Biomarkers include a wide range of things, including proteins, genes, metabolites, hormones, and other molecules that are measurable in biological samples (blood, urine, tissue, or saliva). The discovery of biomarkers is a crucial step in various fields, including medicine, clinical research, and diagnostics, and serves many important purposes.

What Biomarker Discovery Does

There are many examples of things biomarker discovery helps with. These things include helping doctors and researchers both identify and make recommendations for dealing with specific conditions.

Disease Diagnosis

Biomarkers can help in the early and accurate diagnosis of diseases. For example, specific proteins or genetic markers in blood can indicate the presence of certain cancers.

Disease Prognosis

Biomarkers can provide information about the likely course of a disease, its severity, and the potential response to treatment. This information can guide healthcare decisions.

Treatment Selection

Identifying biomarkers associated with drug response allows for the selection of the most effective treatment options for individual patients, a field known as personalized or precision medicine.

Monitoring Disease Progression

Biomarkers can be used to track the progression of diseases, such as the measurement of certain enzymes in heart disease patients to assess heart function.

Predictive Biomarkers

Some biomarkers can predict an individual’s susceptibility to a disease or adverse events. For example, certain genetic markers can indicate an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Pharmacodynamic Markers

Biomarkers can be used to monitor the effects of drugs on the body and ensure that the intended biological responses are occurring.

How Biomarker Discovery Works

The process of biomarker discovery typically involves a few steps that can differ from field to field.

Biomarker Hypothesis

Researchers formulate hypotheses about potential biomarkers based on existing knowledge, clinical observations, or data from previous studies.

Biomarker Screening

High-throughput technologies, such as genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, are often employed to screen a large number of potential biomarkers in biological samples.

Data Analysis

The collected data is analyzed to identify statistically significant associations between specific biomarkers and the condition or process of interest.

Validation

Candidate biomarkers are further validated using independent datasets or additional experiments to confirm their reliability and relevance.

Clinical Testing

Promising biomarkers are evaluated in clinical studies involving patient populations to assess their diagnostic or prognostic value.

Regulatory Approval

If a biomarker proves to be clinically useful, it may undergo regulatory approval processes, such as those set forth by the FDA, before being used in clinical practice or diagnostics.

Clinical Implementation

Once validated and approved, biomarkers can be integrated into clinical practice for disease diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment decision-making.

Biomarker discovery is a constantly evolving field, driven by advances in technology and our increasing understanding of the molecular and genetic underpinnings of diseases. It holds great promise for improving disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as advancing our understanding of complex biological processes.

Research at Biofortis

Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health throughout the world by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.

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Postbiotics have been connected to a number of gut health benefits, along with some immune system and overall health. But what are postbiotics? Let’s take a look at each type of -biotic and what they are.

Prebiotics, Probiotics, & Postbiotics

Probiotics are healthy bacteria inside the gut that help support health by converting fiber into other beneficial compounds.

Prebiotics are nutrients, mainly consisting of fiber, that feeds the healthy bacteria in the gut.

Postbiotics are the beneficial compounds probiotic bacteria produce when they consume prebiotics.

What are Postbiotics?

In a nutshell, postbiotics are bioactive compounds that develop when probiotic bacteria feed on prebiotic food in your colon (mainly fibers). Postbiotics are technically considered waste products of probiotic bacteria but they offer many health benefits.

There are many types of postbiotics. Here is a list of common types of postbiotic compounds:

• short-chain fatty acids
• lipopolysaccharides
• exopolysaccharides
• enzymes
• cell wall fragments
• bacterial lysates (a mixture made from bacterial components)
• cell-free supernatants (a mixture of compounds produced by bacteria and yeast)
• various other metabolites such as vitamins and amino acids

Supplements based on postbiotic compounds are not yet widely available, as research is still being conducted on them. The easiest way to get postbiotic benefits at the moment is to eat more prebiotic foods, as postbiotics develop from probiotic bacteria consuming them.

Postbiotic Health Benefits & Potential Benefits

Postbiotics as a public health concept is new, but they have been linked to health benefits in the body for a long time. Here are some of the benefits that have been linked to postbiotics:

Immune system support. Postbiotics are known to have properties that can strengthen the immune system. Short-chain fatty acids can stimulate the production of healthy cells in the intestines, helping to control the body’s immune responses.

Reduce inflammation. Some postbiotic compounds, including supernatants from healthy bacteria, can increase the rate of anti-inflammatory chemical production. The cytokines that are found in some postbiotics can help reduce inflammation.

