My Experience With Exogenous Ketones: Tale And Truth
97 Comments I woke up the morning of the ceremony with butterflies in my stomach. I’d done the necessary prep. I’d abstained from carbs the past week and food the past 24 hours. I’d performed four consecutive full-body circuit workouts to deplete muscle glycogen, and undergone a liver biopsy to confirm full depletion of liver glycogen. I wasn’t taking any chances. Although I had extensive experience generating endogenous ketones and subsisting on my own body fat, exogenous ketones were another matter entirely. You don’t want to mess around with a holy sacrament without doing due diligence. Holy sacrament? Yes. According to ethnographic accounts from early Arctic explorers who encountered the sacred compound, the exogenous ketone was developed by traditional peoples of the wintry north. No one’s quite sure where it arose first—Siberia, Greenland, Alaska, Lapland. What they do know is that these societies revered the type 1 diabetic, a rare find in the pre-contact Arctic. Using an admittedly grisly and cruel process, these groups would starve the tribe’s diabetic to induce ketoacidosis, harvest the ketone-rich urine, and reduce it slowly to a ketone-rich tar over a wood fire. Tribe shamans would dissolve the tar in pine needle tea and distribute it to members exclusively before hunting trips, warfare, and any other activity requiring optimal physical and mental function to boost energy and improve performance. As Mark Twain famously quipped, “The strongest coffee I ever had was a Laplander’s piss.” So when I showed up to the small building on the edge of town on a rainy evening, I was anxious. What was I in for? The solemn countenances worn by my two guides for the day—Dr. Peter Attia, wearing dark robes and swinging a thurible loaded with burning Continue reading >>
Exogenous Ketones: To Ketone Or Not To Ketone
My thoughts on Exogenous Ketones After being contacted (following the Youtube Q&A) by several folks – both members of Ketogains and Internet strangers, I felt compelled to write as fair and even-handed a write-up on exogenous ketone supplementation as I feel can be mustered. I condition my response by saying this – I want to deal only in evidence and hypotheses grounded in biochemistry. I admit up front that this will probably become something of a treatise on what constitutes a well-formulated ketogenic diet. I don’t have the time (or the energy) to put together a document that covers all facets of the use of exogenous ketones in sufficient depth, so what I want to do is to address the folks that I see asking me about them most often – those who have excess body fat, and are looking to lose weight. They have been told about the potential benefits to fat loss via exogenous ketones, and they want to know if the hype is real. Those of you who know me (or read my previous post here) know that I like to respond with “it depends.” So…when the question is raised, “Should I supplement with exogenous ketones?” what do you think my answer will be? Probably not! (HA, I tricked you!)…but let’s explore why. As I’m sure this is going to be hotly debated enough (as the topic is raging in numerous ketogenic groups) there isn’t any value in dealing with speculation that doesn’t have a basis in science, nor in anecdotes. The challenge in dealing with exogenous ketone supplementation is two-fold: One side of the debate has a product to sell. Anytime someone’s livelihood is tied to your purchase of their product, bias and subjective interpretation of the evidence should be considered. The evidence (either for or against) their supplemental use by average schl Continue reading >>
Tag: Instaketones. Nutritional Ketosis
If you’re on a ketogenic diet or are researching the keto lifestyle, you have no doubt come across a so-called miracle product known as exogenous ketones. There are many variations out there, but the two most popular seem to be KetoOS from a company called Pruvit and Julian Bakery’s InstaKetones. Now, the fact that Pruvit is a multi-level marking (MLM) company should be enough to scare people away, but they’ve been around a long time and are really, really good at making their sales pitch sound convincing, which is what draws people to their products. So what is the pitch? According to Pruvit, dissolving one heaping scoop into 12 to 16 ounces of cold water twice a day provides you with exogenous ketones, which allows you to experience ketosis without having to follow a restrictive diet. As a matter of fact, they even claim that you can experience ketosis without making any modifications whatsoever. Continue reading >>
- Reversing Type 2 Diabetes with Nutritional Ketosis
- A Novel Intervention Including Individualized Nutritional Recommendations Reduces Hemoglobin A1c Level, Medication Use, and Weight in Type 2 Diabetes
- A Novel Intervention Including Individualized Nutritional Recommendations Reduces Hemoglobin A1c Level, Medication Use, and Weight in Type 2 Diabetes
My Experience With Exogenous Ketones
