend BHB-bound minerals to help you produce more energy. While it's not an essential keto diet requirement, it can make the process more palatable.
So, if your budget allows for the $60 monthly investment, Keto Charge will prove to be a boon to your keto diet efforts. If you don't, you'll still get results, but they'll come with a bit more discomfort and take a little longer.
For more on supplements for ketosis, read our article on the 9 Best Keto Pills To Help Kickstart Ketosis.
References
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Stefan M, Sharp M, Gheith R, Lowery R, Wilson J. The Effect of Exogenous Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Salt Supplementation on Metrics of Safety and Health in Adolescents. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 5;13(3):854. doi: 10.3390/nu13030854. PMID: 33807731; PMCID: PMC8000900.
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Kesl SL, Poff AM, Ward NP, Fiorelli TN, Ari C, Van Putten AJ, Sherwood JW, Arnold P, D'Agostino DP. Effects of exogenous ketone supplementation on blood ketone, glucose, triglyceride, and lipoprotein levels in Sprague-Dawley rats. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2016 Feb 4;13:9. doi: 10.1186/s12986-016-0069-y. PMID: 26855664; PMCID: PMC4743170.
- Athinarayanan, Shaminie J., et al. “Long-Term Effects of a Novel Continuous Remote Care Intervention Including Nutritional Ketosis for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A 2-Year Non-Randomized Clinical Trial.” Frontiers in Endocrinology, vol. 10, 5 June 2019, https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2019.00348.
Steve Theunissen
Author