Keto is Better with Algae

November 01 2019, by Catharine Arnston, 9 min reading time

What You’ll Learn

Algae helps provide chlorophyll, vitamins and minerals that most keto diets are lacking
Taking algae reduces hunger, fatigue and keto flu symptoms while staying in ketosis
Algae is perfect for intermittent fasting – keeps you in ketosis and eases you into ketosis
Chlorella algae is high in Vitamin K2, which helps prevent many chronic diseases and aging

I’m sure most of you have heard of a ketogenic diet by now- it’s a hot buzzword in the fitness and health communities, but despite the recent hype, a ketogenic diet is not a new phenomenon. In medicine, it’s been around for 100 years to treat drug-resistant epilepsy, especially in children <1>. In the 1970’s, Dr. Atkins popularized the low-carbohydrate diet for weight loss. Since then, the ketogenic diet has become widely known as one of the most common methods for obesity and rapid weight loss. The ketogenic lifestyle that we will be discussing today has come a long way from a double quarter pounder cheeseburger (hold the bun) with bacon, so stay tuned…

Research over the last decade or so has provided evidence of the therapeutic potential of ketogenic diets in many pathological conditions, such as diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, acne, neurological diseases (such as Parkinson’s, stroke, seizures, brain tumors, Alzheimer’s), cancer and the development of respiratory and cardiovascular disease risk factors <2>.
The Charlie Foundation for Ketogenic Therapies was founded in 1994 to provide information about ketogenic diet therapies for people with epilepsy, other neurological disorders and select cancers.

There are an increasing number of leading scientific researchers like Dr. Dominic D’Agostino and metabolic health gurus like Dr. Ryan Lowery who are doing exciting research about keto diets and how they can be safely used to reduce inflammation and chronic disease. We are proud that many of them are adding algae to their keto protocols since it improves patient outcomes and speeds healing.

No one should consider the ketogenic diet a cure for any disease or disorder on its own. Nonetheless, a plant-based ketogenic diet with algae has great potential to improve overall health and wellness, reads on to learn why!!!

Ketogenic Diet A Quick Review…

First, let’s quickly review what a ketogenic diet is (we will pause so you can take out your notepad and a pencil) … it involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. This reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis <3>. 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 <4>. Many of these fatty acids are transferred to the liver, where they are oxidized and turned into ketones (or ketone bodies) <3>. These molecules can provide energy for the body and especially the brain. Unlike fatty acids, ketones can cross the blood-brain barrier and provide energy for the brain in the absence of glucose.

Choose more plant-based keto foods. — Choose more plant-based keto foods

The most reliable and accurate method of measuring ketosis is to measure your blood ketone levels. We highly recommend using KetoMojo ketone strips, the gold standard for measuring blood ketone levels. They provide an FDA approved method that is extremely accurate, affordable and easy to use.

The ketogenic diet typically reduces total carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams a day. To put it in perspective, that’s less than the amount found in a single bagel! Generally, popular ketogenic resources suggest an average of 70-80% fat from total daily calories, 5-10% carbohydrate, and 10-20% protein <5>. For a 2000-calorie diet, this translates to about 165 grams fat, 40 grams carbohydrate, and 75 grams protein. Ok, you got all that written down??

Choose a Plant-Based Keto Diet

Now let’s talk about the quality of foods for a keto diet and why some are better than others. You won’t need a pen and paper for this one, it’s quite simple; a plant-based keto diet is much better with algae. Plant-based diets focus on foods primarily from plants- it doesn’t mean that you are vegetarian or vegan and never eat meat or dairy. Rather, you are choosing more of your foods from plant sources. Plant-based diets have been shown to support health, including a lower risk of developing coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and increased longevity <6>.

It’s important to understand that keto diets alone do not contain enough chlorophyll or Vitamin K2. A deficit of either one can put your liver, long term health and longevity at risk. Plant-based and vegetarian diets can also lack important vitamins such as vitamin B12, iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids <7>.

Keto Spelled Out with Bits — Keto can be easy with Algae!

Why Keto Diets are Better with Algae

CHLOROPHYLL is a blood and liver cleanser, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying pigment that penetrates and heals the cell walls, oxygenates the blood, absorbs carcinogens, heals the liver and provides mitochondria with a fuel source that is cleaner than glucose <8>. Chlorophyll is an essential nutrient for long term health, yet most people are deficit, especially those on a keto diet. Chlorella algae has the highest concentration of chlorophyll in the world (200 x more than spinach).
PROTEIN and iron in algae is plant-based so it does not stimulate the mTOR pathway (like animal protein) or gluconeogenesis. The mTOR Pathway can cause uncontrolled growth of cancer cells <9>. Spirulina has a high amount of bioavailable protein (60% in fact, which is 3 x more than steak).
Vitamin K2 has been found to prevent and reverse heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and even skin aging <10>. Yet virtually everyone in the western world is deficit of Vitamin K2, especially those following a Keto diet. This is because Vitamin K2 is only found in grass-fed protein or dairy OR algae. A serving of chlorella algae will meet your daily Vitamin K2 needs.
Vitamin B12 is important for maintaining appropriate brain functioning and blood flow throughout our bodies. Unfortunately, it is mainly found in animal products which is why someone following a vegetarian or plant-based keto diet may develop a deficiency <11>. A serving of spirulina or chlorella algae will provide you with your daily vitamin B12 needs.

In addition, algae also provides a great source of essential fatty acids (DHA, GLA, Omega-3), forty other vitamins and minerals, and high amounts of antioxidants. Algae is endorsed by NASA and United Nations as the most nutrient dense food in the world.

ENERGYbits® is a nationally recognized algae nutrition company based in Boston. Our physician-grade spirulina and chlorella tablets are sold by functional medicine doctors like Dr. Will Cole and keto scientists/thought leaders like Dr. Dominic D’Agostino. In fact, we thought you’d like to see the kind word they say about us below. We’re blushing.

“ENERGYbits and RECOVERYbits are the highest quality spirulina and chlorella and are one of my staple keto-friendly foods for peak energy and performance. I heavily relied on both ENERGYbits and RECOVERYbits as a crew member on the NASA NEEMO 22 mission.”
– Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, PhD Research Scientist, Institute for Human and Machine Cognition Assoc. Professor Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida

Algae Helps beat the Keto Flu

When your body is entering ketosis, it’s common to get the keto flu. The drastic reduction of carbohydrates can come as a shock to the body and may cause withdrawal-like symptoms, similar to those experienced when weaning off an addictive substance like caffeine. How crazy is that?! Some people may experience symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, muscle soreness and sugar cravings. <12>. Good news- you can combat the keto flu by adding sodium to your diet (in moderation), potassium-rich, keto-friendly foods (like algae), staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activities and eating enough healthy fats.

Did you know that ENERGYbits® algae tablets are plant-based keto friendly? They do not decrease ketones or increase glucose. They have ZERO carbs, sugars, caffeine, chemicals or gluten. They are also vegan, made of one ingredient and are non-GMO. When our algae is combined with a ketogenic diet, the results are powerful, holistic natural and lifechanging. So… what are you waiting for, order some today!

If you’re looking to learn more about ketogenic diets from the world’s top researchers and scientists, check out the Ketogenic Metabolic Health Summit January 30th in Long Beach, California.

Also, make sure to check out the recipe section of our blog for some fun ways to incorporate algae into your diet with recipes your whole family can enjoy!

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