Exogenous Ketones
Episodes covering exogenous ketones — protocols, research, and expert discussions.
Supplemental ketone bodies (BHB salts or esters) that rapidly elevate blood ketones for cognitive enhancement, endurance performance, and metabolic benefits
Evidence-Based Take:
Exogenous ketones can rapidly elevate blood ketone levels without fasting or ketogenic dieting. There's legitimate research on cognitive effects, endurance performance, and therapeutic applications. However, they're expensive and effects are often modest.
What the Evidence Shows:
- Blood ketone elevation: Yes, rapid and reliable
- Cognitive enhancement: Some positive studies, especially in glucose-deprived states
- Endurance performance: Mixed results, may help in some contexts
- Appetite suppression: Yes, acute effect
- Therapeutic uses: Promising research for epilepsy, Alzheimer's, TBI
Honest Assessment:
Exogenous ketones work - they do raise blood ketones and provide an alternative fuel source. Whether this translates to meaningful benefits depends on context. Most useful for: cognitive work during fasting, endurance events, therapeutic applications. Less useful as a general supplement or weight loss shortcut.
Science & Mechanisms
What Are Ketones?
Ketone bodies are produced by the liver when glucose is scarce: - Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) - primary ketone, most supplements use this - Acetoacetate - Acetone
Normal Ketosis:
- Fasting: 0.5-3 mM blood BHB
- Ketogenic diet: 1-5 mM
- Prolonged fasting: 5-8 mM
Exogenous Ketones:
Bypass the need for fasting/keto diet - directly consume ketones: - Ketone salts: BHB bound to sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium - Ketone esters: BHB bound to butanediol (more potent, worse taste) - MCT oil: Precursor, converted to ketones (slower, less direct)
Why Ketones as Fuel:
- Brain readily uses ketones (crosses blood-brain barrier)
- More efficient fuel than glucose in some contexts
- May reduce oxidative stress
- Provides energy without insulin spike
Research Areas:
- Cognitive: Improved focus, especially when fasted
- Endurance: Glycogen sparing, potential "fourth fuel"
- Appetite: BHB suppresses ghrelin (hunger hormone)
- Therapeutic: Epilepsy (established), Alzheimer's (emerging), TBI (promising)
The Dom D'Agostino Research:
Dr. Dominic D'Agostino (USF) has extensively studied ketones for: - Navy SEALs (oxygen toxicity prevention) - Cancer metabolism - Neurological protection
Episodes
Exogenous ketones deliver calm, focused energy by mimicking the brain effects of HIIT. Includes specific dosing for ubiquinol, berberine, alpha-lipoic acid, and vitamin K2, plus...
Ketones are more than fuel—they're signaling molecules that spare muscle, reduce oxidative stress, and may benefit epilepsy and cancer. Covers the practical differences between ...
Dr. Eric Verdin discusses ketogenic diet effects on longevity, beta-hydroxybutyrate as a signaling molecule, and the science behind ketosis for healthspan extension.
The 6x10 protocol (6 sets of 10 reps with controlled rest) reliably boosts testosterone through training. Time your cold exposure strategically - it helps recovery but can blunt...
In this live-recorded fireside chat from A Boundless Evening at HUME Los Angeles, actor Luke Cook (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2) sits down with...
True autophagy requires about 5 days of water fasting to cut IGF-1 by 50%, but fasting-mimicking compounds like resveratrol and spermidine can trigger similar pathways. Exercisi...
Dr. Chris Palmer discusses how different dietary approaches impact physical and mental health, including metabolic psychiatry concepts.
HVMN founder Michael Brandt explains how exogenous ketones work as a fourth macronutrient alongside carbs, fats, and protein, offering endurance athletes a parallel energy pathw...
Leanne Vogel shares her updated perspective on exogenous ketones after years of personal use. She discusses how exogenous ketones can benefit people regardless of whether they f...
HVMN research lead Dr. Latt Mansor, who holds a PhD in physiology from Oxford, joins Dr. Anthony Gustin to discuss the latest science on exogenous ketones. They trace the evolut...
Dr. Latt Mansor, HVMN's research lead with an Oxford PhD in physiology, joins the Singletrack podcast for a deep dive into exogenous ketone protocols for ultra trail running. He...
Carl Franklin and Richard Morris, two software developers who reversed their type 2 diabetes through ketogenic diets, break down the science and marketing claims around exogenou...
Leanne Vogel reconsiders her earlier stance against exogenous ketones after meeting dozens of users on her book tour who reported significant benefits. She identifies the ideal ...
Leanne Vogel interviews Tiffany Summit about her family's experience combining exogenous ketones with a ketogenic diet, particularly for managing her husband's type 2 diabetes. ...
Software developers Carl Franklin and Richard Morris, both of whom reversed type 2 diabetes through ketogenic diets, examine the science behind exogenous ketone supplements in t...