Last year I wrote a couple of posts on the nuances and complexities of ketosis, with an emphasis on nutritional ketosis (but some discussion of other states of ketosis—starvation ketosis and diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA). To understand this post, you’ll want to at least be familiar with the ideas in those posts, which can be found here and here. In the second of these posts I discuss the Delta G implications of the body using ketones (specifically, beta-hydroxybutyrate, or BHB, and acetoacetate, or AcAc) for ATP generation, instead of glucose and free fatty acid (FFA). At the time I wrote that post I was particularly (read: personally) interested in the Delta G arbitrage. Stated simply, per unit of carbon, utilization of BHB offers more ATP for the same amount of oxygen consumption (as corollary, generation of the same amount of ATP requires less oxygen consumption, when compared to glucose or FFA). I also concluded that post by discussing the possibility of testing this (theoretical) idea in a real person, with the help of exogenous (i.e., synthetic) ketones. I have seen this effect in (unpublished) data in world class athletes not on a ketogenic diet who have supplemented with exogenous ketones (more on that, below). Case after case showed a small, but significant increase in sub-threshold performance (as an example, efforts longer than about 4 minutes all-out). So I decided to find out for myself if ketones could, indeed, offer up the same amount of usable energy with less oxygen consumption. Some housekeeping issues before getting into it. This is a self-experiment, not real “data”—“N of 1” stuff is suggestive, but it prevents the use of nifty little things likes error bars and p-values. Please don’t over interpret these results. My reason for shari Continue reading >>
How To Use (and Not To Use) Exogenous Ketones For Weight Loss
“How do I use ketones to help me lose weight?” Great question. It’s worth the few minutes to understand how exogenous ketones can help people lose weight on a ketogenic diet, and not just jump to the conclusion that ketones = weight loss. Breaking Down Ketone Weight Loss Misconceptions The most common misconception (perhaps due to excessive marketing claims) is that taking ketone supplements will induce immediate weight loss. The purpose of this article is to explain how to use ketones as a piece of the puzzle in your weight loss lifestyle. Remember exogenous ketones are supplements. Very effective at what they do, but none the less, should be supplementary to a low carb/ketogenic style of eating that is geared towards weight loss (if weight loss is the goal). Ketones don’t cause weight loss, they help cause ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state where your body is using fatty acids for its primary source of energy. Just because you are using fat does not necessarily mean you are going to be losing weight or have a decrease in body fat percentage over an extended period of time. I have been in deep nutritional ketosis (>3.0mmol/dL) and had an increase in body fat percentage. I’ve also been in deep nutritional ketosis and had a decrease in body fat percentage. It all depends on how much fat and protein you are eating, in addition to being below a carb threshold that will induce ketosis. Please don’t take this to mean starve yourself. It just means that the average male American has over 40,000 calories in stored body fat and can, therefore, afford to eat a lower calorie ketogenic diet, and still survive (and thrive!). Take home message: Exogenous ketones are a tool to get you into ketosis or to boost your energy levels while already in ketosis. If your motive Continue reading >>
Instaketones Review: How Safe And Effective Is This Product?
Instaketones Overview The InstaKetones is a weight loss* formula designed to boost* your metabolism and cut down excess fat. The supplement formula is a combination of Paleo and Keteo Diet. The supplement will is to help you lose* fat and grow into a lean body with possibly a slimmer waist and flat tummy. What InstaKetones does is take your body into ketosis whereby your body is dedicated towards use of ketones as a source of energy and it greatly discourages immense consumption of food and frequent carbs cravings. Your body is put in a constant balance of calories. With InstaKetones there is also a concentration on increasing* your metabolism levels to increase* the burning of the stored fats. The Instaketones comes in different flavors. Each packet weighs 11.7g of BHB per serving and a total serving per packet is equal to 30 servings. Each packet goes for the price of $69.99. Manufacturer Information and Claims about InstaKetones The InstaKetones is a product manufacture of the Julian Bakery. The manufacturer claims that the product is both Paleo and Keteo friendly. They put claim that their product does not contain any; animal byproducts, gluten, artificial colors or flavorings and there are whatsoever any preservatives found in their product. Working Process and the Ingredients List The InstaKetones actually puts your body in a metabolic state whereby it increases* the quantity of ketones in the blood to a level higher than the usual. When this happens the body is said to be in a ketogenic state where there is a reliable compact metabolism of lipid energy and the body is now able to breakdown fats in the body. The broken down fats are converted into useful energy used to fuel daily body functions. The placing of the body in Ketosis also makes the body not require to Continue reading >>
Insta Ketones Review
