Does Keto Balance Have Drug Interactions?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses potential drug interactions with the dietary supplement Keto Balance.
I need a professional person who can tell me honestly if it is safe to take Keto balance while also taking a lot of prescriptions?
Apr 26, 2022- Keto Balance contains MCTs, collagen peptides, and algal DHA, with only the algal DHA having any documented drug interactions. The risk of serious drug interactions is very low, though you should check with your doctor before taking it if you use anticoagulants, blood pressure medications, or diabetes drugs since DHA may have blood-thinning effects or additive effects with these medications.
Hello and thanks for your question! I'm not 100% sure of the product you are referring to, but after a quick search, I found something with the same name: Keto Balance, so I'll use that as a reference.
If this isn't the product you are referring to, please let me know. Regardless, most keto supplements are pretty similar in that they contain a variety of different oils (a good source of fat), especially medium-chain triglycerides, a type of saturated fat.
Keto Balance Ingredients
According to the label for this dietary supplement, it contains the following:
- Coconut-Based MCTs
- Algal DHA
- Collagen Peptides
So, what we're really looking into here is whether or not any of these ingredients have known drug interactions.
Keto Balance Interactions
Two of the ingredients in Keto Balance have no known drug interactions, MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) and collagen peptides, so there isn't much to worry about there.
The only ingredient that has documented drug interactions is algal DHA, a plant-based omega fatty acid (similar to the fatty acids in fish oil).
In general, there is a very low risk of any significant drug interaction with algal DHA.
Nevertheless, the following drugs have some sort of documented interaction:
- Anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin)
- Antihypertensives (e.g. blood pressure medications)
- Antidiabetic drugs (i.e. drugs used for diabetes)
Some studies have shown, or suggested, that DHA can have a blood-thinning effect, but generally only at high doses or when used with other supplements, like EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid). However, if you are taking an anticoagulant, you want to check with your doctor first before taking anything that has DHA (or other omega oils) in it.
The other two drug classes I have listed there, antihypertensives and antidiabetic agents, I only list since supplementing with fatty acids with DHA can lower blood pressure and lower blood glucose. There isn't necessarily an interaction with the medications, but it is important to point out that omega oils can have an additive effect.
Final Words
On the whole, this keto supplement is pretty safe in regard to drug interactions. The only ingredient that really stands out is DHA, and that has a very low risk of causing anything serious.
Let us know if you have any other questions!
References & sources
- The effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid on platelet function, platelet fatty acid composition, and blood coagulation in humans — PubMed
- Effects of purified eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on platelet, fibrinolytic and vascular function in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients — PubMed
- The diverse nature of saturated fats and the case of medium-chain triglycerides: how one recommendation may not fit all — PubMed
- Hydrolyzed Collagen—Sources and Applications — PubMed
- Relationship between plasma essential fatty acids and smoking, serum lipids, blood pressure and haemostatic and rheological factors — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Dietary supplement
- A product containing vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet and support health.
- Medium-chain triglycerides
- A type of saturated fat with shorter chains of carbon atoms that are more quickly absorbed and metabolized by the body.
- Drug interactions
- Changes in how a medication works when combined with another substance, which can reduce effectiveness or increase side effects.
- Algal DHA
- An omega-3 fatty acid derived from algae that has similar properties to fish oil.
- Anticoagulants
- Medications that prevent blood clots by reducing the blood's ability to clot.
- Antihypertensives
- Medications used to lower high blood pressure.
- Antidiabetic drugs
- Medications used to manage and lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
- Additive effect
- When two substances work together to produce a combined effect that is stronger than either one alone.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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