Possible benefits for digestive conditions. Postbiotics are being researched to discover how beneficial they may be for conditions including IBD, Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative Colitis. Research is focused on the production of short-chain fatty acids in the gut and how postbiotic supplements may assist in this process.

Possible diarrhea treatment. Research is also currently being done on how postbiotics can help treat or possibly even prevent diarrhea. Early tests have shown postbiotic compounds working better than control group supplements.

More Potential Postbiotic Health Benefits

The following list includes potential postbiotic health benefits that are all being researched. There are no definitive conclusions on any of the health benefits below, but the data is promising enough to warrant further studies.

• Allergies
• Weight-loss
• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar
• May be better tolerated than probiotics

The potential benefits of postbiotics is exciting and new things are being discovered as ongoing research is conducted.

Postbiotics and Diet

Postbiotic supplements are not widely available. Current supplements at health food stores may not have enough research to back the benefits they tout. Postbiotics can, however, be naturally manufactured by the body by eating certain foods.

The list below contains sources of both pre-and probiotics, both important in the manufacture of postbiotic compounds.

Good Sources of Prebiotics

• garlic
• onions
• leeks
• asparagus
• barley
• oats
• flaxseed
• seaweed

Good Sources of Probiotics

• yogurt with live cultures
• sauerkraut
• kimchi
• miso
• tempeh
• kombucha

What We Know About Postbiotics

Research on postbiotic benefits in almost all areas is ongoing. What is known is that postbiotics are bioactive compounds that develop from probiotics consuming prebiotics. Postbiotics are technically a waste product, although they have been shown to be beneficial for our gastrointestinal health.

Due to the fact that postbiotics have shown a lot of promise in the areas of gut health, immune system health, and allergies, research has been ramping up over the last few years.

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Food is metabolized by gut microbes, which also help bolster our immune systems. The last few years have seen a large increase in the amount of research being conducted on gut health in general. There is still much to be learned about the big picture, but a few areas of research have jumped ahead of the pack.

These areas of research include probiotics and prebiotics. You’ve probably heard both of these terms at one point or another. But what’s the difference between them?

Probiotics Vs. Prebiotics

It’s actually very simple to break down: Probiotics are actual bacteria (healthy bacteria) while prebiotics is basically food that enriches the diet of probiotic bacteria. So, probiotics: are healthy bacteria. Prebiotic: food for probiotic bacteria.

Fiber is the most common content in prebiotics. Gut bacteria are able to manufacture some prebiotics on their own, but enriching the food supply for probiotic bacteria has been the area of focus for recent studies.

“Dietary fibers are more complicated than you may think because there are so many subtle differences in their chemical makeup,” says Julie Stefanski, registered dietitian, nutritionist, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. 

“Researchers are studying prebiotics as a possible aid to many health conditions, including allergies, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, skincare, and also how they could bolster the health of lungs and the reproductive tract. Prebiotics are even being studied as an intervention for COVID-19 with the idea that a healthy immune system — bolstered by diet and nutrition — can help your body fight off viral infections. If some of the research pans out, prebiotics could fuel a new generation of food products.”

What’s In Prebiotics?

Prebiotics contain mostly complex carbohydrates that are low-digestible. Microbes in the gut use these fibers, which can help strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation. Prebiotics are healthy foods but can be hard to digest without the right mix of probiotic bacteria.

Foods like lentils, bananas, onions, and whole grains make up the base of a prebiotic-friendly diet. Some fermented foods that contain prebiotics also pack double the benefit and contain probiotics as well. They include sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and kombucha, among others.

Most prebiotics is low-digestible, complex carbohydrates. Some examples of prebiotics are whole grains, bananas, onions, legumes like chickpeas and lentils, and greens. If you choose 

The Future of Prebiotics and Probiotics

Current research is looking at many things. At the top of the list are combinations of prebiotics and probiotics that work together to aid the digestive system.

“Prebiotics are not as simple as adding asparagus to the diet. When you think about something like food, we are very cautious when we use this kind of language. We think there has to be a really deep commitment to understanding the components of food that affect functions of the microbiota that in turn affects humans.” 

“In a recent series of papers in Cell, Elife, and Cell Host & Microbe the team studied how prebiotic fiber is selectively used by gut microbes by designing a biosensor — a series of artificial food particles attached to microscopic glass beads. A color label helps track the beads. The team sent the nutrient-decorated beads into the intestinal tracts of specialized mice with specific human gut communities.” 

