Best Nootropics for the Ketogenic Diet [Achieve Top Performance]
* Verified by a US-based board-certified doctor.
The ketogenic diet is all about entering into a state of ketosis. But what is ketosis? What are the benefits? And how nootropics can complement the ketogenic diet.
Ketosis refers to a metabolic state where the body is depleted of glucose, so it burns fat for energy instead. This process causes an elevation in ketones to build in the body, which facilitates the body's change in fuel. Also, ketones are a more efficient fuel for the brain.
The Keto Diet
While some view the ketogenic diet as the newest fad diet on the scene, it isn't new at all. Since the 1920's this way of eating has been studied and shown to be effective in treating a variety of diseases and disorders, like Alzheimer’s Disease and Epilepsy. It has gained more recent and mainstream popularity because of its success as a weight-loss tool.
There are a few variations of keto, but the keto dieter primarily eats a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. Precisely, a keto diet consists of 70% of calories eaten derived from fats, 20% of calories eaten derived from proteins, and 10% of calories eaten derived from carbohydrates.
This way of eating produces something similar to a fasting effect on the body and changes how the body energizes itself. Here's why.
Related: Nootropics: What Are They And Where Do They Come From?
How Keto Works
Keto works well because of the science behind it. Glucose is produced when we eat carbohydrates. So when we so drastically reduce the number of carbohydrates we eat, glucose is no longer present in our systems. Our body begins to look for another source of energy. Eventually, it runs on ketones for fuel. The ketones are produced in the liver by using the stored fat on the body. Hence, your body becomes a fat-burning machine! And as already mentioned, ketones are great for the body but excellent for the brain.
Variations of the Ketogenic Diet
Any version of the keto diet will reduce carbohydrates and increase fats in the diet, but some of the ratios may be different. So if you think this way of eating may be useful for you, but you're unsure how it will fit your lifestyle, consider a variation. Following are the two most popular.
Classic Keto
This is the version we have already outlined above. It's the strictest version of the diet and means you will have to eat in an approximate ratio of 4 to 1 of fat to protein and carbs. For every one part of protein and carbs you eat, you should also eat four parts healthy fats. This is the fastest way into ketosis.
Carb Cycling
Carb cycling means being on strict low-carb for a pre-determined number of days per week and being high or moderate-carb on the other days of the week. You may use this method of eating to overcome weight-loss plateaus. You can alter it for daily, weekly, or monthly diet needs.
Ketosis and Cognition
The ketogenic state has neuroprotective effects, say some researchers. Ketosis stimulates the creation of mitochondria in the brain and reduces oxidative stress and free radicals. Ketones will help with memory improvement and even speed up mental processes like creativity, productivity, and memory.
If you're interested in keto, you should note that while these are the eventual benefits of ketosis, initially, you might feel differently. The changing of fuel sources in the body is not an easy process, and the effect may give flu-like symptoms, fatigue, brain fog, and low mood.
Once the body has acclimated to the new fuel source, you will see many benefits. With weight loss and improved health, there are cognitive benefits to the ketogenic diet as well. So why add nootropics? In addition to enhancing the cognitive benefits of keto, nootropics will provide a variety of other benefits as well.
Related: These Foods Will Give Your Brain More Power
Are you ready to take your brain health to the next level, with increased focus and energy? Try Magic Mind today!
Nootropics
Nootropics are supplements that improve mental function, generally in regards to memory, learning, and focus. They can be pharmaceuticals, supplements, herbs, or microdoses of scheduled drugs.
A perfect nootropic stack provides cognitive enhancement without stimulatory or sedative effects.
Best Nootropics for the Ketogenic Diet
1. L-theanine
L-theanine is a naturally occurring anxiolytic amino acid found in tea leaves. L-theanine and caffeine exist concurrently in the Camellia Sinensis plant.
L-theanine is taken alone or combined with a caffeine source such as Kimera Coffee.
SUMMARY: L-theanine is taken alone or combined with a caffeine source such as Kimera Coffee.2. Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Oil
This oil has fatty acids that help induce a Ketogenic metabolic state and help optimize metabolism.
These fatty acids boost focus by providing the brain with more readily available energy.
SUMMARY: MCT Oil is a great supplement to help optimize metabolism.3. L-carnitine
L-carnitine is an amino acid involved in metabolism for most mammals and found in beef, chicken, pork, and fish.
L-carnitine facilitates the breaking down of fats into energy by the body and improves both physical and mental endurance.
SUMMARY: L-carnitine facilitates the breaking down of fats into energy.
4. Gingko Biloba
Gingko Biloba is an essential ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is often used to improve cognitive function. It’s available in Kimera Coffee.
SUMMARY: Gingko Biloba is often used to improve cognitive function.
5. Alpha GPD (Choline Alfoscerate)
Alpha GPD is a natural choline donor and precursor needed for the production of acetylcholine.
This nootropic is useful in OTC pharmaceutical products for the treatment of cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s disease.
It is available in Kimera Coffee, a prepackaged blend of coffee grounds with implanted nootropics.
SUMMARY: Alpha GPD nootropic is useful in OTC pharmaceutical products for the treatment of cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane is a mushroom known for its ability to reduce cognitive decline and soothe anxiety. It’s available in Four Sigmatic’s Mushroom Coffee and Lion’s Mane Elixir.
SUMMARY: Lion’s Mane is a mushroom known for its ability to reduce cognitive decline and soothe anxiety.
7. Exogenous Ketones
These are a relatively new nootropic supplement designed to give the body those bite-sized fat molecules called ketones without being in the ketogenic metabolic state.
Exogenous ketones suppress appetite and stimulate ketosis rapidly.
It enhances cognition, and athletic performance and they are sold mostly as ketone salts in KetoCaNa and KetoForce.
SUMMARY: Exogenous ketones suppress appetite and stimulate ketosis rapidly.
8. Caffeine
The most popular nootropic on this list.
Caffeine is the most universally available nootropic and the most consumed stimulant. It is readily available in Kimera Coffee (or any caffeinated drink for that matter).
SUMMARY: Caffeine is the most universally available nootropic and the most consumed stimulant.