Did you know that ketones are used to increase energy levels? Can Insta Ketones help? After researching, we dissected the ingredients, side effects and clinical studies. Then, we read hundreds of user comments to get their side of things. Then , we compiled the facts to give you the info you need. What is Insta Ketones? To start with, Insta Ketones is a powdered ketone supplement. It’s available in orange flavor and is supposed to help improve lean body mass so you look more sculpted, spike endurance levels, and kick your body into fat-burning mode. This formula contains monk fruit, beta hydroxybutyrate, and a blend of amino acids (l-leucine, l-taurine, l-tyrosine). It can potentially “increase your blood ketone level by two points.” To use it, you just add one scoop to eight ounces of cold water. This product was created by Paleo, Inc.; distributed by Julian Bakery. Online retailers such as Amazon and the official website sell the ketone drink. It’s caffeine-free, lactose-free, gluten-free, and doesn’t contain preservatives or artificial colors/flavors. Will you see an increase in energy and endurance? You’ll want to read on… Products Similar to Insta Ketones Product Price Review Musclepharm Assault read Force Factor Fuego read Fitmiss Ignite read Gnar Pump read Burn HD (Sample offer) read Taste of InstaKetones – “Bitter?” One concern is Insta Ketones ingredients. “We spotted a number of negative user remarks about the flavor of this ketones drink,” said our Research Editor. “Most people will not stick with a keto powder or energy drink if they dislike the taste.” One user posted, “I can’t get past the taste. It is extremely bitter. Adding more water helped, but it’s still really strong. I will be returning this product.” But there a Continue reading >>
Instaketones Review: Side Effects, Scam, Ingredients, Results, Does It Work?
InstaKetones Reviews Are you searching for the most effective supplement to help you lose weight? Do you know that there are many supplements in the market offering false promises to their customers? There are many adverts of weight loss supplements everywhere , giving clients hope of delivering results within the shortest time possible. This article will offer truthful information about Instaketones supplement that you need to know. Let me begin by saying that the instaketone does not work. Brief information about InstaKetones manufacturer The supplement is produced by the Julian bakery. They assure their customers that instaketones does not have any gluten, animal byproducts or any form of artificial preservatives. Main ingredients used in the manufacture of instaketones The main ingredients used in the manufacture of instaketones include Beta Hydroxyl butyrate and amino acids. Beta Hydroxybutyrate is responsible in increasing metabolism and breakdown of fats. The amino acids have various elements that perform various duties aimed at breaking down the fats. The working mechanism of Instaketones How Instaketone Work? The supplement works by increasing the level of Ketones in the blood stream. This puts the body in the state of ketosis which allows it to break down the fat. The broken fats are converted into energy which is later utilized in carrying out body functions. The ketogenic state of the body suppresses gluconeogenesis that hinders the conversion of fats to glucose. Furthermore, it decreases production of insulin consequently increasing growth hormones. Instaketones Pros Advantages of instaketone It is used as a weight loss supplement It increases the body metabolic rate It can be used to relief stress It has the ability to curb cravings It leads to the growth Continue reading >>
The Beginner’s Guide To Exogenous Ketones
Have you been wondering what exogenous ketones are? If so, you’re not the only one. The keto-dieting world has been buzzing with information about developments on exogenous ketones for awhile now, with many brands producing exogenous ketones that are used by Keto lifestylers around the world. But the majority of Keto dieters don’t completely understand what exogenous ketones are or how they can benefit their diet (or dieting options). In this post, we’ll provide you with easy to read information about exogenous ketones. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to utilize exogenous ketones in your diet, and teach others about their value. Let’s start with the label! The Definition of Exogenous Ketones Two words: exogenous and ketones. The word exogenous describes something that is developed from external factors; something outside of the usual production. So in terms of ketones, this means that exogenous ketones are synthetic: created outside of your body by scientists and then ingested for accelerated ketosis. We assume that you already know what ketones are, but just in case, we’ll give you a brief description of this term as well. Ketones, are organic compounds produced by in your body when your system experiences starvation, or when you restrict carbohydrates and increase fats, which inhibits a starvation-like state that produces ketone bodies. These ketones are an ideal fuel source for your body and your brain. Studies have suggested that when your body is in a ketogenic state, it utilizes oxygen more efficiently in the generation of energy. In short, ketones are secret weapons for anyone looking to take their body’s fueling system to the next level! To restate the point: Exogenous Ketones are ketone supplements. They’re created outside of your body and i Continue reading >>