Research like this is allowing us to look at prebiotics and postbiotics like never before. Finding the optimal balance between probiotics and the prebiotics they consume is the goal while discovering how to properly apply that relationship to our diet is the end game. 

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The theme of this year’s National Nutrition Month is “Fuel for the Future,” with a focus on sustainability.  Wondering what it means to eat sustainably? We’ve got some tips to help you preserve the health of the earth while improving your own health and well-being.

Eating for the Earth

There are multiple ways to eat and shop in a way that supports the environment, including eating more plant-based proteins (while reducing meat consumption), reducing food waste, and buying local produce.

Prioritize Plant-Based Proteins

Especially as grocery costs rise, swapping your beef or poultry for a plant-based protein can cut down on costs, reduce your carbon footprint, and provide some additional health benefits.  Plant-based proteins include foods like beans, legumes, tempeh, tofu, and nuts. Meat production requires significant water and contributes to an increased carbon footprint, but producing plant-based proteins, specifically legumes, has been shown to improve soil health and biodiversity.

Reduce Food Waste

We’ve probably all had the experience of tossing a neglected bag of spinach at the end of the week. If you know you struggle to finish fresh produce, buying frozen and canned produce can be an excellent way to reduce food waste. Other ways to reduce food waste (and food-packing waste) include using creativity with leftovers, buying foods with minimal packaging, and opting for reusable containers and bags over disposable containers.

Buy Local

Buying produce at the farmer’s market (or even growing your own!) is a sustainable option because it cuts down on the amount of transportation – and carbon emissions – needed to get food from the farm to your table.

For more tips on sustainable eating, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Website.

Health Benefits of Eating Sustainably

Can eating for the environment help you live longer? It’s possible! One study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that eating more plant proteins may lengthen lifespan. Plant-based proteins are generally low in saturated fat and have fiber, which is beneficial for blood sugar management, heart health, digestion. Even for plant-based proteins with fat, like nuts and seeds, these are healthy fats that may benefit cardiovascular health.

Eating fruits and vegetables – whether canned and frozen or fresh from the farmer’s market– are also beneficial for our health. A study published in the Lancet found that a plant-rich diet, including fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins, may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.  Fruits and vegetables contain fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals help keep our bodies healthy. Especially in the hot summer months, fruits and vegetables can help with our hydration due to their high water content. When opting for frozen or canned produce, opt for for labels like “no added sugar” and “low sodium”.

Needs some inspiration to start your sustainability journey? Check out these ideas for some nutritious, sustainable meal swaps to fuel your future:

• Black Bean Tacos: replace the beef or ground turkey with low-sodium canned black beans)
• Sweet Potato Chili: swap the beef for an extra can of beans and chopped sweet potato and add extra fresh or frozen veggies like bell peppers, carrots, celery, or whatever you enjoy
• Egg Scramble: swap the eggs for crumbled, firm tofu and season with your favorite herbs and spices. Worried about missing the classic yellow color? Use a dash of turmeric.

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A recent study aimed to systematically review the available evidence and conduct a meta-analysis of studies reporting on exogenous ketones and blood glucose. Randomized and nonrandomized trials of any length that reported on the use of exogenous ketones were used for the meta-analysis. 

Effects of Exogenous Ketones

The study calculated raw mean differences in blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and glucose in two different ways:

• Before acute ingestion of exogenous ketones
• After acute ingestion of exogenous ketones

Participants who ingested exogenous ketones showed increased blood BHB and decreased mean blood glucose. Compared to placebo groups, blood BHB increased and blood glucose decreased. Across both analyses, significantly greater effects were seen in groups with ketone monoesters.

Why are Exogenous Ketones Important?

Exogenous ketones are important because they may be able to help the body achieve natural ketosis without difficult dietary changes. Natural ketosis is being studied for potentially life-changing effects on conditions including epilepsy and gastrointestinal disorders.

Administration of exogenous ketones may also have a positive effect on performance, both athletically and academically. Current research suggests ketosis may help produce more Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules from oxygen. ATP molecules provide energy that drives processes in living cells, like muscle contraction and nerve impulse propagation.

Increased Blood BHB & Ketone Supplementation

Evidence from the meta-analysis study suggests that acute ingestion of exogenous ketones leads to increased blood BHB and decreased blood glucose. Limited evidence on prolonged ketone supplementation was found.

The results of this recent study and other similar meta-analyses suggest that ketone supplementation is worthy of further consideration.

Research at Biofortis

Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health worldwide by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.

The post Blood Glucose Ketone Supplementation appeared first on Biofortis Research.

