The Challenges and Costs of Producing Ketone Esters

https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/dom

A few months ago, I recorded a highly controversial ketosis interview with Dr. Richard Veech, in which Dr. Veech claimed that the form of ketones most people take to get into ketosis are actually quite dangerous.

Dr. Veech's solution was something called "ketone esters", which are extremely expensive, but, according to him, a far more natural, safe and healthy way to quickly get the body into ketosis - for anything from managing medical conditions, to improving cognition, to increasing endurance and beyond. In the video below, I actually experimented with these spendy ketone esters myself and, as you can see, the results were astounding...

After shooting this video, I took another bottle of ketone esters to a Tough Mudder event and recorded a crazy video on Snapchat during which I elevated both blood glucose by drinking 75 grams of pure glucose and elevated blood ketones by drinking a bottle of the ketone salts, and the results were equally as astounding, resulting in one of the fastest races of my life. But the question remains: are these fancy, expensive ketone esters actually far better than ketone salts? Are ketone salts, which is what most people use, actually going to result in long term health issues? In today's podcast, I bring on ketosis expert Dr. Dominic D’Agostino to get his opinion. Dominic is an Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. He is also a Visiting Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). His laboratory develops and tests nutritional strategies and metabolic-based supplements for neurological disorders, cancer inflammation and performance enhancement in extreme environments. His research is supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Department of Defense (DoD), private organizations and foundations. He's also no stranger to this podcast, having been a previous guest in the episode "A Deep Dive Into Ketosis: How Navy Seals, Extreme Athletes & Busy Executives Can Enhance Physical and Mental Performance With The Secret Weapon of Ketone Fuel".

During today's discussion, you'll discover:

-The difference between a ketone salt and a ketone ester...[9:25]

-Three unique compounds you can "mix" with ketones to enhance deliverability, and the important difference between BCAAs and EAA's...[23:55]

-Why is it that some people, including Dr. Veech, believe ketone esters to be dangerous and MCT oil to block BHB absorption...[41:05 & 62:40]

-What Dominic has found by testing both ketone salts and ketone esters in his lab...[44:30]

-If there is actually any evidence of people experiencing medical issues with the use of ketone salts or esters...[47:50]

-The safety of using ephedrine for fat loss, and Dom's own experience with ephedrine...[60:05]

-Whether you can combine glucose with ketones to enhance performance...[65:40]

-Why the salts so much more expensive than the ester, and whether there are ways to make either that actually are cost effective...[72:15]

-And much more!

Resources from this episode: -My article and review of common ketone supplements such as Pruvit and KetoCaNa called "How To Get Into Ketosis" -The Metabolic Therapeutics Conference -NatureAminos amino acids supplement -Brain Octane -The HMB/ATP stack that Ben takes (and the study that discusses this approach) -Is It Possible To Be Extremely Active and Eat A Low Carbohydrate Diet? (my interview with Peter Attia)

Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Dominic or me? Leave your comments at BenGreenfieldFitness.com and one of us will reply!

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