Ketones are considered the body’s most energy-efficient fuel source, releasing large amounts of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), often referred to as “life’s energy currency.” The human body can not only produce ketone bodies during fasting or very low-carb, high-fat dieting but also obtain them from exogenous ketone supplements.
Exogenous ketones help amplify many of the positive effects of the ketogenic diet. Also reduces “keto flu” symptoms like fatigue and brain fog.
What Are Exogenous Ketones?
The liver naturally produces endogenous ketones during the metabolic state of ketosis. On the other hand, exogenous ketones are provided by supplements that mimic the effects of the ketones your body naturally produces under certain conditions. Ketones are defined as intermediate products of fat breakdown in the body.
The body produces three types of ketones.
- Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) – accounts for approximately 78% of total ketones in the blood.
- Acetoacetate (AcAc) – accounts for approximately 20% of ketones in the blood.
- Acetone – makes up only 2% of the ketones in the blood.
BHB is the most abundant ketone that can be produced. When our diet lacks almost all carbohydrates, it helps provide most of the energy. While there are three types of ketone bodies, the ketones found in exogenous ketone supplements are usually only or mostly BHB.
Types of Exogenous Ketones: Ketone Salts And Ketone Esters
BHB Powder
Ketone salts, sometimes called BHB salts, are ketones bound to minerals. It includes BHB Na, BHB Ca, BHB Mg, and BHB Potassium. The minerals in keto salts can help reduce the side effects of keto, such as muscle weakness and digestive issues. Ketone salts are typically used in powdered keto products, which contain combined BHB, sodium, and other ingredients.
ketone Esters
Ketone esters were originally developed for the U.S. Army to improve performance and concentration and reduce inflammation. Its CAS number is 1208313-97-6, with the chemical formula of C8H16O4 and a molecular weight of 176.21024 g/mol. It is basically “ketogenic” and is rapidly metabolized into BHB. This type is not widely available to most consumers but is commonly used for research.
For example, in rats fed a diet in which 30% of calories from starch were replaced by ketone esters, blood glucose dropped by about 50% from 5 mM to 2.8 mM, while insulin dropped from 0.54 ng/ml to 0.26 ng/ml (20). Rat plasma leptin decreased from 3.12 ng/ml to 1.83 ng/ml when isocalorically replacing starch with ketone esters. The ability of ketone body metabolism to improve insulin sensitivity has been previously demonstrated in working perfused rat hearts.
In addition, studies have shown that dietary ketone esters normalize abnormal behaviors in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.
While esters have the benefit of quickly raising blood ketone levels and are generally considered safe by the FDA, they are also notorious for tasting terrible and causing unpleasant digestive issues. Therefore, the ketone ester dosage in the product needs to be adapted to the intake acceptable to the human body.
Currently, this ingredient is mostly used in beverage products because ketone ester powder is not currently available on the market. Mainly sold in liquid form.
Exogenous Ketones VS MCT Oil
Ketone oils, which can include MCT oil (medium chain triglycerides). MCT oil is used to promote ketone body production and help burn fat. They can also support training, athletic performance, and the growth of lean muscle mass. Coconut oil also contains medium-chain triglycerides, but MCT oil is a more concentrated source. MCTs must be broken down before they can be used for energy, making them slightly less effective than ketone salts or esters. But cost-wise, MCT oil has advantages over exogenous ketones because it tends to be cheaper than many exogenous ketone supplements.
All in all, beta-hydroxybutyrate is the most active type of ketone body. Your tissues can use it for energy, so most exogenous ketone supplements are designed to increase ketone bodies. Ketones can be taken in various forms, including powder, liquid, oil, capsules, etc.
Conclusion
Exogenous ketones are ketone supplements that come from outside the body. It mimics the effects of the ketones our bodies naturally produce in certain situations, including following a keto diet or fasting. It aids in the transition into ketosis, helps maintain ketosis, reduces keto flu symptoms and more energy, enhances physical performance and recovery, and improves cognitive and mental health. Three main types of ketone supplements are ketone salts/BHB salts, ketone esters, and ketone oils. It comes in many forms – liquid, oil, capsule, extract, or powder mix.
Who Is The Exogenous Ketones Ingredients Supplier?
Increasing concern about the metabolic state of ketosis has driven the development of exogenous ketone products to induce ketosis without dietary changes. As a professional raw ingredients supplier, Nutri Avenue offers Ketone BHB salt powder, including BHB Na, BHB Ca, BHB Mg powder, Ketone ester liquid form, MCT Oil, etc. High-quality raw materials can help ketone supplements work better and be loved by consumers.