As you might have heard, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. is working to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants in food and beverage products. The Closer to Zero campaign focuses on baby and young children’s food products, and the four main contaminants are arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. These four contaminants, also called heavy metals or toxic elements, are found naturally. Exposure to higher levels can cause health risks, especially in younger children as their immune systems are not yet fully developed.

This initiative is going to evaluate the common foods eaten by infants and young children, such as dairy-based infant formula, soy-based infant formula, meat-based baby foods, and vegetable-based baby foods. In addition, the agency will also look into heavy metals exposure in fruits and cereals. After an intense scientific study, as well as consultation with stakeholders, the FDA will implement action levels. These action levels are what the FDA considers achievable by industry to minimize the presence of heavy metals. Upon finalizing these action levels, a timeframe will be established for assessment of the industry in meeting these standards.

The first Draft Guidance of this initiative was released in late January 2023 and is centered around lead levels. The final version will not be worked on until later this year. The tentative action levels for lead in the following foods are:

• 10 parts per billion (ppb) for fruits, vegetables (excluding single-ingredient root vegetables), mixtures (including grain and meat-based mixtures), yogurts, custards/puddings, and single-ingredient meats
• 20 ppb for root vegetables (single ingredient)
• 20 ppb for dry infant cereals

While we await the official Draft Guidances for arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, the forthcoming action levels have been known for some time, thus Mérieux NutriSciences has already implemented an update to meet these guidelines. Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) testing, our chemists have successfully lowered our detection limits for the four heavy metals.

Detection limits for the ICP-MS testing method for heavy metals.

Although the initial reason for updating our internal methodology was to meet the coming Closer to Zero action levels, our method capability can cover nearly all food and beverage products, with some restrictions on a matrix-to-matrix basis.

Contact Merieux NutriSciences today for any questions relating to the Closer to Zero campaign or how we can help you!

Contact Mérieux

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Sugar reduction in foods has been a major public health priority for governments and consumers alike. Consumption of foods high in sugar has been linked to numerous diseases and other physical health complications. Reducing sugar through the reformulation of products may be the answer.

Many believe that food manufacturers are dragging their feet on reformulating their products to reduce the amount of sugar, but some are leading the way. Let’s take a look at some of the ways manufacturers are achieving reducing sugar through reformulations.

Highlights:

• Sugar is one of the biggest concerns for consumers in terms of food and beverage choices.
• Sugar reformulation in confectionaries and alcoholic beverages is particularly popular.
• Consumers prefer natural sweeteners to artificial sweeteners in their sugar reformulations.
• New novel sugars are slowly making their way to the market and may provide manufacturers with additional options.

Why is sugar reformulation so important?

According to the IFIC’s 17th annual 2022 Food and Health Survey, which explored Americans’ perspectives and behavior related to food, “low in sugar” was the second most popular answer when participants were asked what the main attributes of healthy food were (32%). The most popular answer was “fresh” (37%).  This illustrates the gravity of consumers’ perceptions of sugar and health. Additionally, this survey found that nearly three out of four, or 73% of respondents answered that they are trying to limit or avoid sugars.

In Europe, a recent study from the EFSA found that 2 out of 3 respondents had, at some point in their life, tried to reduce their sugar intake.

This data highlights the importance of reducing sugar for consumers and also what food and beverage producers see as a potentially profitable and burgeoning market.

What types of products are being reformulated?

Soft drinks have long been used as the poster child for the obesity crisis and beverage manufacturers have already taken numerous steps to reduce the sugar content in many of these drinks.

According to UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe, the European soft drink industry reduced average added sugars by 3.6% between 2019 and 2021.   While sugar reformulation in the soft drinks sector has been making major strides, industry experts believe that alcoholic beverages, such as beer and cider, will be the next major group to look to reformulate.

Another major area of sugar reduction through reformulation has been in confectionary and sweets. There have been significant product launches this year in these categories with low sugar/reduced sugar or even zero sugar claims.

How can sugar reformulation be achieved?

If consumers want less sugar and producers are to meet these expectations, what options do they have to replace sugar in their formulations?

One thing has become clear in all areas of reformulation, while consumers demand certain ingredients be cut, they still expect the products to taste good. Therefore, one of the ways producers are keeping flavor while reducing sugars is to add additional ingredients that have high flavor profiles such as fruits, seeds, cocoa, and nuts. These added ingredients not only allow the product to remain tasty with a reduction of sugar, but also allow companies to market them as having added protein, vitamins, or fibers.

