I Am Sick and Tired Of Deception And Lies
As so many of us, I opened up my computer and got tempted to click on a Google link. This one stated: a student prodigy from New Zealand received a medical award for discovering a method that helps you lose a few kilograms in several days without chemicals or physical exertion.
Okay, I’m a sucker and seeing New Zealand and medical award I was intrigued. The page opened, showing seemingly a picture from a medical conference and subsequently the picture of a young woman speaking in front of a screen. The story went on to describe a 10 minute standing applause after the lecture of this young lady which was the very first thing that made me suspicious. I can’t tell you how many conferences I’ve attended. I have never ever in my life heard any applause that was longer than 5 to 10 seconds. Something was off. Quickly the extensive article had more and more other hall marks of pure BS advertisement and sure enough, I was bombarded with the suggestion to buy essential Keto BHB gummies.
The article showed five different success stories, i.e. before and after pictures demonstrating massive weight loss in both males and females. Luckily, nowadays you can check out pictures with a reverse google image search and of course, all of these before and after stories were appearing on a multitude of other websites often dating back many years and weight loss being attributed to anything from fasting to various diets or supplements. At the bottom of this advertorial was a screenshot of various questions that seemingly were emailed and texted to a Prof John Davis. Needless to say, I could not find such a person connected to weight loss research in real life. The more I looked into the article, the more I found it to contain deception, lies and fake scientific research. But maybe I should not be surprised. 50% of the American population are obese or morbidly obese and the same trend over the years can be seen in most of the western world. This epidemic is linked to an increase in cancer rates, diabetes and mental decline. The reasons for this epidemic are multifactorial and it is incredibly unlikely that one single intervention, one single drug, or one single natural compound will magically change the situation.
The facts about ketone gummies
As of now, there is limited direct scientific evidence specifically linking keto gummies to weight loss. The potential benefits of keto gummies primarily rely on the ingredients they commonly contain, such as exogenous ketones (like BHB) and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), both of which have some research supporting their role in ketosis and potential weight loss. However, while these ingredients may theoretically support a ketogenic diet, there is no established research indicating that keto gummies themselves produce significant weight loss outcomes.
Here’s a look at what the evidence says about the individual components commonly found in keto gummies:
1. Exogenous Ketones (Beta-Hydroxybutyrate, or BHB)
- Metabolic Support: Exogenous ketones like BHB are designed to raise ketone levels in the blood, helping users achieve a state of ketosis. Some studies suggest exogenous ketones can increase blood ketone levels, which may help with energy levels during a low-carb diet, potentially aiding adherence to a ketogenic diet and promoting fat oxidation.
- Appetite Suppression: A study published in Obesity found that exogenous ketones may suppress appetite in the short term. Participants consuming BHB salts reported decreased hunger compared to controls. This effect could help reduce calorie intake, a key factor in weight loss, though the impact on long-term weight management remains unclearHowever, while BHB might assist with short-term appetite suppression, the effect on overall weight loss is still inconclusive, as it has not been thoroughly studied over the long term.
2. Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)
- Increased Fat Oxidation: MCTs have been shown to boost fat oxidation, which may help with weight management when included as part of a low-carb, high-fat diet like keto. A review published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that MCTs could increase energy expenditure and promote fat loss compared to long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), especially in people adhering to a ketogenic diet .
- ** MCTs are metabolized quickly and can help provide a quick source of energy, which may help control hunger and reduce overall calorie intake. Studies have indicated that MCTs might lead to greater satiety than LCTs, which could potentially support weight loss indirectly by reducing calorie intake .
Despite these benefits, the effect of MCTs on weight loss varies by individual, and long-term studies are still needed.
3. Effectiveness of the Ketogenic Diet Itself
- While there is a body of research supporting ketogenic diets for weight loss, keto gummies alone are unlikely to have the same effect unless they are part of a comprehensive low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that induces and sustains ketosis.
- Research shows that ketogenic diets can lead to weight loss, often due to calorie restriction, ketosis, and appetite reduction. A meta-analysis published in The British Journal of Nutrition found that very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets may produce more weight loss than low-fat diets over 3–6 months. However, this effect was primarily attributed to the overall ketogenic diet, not specific supplements like keto gummies .
Whilst there is some evidence suggesting that components of keto gummies, like BHB and MCTs, may support aspects of ketosis and appetite control, there is currently no direct research showing that keto gummies alone lead to weight loss. The gummies may provide a minor supportive role within a broader ketogenic diet, but they are not likely to be effective as a standalone weight-loss solution.
Don’t waste your money!
References:
- Stubbs, B. J., et al. (2018). “Exogenous ketone drinks reduce appetite and hunger.” Obesity.
- St-Onge, M. P., et al. (2008). “Medium-chain triglycerides increase energy expenditure and decrease adiposity.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
- Van Wymelbeke, V., et al. (2001). “Influence of medium-chain and long-chain triacylglycerols on the control of food intake in men.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
- Bueno, N. B., et al. (2013). “Very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet v. low-fat diet for long-term weight loss: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.” British Journal of Nutrition.
