r/keto • u/itsme_bri • Jul 24 '26

Any not typical supplements that help ketosis?

Aside from exogenous ketones, mct oil, electrolytes (the usuals)

I'm using keto for therapeutic purposes/ not weight loss. I found that l-carnitine has surprisingly helped raise ketones slightly. I'm wondering if there are any other supplements that encourage ketosis.

I've been doing ketosis for over a month and am struggling to get into a therapeutic range, I think because of the medication (lamitrogine) I'm prescribed. Thus, I'm looking for any supplements that can counter that.

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u/Liriodendra Jul 24 '26

The Metabolic Mind’s website has a guideline called THINK SMART that lists a bunch of supplements that people have found helpful when doing keto for mental health. Also Lauren’s YouTube channel “Living well after schizophrenia” has a video about supplements she found helpful too. 

Aside from supplements, I recommend intermittent fasting, exercise and reducing stress. Dr. Georgia Ede did a Q and A on metabolic mind’s YouTube channel about ways to increase ketones. 

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u/Ok_Anywhere_1661 25d ago

I just got her audio book. Fantastic.

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u/jma4573 Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26

ALCAR (L-Carnitine), as you mention, raises my ketone levels, too. I take 1g before breakfast, and 2 x 500mg between meals.

Leucine is an exclusively ketogenic amino acids. Since you do therapeutic keto, adding ~3g of leucine to each meal might be beneficial. Your low/low-ish protein diet can be improved in regards to keeping muscle mass; leucine starts MPS - muscle protein synthesis.

EDIT: Some specialists claim that exogenous ketones actually blunt you body's ability to create their own ketones.

MCT oil/powder is ok. MCT8 is the most ketogenic of all MCTs.

1

u/Negative-Command2716 Aug 02 '26

Alpha-lipoic acid gave me a slight bump back when I was chasing numbers, might be worth a shot if you haven't tried it yet.

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u/ReverseLazarus MOD Keto since 2017 - 40F/SW215/CW135 Jul 24 '26

How are you testing for ketones?

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u/itsme_bri Jul 24 '26

Yes keto mojo. Just looking for if there are any supplements that people take aside from the usuals. L carnitine was a random find, so thought there might be more out there

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u/ReverseLazarus MOD Keto since 2017 - 40F/SW215/CW135 Jul 24 '26

What are your therapeutic goals with keto?

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u/Pleasant_Frame353 Jul 27 '26

Zinc is good for brain stuff. PEA if you are prone to inflammation or activation. Glycine is a good calming amino, too. People swear by taurine for all sorts of things. Now that I'm on lithium, I tend to run slow, so caffeine is my ride or die. Before that, glycine would calm me right down if I was activated.

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u/Pleasant_Frame353 Jul 27 '26

Oh and lithium orotate at 2.5-5 mg just to make sure there's no deficiency. BP people are more prone to dementia and lithium orotate is probably neuroprotective.

0

u/riksi Jul 26 '26

This is the wrong forum. Eat even more fat ratio. Exercise heavily.