Study: Ketone Supplement May Be Therapeutic for Boosting Brain Function in Obesity

New research has found that ketone supplements may be a novel strategy for protecting and improving brain health in people with obesity, according to a study published in The Journal of Physiology.

Because those with obesity are known to be at a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases, this study found that giving a ketone supplement 3 times a day for 14 days improves blood flow to the brain and enhanced aspects of cognitive function, such as working memory and processing speed.

The researchers also demonstrated that ketone supplements may be a novel therapy for protecting and improving brain health in people with obesity who are at risk of developing neurocognitive impairment, according to the researchers.

Volunteers included adults with obesity who consumed either a ketone supplement or a taste-matched placebo supplement 3 times per day 15 minutes before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The participants were randomly assigned to take the supplement or the placebo for the first 14-day period before switching to the other condition for another 14-day period. All meals and snacks were provided by the researchers for both 14-day intervention periods.

Cognitive function was measured using validated tests via an iPad application and brain blood flow was measured using a duplex ultrasound of neck arteries. Following this, blood samples were taken to measure hormones that the study authors likened to fertilizer for the brain, helping neurons grow and improving cognitive function.

“Once validated with a larger group of people, we expect that these supplements can be used to protect and improve brain health in people with obesity,” said first study author Jeremy Walsh, MD, in the press release.

REFERENCE

Ketone supplement might be a novel therapeutic for boosting brain function in obesity. EurekAlert! October 4, 2021. Accessed October 5, 2021. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/930078