Fast Talk Femmes Podcast: Ketone Supplementation and Performance Optimization with Dr. Peter Hespel
Nov 28, 2023
auto_awesome
World-renowned sports scientist Dr. Peter Hespel discusses the potential benefits of ketone supplementation for athletes. Topics include ketone use in endurance sports, nuances of ketone use, GDF 15 as a marker of overtraining, effects of ketone esters on glycolysis and acidosis during exercise, ketone esters and exercise performance, impact of ketone esters on cognitive function, ketone supplementation in professional cycling, role of ketone use in superhuman performances, evolution of cycling and ketone supplementation research, and ketone supplementation for performance optimization.
Ketone ester supplementation can enhance recovery and endurance performance in endurance athletes after intensive training.
Ketone esters do not significantly improve performance in high-intensity exercises lasting between 15 to 30 minutes, and can actually hinder performance due to increased acidosis and reduced glycolysis.
Ketone esters improve mental alertness and reaction times in ultra endurance athletes, potentially due to the release of dopamine in the central nervous system.
Deep dives
Improving Recovery in Endurance Athletes with Ketone Use
In a study conducted by Dr. Peter Huesbill, the use of ketone esters was found to enhance recovery in endurance athletes after intensive training. The study involved cyclists subjected to three weeks of high-volume training, with half of the participants receiving ketone esters and the other half receiving a placebo. Participants who took ketone esters showed better performance in time trials and long endurance tests, with an average improvement of 15%. Furthermore, they were able to maintain energy balance and increase carbohydrate intake, which positively affected their endurance performance. However, it is important to note that these benefits were observed in the context of intense training and may not extend to recreational athletes or those with less demanding training regimens.
Ketone Esters and Performance in High-Intensity Exercise
When it comes to high-intensity exercise lasting between 15 to 30 minutes, research conducted by Dr. Peter Huesbill and others suggests that ketone esters do not significantly improve performance. Instead, they can hinder performance due to increased acidosis and reduced glycolysis. The study also found that co-administering bicarbonate, a common practice used to buffer acidosis, did not enhance performance either. As a result, the use of ketone esters is not recommended for high-intensity exercise lasting between 15 to 30 minutes. These findings have mainly been observed in male participants, but there is limited evidence to suggest different results for female athletes.
Ketone Esters and Oxygenation in Hypoxic Conditions
In a study exploring the effects of ketone esters during exercise in hypoxic conditions, it was found that while there was an increase in arterial oxygen content, there was no improvement in performance. This is due to the fact that the consumption of ketone esters triggers acidosis, leading to increased lung work and respiratory rate. Despite the higher arterial oxygen content, it did not translate to performance benefits. These findings were consistent with similar studies conducted by other research groups, such as the one led by Martin Gebala at the University of Guelph. While predominantly studied in males, the results are likely applicable to both male and female athletes.
Enhancing Mental Alertness in Ultra Endurance Athletes with Ketone Use
In an intriguing study focused on ultra endurance athletes, Dr. Peter Huesbill and his team investigated the effects of ketone esters on mental alertness during a 100-kilometer race. The study found that ketone esters improved mental alertness and reaction times in the athletes, potentially due to the release of dopamine in the central nervous system. This effect was observed throughout the entire race, as participants continuously received high doses of ketone esters. These findings open up a potential application for ketone esters in helping ultra endurance athletes maintain mental focus and alertness during prolonged and demanding events. Further research is needed to validate these results and explore their applicability to different types of ultra endurance activities.
Effects of Ketone Esters on Cognitive Function
The podcast explores a study conducted at Dublin University on the effects of ketone esters on cognitive function. The study found that taking ketone esters improved cognitive function in situations where cognitive function was deteriorated, such as during exercise or certain diseases. However, ketone esters did not enhance cognitive function beyond normal levels. The study also mentioned the potential role of dopamine and the need for further research on ketone esters' impact on dopamine production in the central nervous system.
Ketone Esters and Erythropoietin Release
The podcast discusses another study that examined the effects of ketone esters on erythropoietin release and muscular angiogenesis during endurance training overload. The study found that ketone ester intake stimulated the release of erythropoietin, which aids in muscular angiogenesis. It was suggested that ketone esters may improve recovery during high-volume training by counteracting the suppression of erythropoietin release. However, the positive effects of ketone esters on erythropoietin release were not observed in well-balanced training programs, indicating that the benefits may be more pronounced in situations of training overload.