488 Exogenous Ketones [10 Sept 2018]

A few weeks ago I wrote about the recent popularity of ketogenic diets [#482 30 July 2018]. These are very low carb diets with either low dietary fat for weight loss or higher dietary fat for other purposes. With both types of ketogenic diets, the main fuel burned for energy is fat – either your own stored fat or fat you eat. The metabolic state of burning fat for fuel is known as ketosis because the fat is first converted to ketones which are then converted to ATP energy in the cells’ mitochondria.

More recent is the promotion of ketone supplements – called exogenous ketones as opposed to endogenous ketones produced within the body. These supplements are purported to have similar benefits to ketogenic diets, but without the dieting. The theory sounds attractive but I’m not buying it. I believe it is the diet, with the reduction of carbs leading to a reduction in blood insulin levels, which provides most of the benefits. The ketones are just a byproduct of the process.

There may however be some benefits from ketone supplements. In a post on the blog The Diabetes Coach, titled “Are Exogenous Ketones Beneficial for Blood Sugar?” Dr Brian Mowll suggests that ketones enhance insulin sensitivity. He cites a small study from Oxford which showed lower glucose spikes with an oral glucose tolerance test for the group who had consumed a ketone drink.

But another ketogenic diet study, with obese diabetics, that Mowll cites as support that ketones increase insulin sensitivity did not include a ketone supplement. There is no evidence that it was the ketones, not the ketogenic diet itself, which provided the benefits.

In any case, if weight loss is the goal, adding extra fat or taking ketone supplements will only reduce the amount of body fat burned. And that, after all, is the whole idea.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.