This study investigated the impact of raising plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB) through ingestion of ketone salts on substrate oxidation and performance during cycling exercise. Ten healthy adult males (age, 23 ± 3 years; body mass index, 25 ± 3 kg/m, peak oxygen uptake, 45 ± 10 mL/(kg·min)) were recruited to complete 2 experimental trials. Before enrollment in the experimental conditions, baseline anthropometrics and cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake) were assessed and familiarization to the study protocol was provided. On experimental days, participants reported to the laboratory in the fasted state and consumed either 0.3 g/kg β-OHB ketone salts or a flavour-matched placebo at 30 min prior to engaging in cycling exercise. Subjects completed steady-state exercise at 30%, 60%, and 90% ventilatory threshold (VT) followed by a 150-kJ cycling time-trial. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and total substrate oxidation were derived from indirect calorimetry. Plasma glucose, lactate, and ketones were measured at baseline, 30 min post-supplement, post-steady-state exercise, and immediately following the time-trial. Plasma β-OHB was elevated from baseline and throughout the entire protocol in the ketone condition (p < 0.05). RER was lower at 30% and 60% VT in the ketone compared with control condition. Total fat oxidation was greater in the ketone versus control (p = 0.05). Average time-trial power output was ∼7% lower (-16 W, p = 0.029) in the ketone condition. Ingestion of ketone salts prior to exercise increases fat oxidation during steady-state exercise but impairs high-intensity exercise performance.

Introduction Counteracting impaired brain glucose metabolism with ketones may improve cognition in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods Cognition, plasma ketone response, and metabolic profile were assessed before and 6 months after supplementation with a ketogenic drink containing medium chain triglyceride (ketogenic medium chain triglyceride [kMCT]; 15 g twice/day; n = 39) or placebo (n = 44). Results Free and cued recall (Trial 1; P = .047), verbal fluency (categories; P = .024), Boston Naming Test (total correct answers; P = .033), and the Trail‐Making Test (total errors; P = .017) improved significantly in the kMCT group compared to placebo (analysis of covariance; pre‐intervention score, sex, age, education, and apolipoprotein E4 as covariates). Some cognitive outcomes also correlated positively with plasma ketones. Plasma metabolic profile and ketone response were unchanged. Conclusions This kMCT drink improved cognitive outcomes in MCI, at least in part by increasing blood ketone level. These data support further assessment of MCI progression to Alzheimer's disease.

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Lowering carbohydrate consumption effectively lowers glucose, but impacts on inflammation are unclear. The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine whether reducing hyperglycemia by following a low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LC) diet could lower markers of innate immune cell activation in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and 2) examine if the combination of an LC diet with strategically timed postmeal walking was superior to an LC diet alone. Participants with T2D ( n = 11) completed a randomized crossover study involving three 4-day diet interventions: 1) low-fat low-glycemic index (GL), 2) and 3) LC with 15-min postmeal walks (LC+Ex). Four-day mean glucose was significantly lower in the LC+Ex group as compared with LC (−5%, P < 0.05), whereas both LC+Ex (−16%, P < 0.001) and LC (−12%, P < 0.001) conditions were lower than GL. A significant main effect of time was observed for peripheral blood mononuclear cells phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase ( P < 0.001), with decreases in all three conditions (GL: −32%, LC: −45%, and LC+Ex: −44%). A significant condition by time interaction was observed for monocyte microparticles ( P = 0.040) with a significant decrease in GL (−76%, P = 0.035) and a tendency for a reduction in LC (−70%, P = 0.064), whereas there was no significant change in LC+Ex (0.5%, P = 0.990). Both LC (−27%, P = 0.001) and LC+Ex (−35%, P = 0.005) also led to significant reductions in circulating proinsulin. An LC diet improved 4-day glycemic control and fasting proinsulin levels when compared with GL, with added glucose-lowering benefits when LC was combined with postmeal walking.