Tip The Truth About Exogenous Ketones Search Skip to content Menu Menu follow us Store Articles Community Loyal-T Club Loyal-T Points Rewards Subscribe to Save Search Search The World s Trusted Source & Community for Elite Fitness Eating Tip The Truth About Exogenous Ketones Sorry keto crowd science doesn' t substantiate the hype by Dr Jade Teta October 2, 2019April 5, 2021 Tags Carb Control, Nutrition & Supplements Exogenous ketones – waste of money or worth it for some? I guess it depends on why you're using them. Right now, they're relatively new on the scene. There's only very slight evidence they're having an impact on performance enhancement, and very little (if any) evidence they're aiding fat loss. Science is notoriously slow with answering these questions and that's frustrating for all of us, especially when it means the overzealous people of anecdotes fill the void. Add an MLM (multi-level marketing) component to it and you have a big mess of novelty bias, research gap, bioscience, and monetary motivation to contend with. I will say this: If you're using the keto diet to lose weight, the use of exogenous ketones does NOT make much sense. If you eat the ketones, your body sees no need to make its own ketones. You may still be in ketosis on your ketometer, but are those ketones you're making from your own fat stores or from the stuff you just drank? Where they may have some utility is getting into ketosis faster, exercising under ketogenic conditions, and experiencing satiation. We know that protein is THE most satiating macronutrient. Some evidence suggests once the body starts making ketones they're on a par with protein in satiating potential. Exogenous ketones may play a role in controlling SHMEC (sleep, hunger, mood, energy, cravings) in that all-important three days to get into ketosis. I call that the AKZ (the Almost Keto Zone). Most people who try keto can never get past these three miserable days and therefore end up getting fatter. They cut carbs and then binge within three days and repeat that cycle again and again. So, I think there are some possible beneficial areas to explore the use of exogenous ketones, but right now the science doesn't substantiate the hype. It's also useful to note that the ketosalts widely available currently have shown less potential in research compared to the ketone esters which, if I am not mistaken, are not available commercially. Get The T Nation Newsletters Don' t Miss Out Expert Insights To Get Stronger, Gain Muscle Faster, And Take Your Lifting To The Next Level related posts Eating Seven Things You Need to Know About Fats Dr. Lonnie Lowery fills your noggin with the latest dietary fat research, including what fats you should be eating to gain muscle and lose that belly! Good Fats, Nutrition & Supplements, Omega-3 Fatty Acids Chris Shugart December 31 Eating Prescription Fish Oils Boon or Boondoggle The pharmaceutical industry makes a pretty good case for prescription fish oils... at least until you start to dig a bit. Good Fats, Nutrition & Supplements TC Luoma August 31 Eating Tip The Healthiest Coffee to Drink We know now that coffee can be a health food. But what kind of coffee? Here's the science. Diet Strategy, Feeding the Ideal Body, Nutrition & Supplements, Tips Chris Shugart July 22 Diet & Fat Loss Tip You re Still Too Fat Don't worry, I was too. What I needed was some tough love. Here's what worked for me. Bodybuilding, Losing Fat, Nutrition & Supplements, Tips Paul Carter December 19