Potential Synergies ofβ-Hydroxybutyrate and Butyrate on the Modulation of Metabolism, Inflammation, Cognition, and General Health

Abstract

The low-carbohydrate high-fat diet (LCHFD), also known as the ketogenic diet, has cycled in and out of popularity for decades as a therapeutic program to treat metabolic syndrome, weight mismanagement, and drug-resistant disorders as complex as epilepsy, cancer, dementia, and depression. Despite the benefits of this diet, health care professionals still question its safety due to the elevated serum ketones it induces and the limited dietary fiber. To compound the controversy, patient compliance with the program is poor due to the restrictive nature of the diet and symptoms related to energy deficit and gastrointestinal adversity during the introductory and energy substrate transition phase of the diet. The studies presented here demonstrate safety and efficacy of the diet including the scientific support and rationale for the administration of exogenous ketone bodies and ketone sources as a complement to the restrictive dietary protocol or as an alternative to the diet. This review also highlights the synergy provided by exogenous ketone, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), accompanied by the short chain fatty acid, butyrate (BA) in the context of cellular and physiological outcomes. More work is needed to unveil the molecular mechanisms by which this program provides health benefits.

Gut Microbiota in Acute Ischemic Stroke: From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Implications

“…Moreover, antibiotic treatment has been found to reduce TMAO generation, whereas, discontinuation of antibiotics caused an increase in TMAO levels (84). High-fat diets such as the ketogenic diet [commonly used for its antiseizure properties by increasing serum ketones and reducing neuronal apoptosis (107)] have also been found to increase TMAO concentration in humans (108), whereas the Mediterranean diet and vegetarian diets reduced TMAO production (94). The Mediterranean diet has been widely investigated in recent decades for its potential health benefits.…”

Effect of A Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet on Food and Alcohol Cravings, Physical and Sexual Activity, Sleep Disturbances, and Quality of Life in Obese Patients

“…However, it was evidenced that a VLCK diet is safe because it does not modify the acid-base equilibrium [ 18 ]. In fact, it has been proposed that the ketone body, β-hydroxy-butyrate (β-OHB) has several beneficial effects on metabolism [ 19 ] and psychological functions [ 20 , 21 ]. Nevertheless, a scarcity of studies has evaluated the effect of a VLCK diet combined with physical activity, on potential improvement in the psychological conditions and well-being of treated overweight/obese patients.…”

Rain on Generative Seas

“…A thorough discussion of the present physics of wind and wave interactions is in Cavaleri et al (2018). Basically, we claim the crucial role of the very high tail of the spectrum, the one establishing the "roughness" of the sea, in modulating how the atmosphere and the ocean dynamically interact.…”

“…Later counting of the white-caps is fully consistent with the above description. A full documentation of the event is given by Cavaleri et al (2018).…”