Many brands are choosing sugar-free options, which often means relying on high-intensity sweeteners like Stevia. In these cases, the product can become overly sweet, therefore, formulators often add cocoa powder for instance to soften the taste through added bitterness.

Natural vs Artificial Sugars

Clean labels and simple ingredient lists are becoming more and more favored by consumers across the globe. The choice of sweetener will become even more important to consumers as their interest in reduced-sugar options expands beyond sugar content alone. Consumers are starting to look more closely at product labels for the types of sweeteners used in their food and beverage purchases as clean label demands have become commonplace. People want to buy items that are beneficial for them and the environment, and they are increasingly making purchases based on their principles. Because of this, they are drawn to product labels that are brief and emphasize natural components.

This has led consumers to favor natural over artificial sweeteners when it comes to sugar reformulations. Consumers expect reformulations to be plant-based, sustainable, and natural. Therefore, sweeteners like honey and stevia, which are plant-based are increasingly favored. It also allows food and beverage manufacturers to make the claim of “naturally sweetened,” which is much more in line with consumers’ values.

Another major trend in sugar reformulations is the use of natural syrups or extracts. These natural sweetening syrups such as rice, oat, and other cereals are easy for consumers to identify with and understand making them ideal choices for natural sweetening. Additionally, food and beverage manufacturers can make natural claims with these syrups, and they are often easy to incorporate in reformulations.

New sugar alternatives

Three of the most interesting advances in the near future for sugar reformulation are Reb M stevia production, bioconversion, and precision fermentation. These advancements once improved have the potential to not only reduce sugar or eliminate it completely but also make low-sugar products more affordable and sustainable in the long term.

Another new area that might play a critical role in sugar reformulation is the development of flavor and taste modification techniques. These substances, which are often marketed as natural flavors, can help reduce sugar in products like baked goods where sweeteners like stevia are not allowed.

Other novel food sugars like allulose are still under regulatory review but could have future potential for reformulations.

The future for sugar reformulation is bright

Overall, it is clear that consumer demand is driving sugar reformulation efforts. Furthermore, food and beverage producers seem keener than ever to meet these expectations, and how they can achieve these goals has never been more plentiful!

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Since then, Ketogenic diets have spread to most places around the world. Ketogenic diets are high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diets that are used mainly to treat hard-to-control epilepsy in children. The idea behind the diet is forcing the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. A lack of carbohydrates forces the liver to convert fats into ketone bodies and fatty acids, which replace glucose as an energy source.

While the body can be forced to create ketones, they can also be introduced externally.

What are Exogenous Ketones?

The term exogenous means coming from outside the body. For Ketones, this means direct ketone supplementation or indirect via supplements that have ketone precursors.

Exogenous ketones can be found as oral supplements. Ketogenic diets and exogenous ketones have many similarities but key differences when it comes to application.

Nutritional Ketosis

Clinicians and other medical practitioners are increasingly interested in the proposed performance and therapeutic benefits of nutritional ketosis. Nutritional ketosis is defined as a nutritionally induced metabolic state resulting in higher blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations. 

Body tissues readily metabolize ketone bodies. In turn, the ketone bodies regulate metabolism and signals in both a systemic and tissue-specific manner. During fasting, starvation, or undergoing a strict ketogenic dietary regimen, endogenous synthesis of ketone bodies is amplified resulting in a state of natural ketosis. 

Natural ketosis results in a number of potential benefits across health, disease, and performance.  Therefore, interest in how to produce the same effect with supplements, which don’t require the intense dietary regimen or fasting, is of interest. 

Consuming an exogenous ketone supplement will lead to a rapid increase in circulating ketone bodies, which produces a similar apparent metabolic state.  However, understanding if the ketosis produced by exogenous supplementation leads to the same health benefits as natural ketosis is under investigation. 

Ketogenic Diets & Natural Ketosis

Natural ketosis has long been used to manage convulsions. Texts from hundreds of years ago reference the anticonvulsant effects of fasting. Medical records from the 19th and 20th centuries describe ketogenic-type diets that benefit patients with metabolic disorders.  However, these diets are strict in their requirements and not considered pleasant by many people, as they can limit protein and many food choices.

A ketogenic diet can be defined as any diet that amplifies ketogenesis, not just the strict therapeutic ketogenic diets (KDs) found in the early 20th-century medical literature. There are now a number of defined ‘alternative’ keto diets like

• The medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet
• The Modified Atkins Diet
• The Low Glycemic Index Treatment Diet.

