Keto diet pills. Are they safe to take?

Hello @sailor1750. I'd like to invite a few other members who have tried or are still on the keto diet (for varying diagnoses and reasons). @bigjeff, @klro0001, @avmcbellar, @iceblue, and @binblessed have all been on or are trying the keto diet for different reasons and may be able to share some of their experiences with you.

"Ketosis is a metabolic process that occurs when the body begins to burn fat for energy because it does not have enough carbohydrates to burn. During this process, the liver produces chemicals called ketones. The ketogenic, or keto, diet aims to induce ketosis in order to burn more fat. Proponents of the diet claim that it boosts weight loss and improves overall health."

As with any diet, speaking with your provider or pharmacist is best, especially when thinking about taking supplements that could possibly interact poorly with any medications that you may or may not be taking.

@sailor1750, have you been on the modified keto diet for the entire year? Has the change in diet been difficult?

I will summarize my findings hopefully to assist others on similar journeys.
Background: Male, 77, underwent a double bypass open heart surgery, DM2 for 19 yrs
Since April 2018 I have been on modified keto diet (without measuring my carb and high fat daily intakes) and am quite happy with results. I lost 22 lbs and remain at my weght target. Also I removed high blood pressure, beta blocker, ace inhibitor and metformin prescription pills. I remain only with statin because of LDL above optimal, although my trigs were significantly reduced and HCL increased. My HgA1C three month values dropped to 5.7-5.9, from 7.3 in Jan 2018.

@gi17

First, congratulations on maintaining your weight. I understand the desire to lose even more. I like that you used the term “modified”. I am not on a keto
diet but I have eliminated a lot of carbs (especially white flour) from my daily diet now for several years, not for weight loss, but for a healthier approach to eating. I know people who have lost weight on this diet but it is not always easy to sustain. I have a friend who is on the dirty vs the clean keto diet and she has lost a few pounds of water and not much else. She really needs to cut back on calories and carbs.

I have never liked or trusted any weight loss pill. They are not backed by any scientific or medical proof and are not overseen by the FDA. Also, unnecessary supplements are added. I personally think it is a waste of money and may interfere with any any other medications you may be taking and or your metabolism. I don’t always trust that the contents match the labels.

You sound like you are on the right track....it’s a long road to lose weight but once you change your eating habits and lifestyle you’ll never go back to the old ways. You’ll feel and think better. Diet pills are not going to do that for you. What happens once you’re off them?

My opinion and my approach works for me.

FL Mary

Justin...Yes,I have been on the diet for just over 1 year...I worked my way into the diet starting in October of 2018...
The change of food pertaining to this diet has not been difficult at all.. Again ,my approach has been MODIFIED...

Cutting back on carbs was not a problem ,sweets also not a problem....Pasta once a week I could not do without!!

My body overall feels pretty loose and @ 81, very little stiffness ....My mobility has increased drastically...

I would like to get with a group to exchange Keto ideas ......Lou

Mary,thank you for your input....Lou

Thank you gi17 for your input....I will be doing my yearly physical this February,the blood tests should be interesting....Lou

I have been in nutritional ketosis to help manage my bone marrow cancer (which causes me to overproduce red blood cells and platelets.) When in full-on ketosis I can extend the time between phlebotomies from my regular 4-week interval to up to 16-weeks. (Because I overproduce blood, the treatment I receive is simply removing the excess blood which is a procedure called a phlebotomy.) I have never needed to take pills, I have managed ketosis simply by the food I take in. I would consult with your doctor, perhaps add in a bariatrician and nutritionist to the mix and find out what works best for you.

Thank you for your support, @imallears and others.

I agree with you about the weight loss pills and have not used them. Luckily I am at my target weight of 145 lbs at 5’9” height. My easy to take “modified keto” diet helps me Manage a DM2 reversal, as well as improve my lipid numbers. I would like to reduce my rosuvastatin dose of 40 mg, but wish to do it with my cardiologist’s blessing.

My best wishes to all of you who are undertaking journeys to improve your health and quality of life.

@gi17

Good for you...sounds like a good weight. Good gut equals good health.

FL Mary

I am a 73 year old female. I was put on a similar food plan. For me it’s a way of life. No sugar or sweet, no flour,no carbs, no complex carbs either, which includes potatoes. I’m doing this to not only stay alive, but have a better quality of life. It’s eating to live not living to eat. I have lost 60 lbs. so far, of which is fat not muscle. My numbers have gone down. My A1C went from 7.1 to 5.5 I no longer take metformin. My cholesterol was very high, but similar to yours is my experience also with the triglycerides and HDL. I’m able to walk a little a bit better. Feel better. Outlook on life is more positive. I had so many illnesses, some are gone some better. Their has been damage that may not be reversible, but all and all this healthy way of eating has been a life saver. Too much to put on here. I have A fib, heart problems, Lyme disease. Tumor on right adrenal gland, COPD needed oxygen, diabetes, high blood pressure., also stage 3 kidney disease. They said you can’t reverse kidney disease. I’m now stage 2. All has improved or gone. It’s been about a year or so. I feel great. Of course because of kidneys I couldn’t have 6 -8 oz. protein, I had 3 at each meal. I eat more healthy fat and 8-16 oz veggies or salad at each meal.