How The Ketogenic Diet Works For Type 2 Diabetes
Special diets for type 2 diabetes often focus on weight loss, so it might seem crazy that a high-fat diet is an option. But the ketogenic (keto) diet, high in fat and low in carbs, can potentially change the way your body stores and uses energy, easing diabetes symptoms. With the keto diet, your body converts fat, instead of sugar, into energy. The diet was created in 1924 as a treatment for epilepsy, but the effects of this eating pattern are also being studied for type 2 diabetes. The ketogenic diet may improve blood glucose (sugar) levels while also reducing the need for insulin. However, the diet does come with risks, so make sure to discuss it with your doctor before making drastic dietary changes. Many people with type 2 diabetes are overweight, so a high-fat diet can seem unhelpful. The goal of the ketogenic diet is to have the body use fat for energy instead of carbohydrates or glucose. A person on the keto diet gets most of their energy from fat, with very little of the diet coming from carbohydrates. The ketogenic diet doesn’t mean you should load up on saturated fats, though. Heart-healthy fats are the key to sustaining overall health. Some healthy foods that are commonly eaten in the ketogenic diet include: eggs fish such as salmon cottage cheese avocado olives and olive oil nuts and nut butters seeds The ketogenic diet has the potential to decrease blood glucose levels. Managing carbohydrate intake is often recommended for people with type 2 diabetes because carbohydrates turn to sugar and, in large quantities, can cause blood sugar spikes. If you already have high blood glucose, then eating too many carbs can be dangerous. By switching the focus to fat, some people experience reduced blood sugar. The Atkins diet is one of the most famous low-carb, high-p Continue reading >>
In The Gym, In The Car,
Mind, Body, Performance Ketone bodies include acetoacetate, acetone and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) which facilitate mental and physical performance. GoBHB™ is a ketone body delivering an immediate boost of energy and performance to athletes, busy professionals and “Biohackers” looking for an edge. Not even close. Anyone looking to manage their weight, or feel more energetic throughout their day will love goBHB™. Busy professionals, on-the-go moms or dads, or college students looking for extra hours in the day will benefit from goBHB™. “Biohackers” love goBHB™ for its ability to maximize cognitive potential. For energy, cognition, weight management and ketogenic health, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more effective ingredient combination than goBHB™ and goMCT™, which are now exclusively available from Compound Solutions. Learn More GoBHB™ is a ketone body, a breakthrough energy supplement from Compound Solutions. When eating a low carbohydrate diet, the liver converts fats to ketones, which serve as an alternative energy source for the brain, heart and muscle. With goBHB™, you are ingesting a ready-to-use ketone body, giving athletes and busy professionals more energy, performance, and focus. GoBHB™ is most efficient when combined with goMCT™, for more information scroll to the bottom of this page Continue reading >>
Perfect Keto Vs Instaketones | What You Need To Know
Although I certainly have a stock of supplements that I stock, with everything from protein powder as well as vitamin D to electrolytes as well as BCAAs, I was constantly quite cynical regarding adding exogenous ketones to that collection. I’ve been keto for greater than 2 years at this moment, so absolutely my body should be an expert at making it’s very own ketones now, right? And obviously, the pushy sales pitches from MLM sellers on social networks really did not assist in any way; ketosis could certainly really feel wonderful often, however I do not like any type of supplement being sold as some kind of magic instantaneous weight loss service. I was constantly interested concerning them though, so when I finally came throughout a brand of exogenous ketones that really did not cost a ton of money and really did not require me to join an MLM program, I made a decision to provide it a try. Perfect Keto Base is designed to use the advantages of exogenous ketones while “tasting better and being more economical” compared to other options. I’ve been using it over the previous few weeks, and also because I understand a great deal of individuals have inquiries regarding exogenous ketones, I figured I would certainly share a few of my experience with Perfect Keto Vs Instaketones. What Is Perfect Keto Vs Instaketones? The main component in Perfect Keto Vs Instaketones is beta hydroxybutyrate (BHB), among the ketones that your body utilizes for energy while in ketosis. Supplementing with BHB through exogenous ketones raises your blood ketone degrees, which is related to boosted mood/focus, increased power, and also the various other effects you could be familiar from a keto lifestyle (such as fat burning, minimized yearnings, etc.). I’ve heard supplementing ketones Continue reading >>
Exogenous Ketone Supplements: Review Of Current Products And Future Developments
