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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Researchers used caloric restrictions and aerobic exercise to observe the effects on study participants with CKD and obesity.

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

CKD is a disease in which the kidneys gradually lose function over a period of time (months to years, depending on the individual case). A study conducted in 2016 noted that over 750 million people worldwide suffer from CKD.

While CKD doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms early on, the progression of the disease can lead to:

• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• High blood pressure
• Weight loss
• Anemia
• Sexual dysfunction

Most CKD cases are diagnosed from general screening tests, as patients don’t often notice the early stages.

There is currently no cure for CKD. Many different CKD management plans exist consisting of exercise, dietary changes, medication, and specific medical procedures.

What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease?

Many different comorbid conditions can cause CKD, but 3 stand out:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Preexisting kidney conditions

All 3 of these conditions are also associated with obesity, which makes the study this article focuses on an important part of discovering more about CKD.

Research on CKD, Diets, & Exercise

The NIH study consisted of 122 participants who suffer from CKD. 111 of the participants were randomized to receive caloric restriction and aerobic exercise, caloric restriction alone, aerobic exercise alone, or usual care. 

The genders of participants were 42% women and 58% men. 25% of participants were diabetic and 91% were hypertensive. 104 started the intervention, and 92 completed the 4-month study. The average age of the participants was 60 years.

CKD Diets & Exercise Results

The participants who completed the study exhibited decreased body weight, which was most pronounced in those who had caloric restrictions. BMI and waist circumference were also down on average.

Data from the study revealed that diet had the biggest influence on participant weight loss. Exercise and dietary changes combined had marginally larger positive effects on weight than diet alone. Dietary changes alone, however, made a much more significant difference than exercise alone.

While the study noted the overall health of participants improved, there was no notable effect on CKD. The researchers were still pleased with the data from the study as it gives insight into how healthier lifestyles can affect those who are at risk for CKD. More research is needed to look at how diets & exercise affect CKD when paired with medication or medical procedures.

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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