285: Do the Potential Benefits of Ketone Supplements Go Beyond Performance?
Sep 14, 2023
auto_awesome
Dr. Brendan Egan, a top researcher in ketone supplementation, discusses the types and impact of ketone supplements on our health. They explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of ketone esters in endurance sports and the effects of ketones on fuel usage during exercise. They also discuss the benefits of ketone bodies in Alzheimer's and personal experiences using ketones in ultra-endurance gravel events.
Research does not strongly support the use of ketone supplements for immediate performance enhancement.
Ketones have potential therapeutic benefits in conditions like traumatic brain injury, cancer, and catabolic processes.
Exogenous ketone supplements show promise in mitigating cognitive decline during exercise and maintaining mental alertness.
Deep dives
Ketones and Performance
Research on the performance benefits of ketones is inconclusive. While some studies show potential improvements, others show negative effects, particularly during high-intensity exercise. Overall, the evidence does not strongly support the use of ketone supplements for immediate performance enhancement.
Ketones and Health Benefits
Ketones have shown promising effects in various health applications. They have been studied for their potential therapeutic benefits in conditions like traumatic brain injury, cancer, and catabolic processes. Ketones can act as both substrates and signaling molecules, affecting inflammation, oxidative stress, and gene expression. The current research suggests that the health benefits of ketones may outweigh their performance-enhancing effects.
Different Types of Exogenous Ketones
There are various types of exogenous ketones available, including ketone salts and ketone esters. Ketone salts are buffered compounds that can elevate ketone levels, but may cause gastrointestinal issues. Ketone esters can increase ketone body concentrations more effectively, reaching levels of around 3-4 millimolar. While the research on exogenous ketones is extensive, the studies have primarily focused on non-elite athletes. The potential benefits and responses of elite athletes to ketones remain an area for further investigation.
Benefits and limitations of ketone esters in relation to glucose control
Ketone esters have the potential to lower glucose concentrations and mitigate the rise in glucose levels when ingested with carbohydrate bolus. This can be beneficial for individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes. However, the high cost of ketone esters compared to other established therapies, such as fiber or protein supplementation, poses a challenge for wider application in certain therapeutic situations.
The potential role of ketone esters in cognitive function during exercise
Exogenous ketone supplements have shown promise in mitigating the decline in cognitive performance during exercise. Studies indicate that ketone supplements can help prevent cognitive decline and maintain mental alertness, especially during cognitively demanding activities such as ultra-endurance events. While the exact mechanisms are still being explored, ketone supplements have been found to have potential cognitive benefits, although more research is needed to fully understand their impact.
We talk with one of the top researchers in the world on ketone supplementation, Dr. Brendan Egan. We get into the types of supplements, their impact on our health, and possibly the least interesting question – do they help performance?