The approach of each diet induces a state of natural ketosis but is formulated with more liberal allowances of protein to appeal to more people. 

Interest in the performance of natural ketosis has rapidly expanded. Researchers continue to look at both natural ketosis and exogenous ketosis, as well as comparing the effects of each, for better understanding of how ketogenesis can be used in the clinic to promote health and performance. 

Research at Biofortis

Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health worldwide by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.

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There has been a long-standing interest in developing ingestible forms of ketone bodies that have recently led to the commercial availability of exogenous ketone supplements (EKS). EKS like ketone salts and esters facilitate nutritional ketosis. 

Studies have suggested the beneficial effects of EKS on endurance performance, and recovery. The potential benefits for athletic performance have been a key area of modern research.

Exogenous Ketone Supplements

Exogenous ketones refer to direct ketone supplementation or supplements that have ketone precursors. Exogenous ketones are sold as supplements. Ketogenic diets and exogenous ketones have many similarities but research is needed to ensure they have the same health and therapeutic outcome effects.

Achieving ketosis without supplements, i.e., through dietary changes, is called natural ketosis.  Natural ketosis takes prolonged periods of dieting or fasting, and the dietary changes are generally extreme.  This is why engaging in a dietary regimen to achieve natural ketosis should be done only under supervision by a medical and/or nutritional professional. 

Using supplements, or exogenous ketones, the achieve ketosis seeks to eliminate dietary restrictions, thereby helping the body achieve a state of ketosis without all the work.

Natural ketosis has shown potential for aiding such functions as athletic performance. Supplementation with ketones, if it provides the same benefits, would allow a quick way of achieving ketosis without major alterations in a person’s lifestyle.

Important Exogenous Ketone Information

Ketone bodies such as acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) have wide-ranging metabolic and molecular effects on organs including the brain, heart, and skeletal muscle. In particular, research data has suggested potential benefits to athletes in terms of performance and recovery.

Anecdotal reports and increased commercial availability of ingestible forms of exogenous ketone supplements have amplified interest in increased interest in human exercise studies to better understand and confirm the effects of ketone supplements on athletic performance.

However, most studies on exogenous supplements in various athletic contexts to date have failed to observe benefits to performance or recovery. Some evidence for an effect on biochemical mechanisms underlying performance function has been reported. Whether the changes lead to an actual observable clinical effect under the right conditions or with certain amounts of consumption remains to be seen. Future research on whether there are contexts in which exogenous ketone supplements are effective is greatly needed.

Research at Biofortis

Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health worldwide by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.

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Since that time, numerous studies have explored the metabolic influence of diet on aerobic and anaerobic performance to determine if major shifts in substrate metabolism translate to altered performance outcomes. 

Many modern-day dietary research studies have primarily focused on ketogenic diets and the effects they may have on aerobic athletic performance. The major issue with these lifestyle modifications, however, is the difficulty of maintenance or compliance with the dietary regimen.

What is Ketosis?

Ketosis is defined as elevated circulating levels of ketone bodies. Traditionally ketosis has been achieved through fasting or a ketogenic diet.

Bodily tissues readily metabolize ketone bodies. In turn, the ketone bodies regulate metabolism and generate local, tissue-specific, and systemic signals that can have other effects. In instances of fasting, starvation, or ketogenic diets, endogenous synthesis of ketone bodies is amplified resulting in a state of natural ketosis. 

Exogenous oral ketone supplements rapidly elevate circulating ketone bodies, with the intention to mimic a metabolic state similar to natural ketosis obtained via dietary changes. Ketosis has potential effects across health, disease, and performance, which are being actively studied.

Ketogenic Supplementation & Running

One of the most popular methods of exercise is running. Ketogenic diets have been used with running and other aerobic exercise regimens to assess if there is an effect on performance. Some evidence suggests an effect, although more research is needed.  Still, recent interest has arisen to develop ketone bodies that can be exogenously administered without dietary carbohydrate restriction.  

The emergence of commercially-available exogenous ketone supplements has led to many studies focused on the effect of these supplements on running performance. One recent study reported the effects of strict adherence to a ketone supplement program on people undergoing a 5 km run. Data showed no significant effect of the supplement when administered before or close to the run.

Achieving and maintaining a state of natural ketosis is extremely difficult without professional medical oversight and assistance. While ketone supplements may not be a ‘miracle drug’ when it comes to performance, longer-term studies need to be conducted, particularly on people who strictly adhere to ketone diets or supplement administration.

Research at Biofortis

Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health worldwide by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.

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