Exogenous ketone supplements hold promise for individuals looking to lose weight, improve their health and longevity, and enhance cognitive performance. In this article, we will dive into the history of exogenous ketone supplementation, the different forms of exogenous ketones that are available and what to look out for when choosing a supplement. The first installment of this two-part series, which can be found here, takes an in-depth look at what exactly exogenous ketones are and how they work. If you haven’t had a chance to read that yet, it is highly recommended you do so before continuing on with this installment. Before moving on, it’s necessary to clarify that beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is the predominant ketone found in exogenous ketone supplements. Therefore, “BHB” supplement (i.e. beta-hydroxybutyrate supplements) is just another name for exogenous ketone supplement. The State of Exogenous Ketone Supplements Exogenous ketone supplements are somewhat new on the scene, with a select few companies manufacturing them for dietary use. The exogenous ketone products currently available on the market are BHB mineral salts (BHB with sodium and potassium to improve absorption). The term “BHB mineral salts” is synonymous with beta-hydroxybutyrate salts and ketone salts. There are also combination BHB supplements that include MCT (or other) oils. Exogenous ketone products come in either liquid or powder form. Timeline of Introduction of Ketone Supplements Exogenous ketone supplements have been in research & development since the early 2000s, but didn’t start making their way to the general public until late 2014. Ketoforce by Prototype Nutrition was the first to launch, followed up shortly thereafter by Pruvit’s Keto OS (and Keto OS Charged, a caffeinated Continue reading >>
Is There A Dark Side Of Ketosis?
I can’t remember what appetizer she pointed to, but the woman sitting to the left of me said this so casually, and several folks at the table knew exactly what she meant, confirming what I’d long suspected: Ketogenic diets have officially gone mainstream – or recognizable at a party mainstream at least – in 2017. Let’s back up and demystify ketosis, which simply means you’re utilizing ketone bodies – more commonly called ketones – rather than glucose as your body’s primary fuel. Just like your car uses gasoline, your body needs fuel. That usually means glucose. But let’s say you’re on a very-low carbohydrate, higher-fat diet. Your body doesn’t get a lot of glucose, which primarily comes from carbohydrate and to a lesser degree protein. That means your liver’s backup glucose (glycogen) also becomes in short supply. Unlike your car, your body doesn’t just shut down. Thankfully, you have an alternative fuel source called ketones. Ketones are organic compounds your liver always makes. You’re cranking out ketones right now as you read this. During starvation or (more likely) when you restrict carbohydrate and increase fat intake, your body uses ketones as its primary fuel. In other words, when your body doesn’t receive or can’t make enough glucose, it shifts to this alternative fuel. Almost every organ can utilize ketones except for your red blood cells (which don’t have ketone-metabolizing mitochondria) and liver. Your liver, in fact, does the heavy lifting. This hardworking organ metabolizes fat into three ketone bodies: acetoacetate (ACA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and acetone.(1) BHB is the first substrate that kicks ketosis into action. Among its benefits, BHB reduces chronic inflammation and restores healthy inflammation levels. In Continue reading >>
Julian Bakery Instaketones Review
Every day it seems there’s a new article, podcast, YouTube video, or infomercial touting the benefits of ketones. And all that attention is largely justified because if you can find the right product and stick to the plan, the chances are good that you’ll be able to lose weight and get in shape through the lifestyle. But not all ketone related products are created equal. And, it can be difficult to try and figure out which ones are worth the time and money you’re going to invest in them and which ones you should pass on. That’s why we’re here, to make sense of it all. Below we’re going to take a close look at one highly touted product - Julian Bakery Instaketones - and see if it lives up to the hype. What are Instaketones? Products like Instaketones are intended to spur the body to replicate the effects of being in the elusive state; that physiological state where the body switches from burning carbohydrates for energy to burning fat for energy. It's a phenomenon that is well-documented, scientifically verified and has been practiced/recommended for nearly a century as a treatment for various maladies. It has found favor in recent years for its ability to promote effective, sustainable weight loss and it's that effect that products like Julian Bakery Instaketones are intended to provide. Some reviews you’ll read of Insta Ketones tout it as an energy booster. But it's more than that, and the effects it has on the body are more profound than any generated by simply drinking an espresso, which will also boost your energy. At least temporarily. A product like Julian Baskery Instaketones is formulated to mimic the effects of the ketosis itself. That is, to trick the body into burning fats instead of carbs. That way you get the energy boost you need and the weig Continue reading >>
