The Effects of Exogenous Ketones on Glucose Tolerance

University of British Columbia20 enrolled

Overview

The ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate is produced during prolonged fasting or when endogenous carbohydrate stores are depleted and can be used as an alternative fuel source. Exogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate, in the form of a ketone monoester, is proposed to have glucose-lowering potential but this has not been adequately studied. The purpose of this study is to determine whether supplementing with an acute dose of ketone monoester can improve the glycemic response to a high carbohydrate mixed meal in young healthy individuals.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Dietary Supplement: Ketone Supplement Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Interventions

Ketone monoesterDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Acute ingestion of (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate prior a 2-hour high carbohydrate mixed meal tolerance test.

PlaceboDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Acute ingestion of a taste-matched placebo prior a 2-hour high carbohydrate mixed meal tolerance test.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 35 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Young healthy individuals * Not taking any medications affecting glucose metabolism Exclusion Criteria: * Competitive endurance athlete (i.e., train specifically for cycling, triathlon or distance running and compete at a high level) * Diagnosed with the chronic medical condition that may impact consumption of carbohydrates or supplements (e.g., diabetes, heart disease) * Are currently using medications that may interfere with insulin sensitivity * Adhere to a strict high-fat low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diet (within the last 3 months) * Are currently using ketone supplements * Unable to travel to and from the university in order to make your testing appointments. * Unable to follow the controlled diet instructions required for the study. * If pregnant or are planning to become pregnant during the study (if female)

Locations (1)

University of British Columbia, Okanagan

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Glucose area under the curve

Area under the curve for glucose during high carbohydrate mixed meal tolerance test

Time frame: 2-hour

Secondary Outcomes

Insulin area under the curve

Insulin area under the curve during high carbohydrate mixed meal tolerance test

Time frame: 2-hour

Free fatty acids area under the curve

Non-esterified fatty acids area under the curve during high carbohydrate mixed meal tolerance test

Time frame: 2-hour

Glucose incremental area under the curve

Incremental area under the curve (above baseline) for glucose during high carbohydrate mixed meal tolerance test

Time frame: 2-hour

Insulin incremental area under the curve

Incremental area under the curve (above baseline) for insulin during high carbohydrate mixed meal tolerance test

Time frame: 2-hour

2-hr glucose level

Plasma glucose assessed 2-hr after high carbohydrate mixed meal tolerance test

Time frame: 2-hour

Beta-hydroxybutyrate level

Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration assessed by handheld monitor

Time frame: 2-hour

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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