Ketone supplement might be a novel therapeutic for boosting brain
function in obesity

Date:
October 5, 2021
Source:
The Physiological Society
Summary:
New research has shown that ketone supplements may be a novel
therapeutic strategy for protecting and improving brain health in
people with obesity.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
New research published in The Journal of Physiology has shown that
ketone supplements may be a novel therapeutic strategy for protecting
and improving brain health in people with obesity.


========================================================================== People with obesity are known to be at a higher risk of developing
cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases.

This new study found that giving a ketone supplement three times a day
for 14 days enhanced blood flow to the brain and improved aspects of
cognitive function, like working memory and processing speed, in adults
with obesity.

Supplements specifically containing the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate
(B- OHB) that are safe for human consumption are relatively new and
have mostly been investigated for physical performance (in sports and
military settings).

It has previously been shown that ketone supplements are beneficial for
older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

In this study, the researchers have extended these findings by
demonstrating that ketone supplements may be a novel therapeutic strategy
for protecting and improving brain health in people with obesity, who
are at risk of developing neurocognitive impairment.



========================================================================== Adults with obesity volunteered to consume either a ketone supplement
or a taste-matched placebo supplement three times per day, 15 minutes
before each meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

The study was what is called a randomised placebo-controlled crossover
study- in other words, the participants were randomly assigned to take the supplement or the placebo for the first 14-day period, and they were then switched to the other condition for another 14-day period. This allows researchers to compare responses to the supplement versus a placebo in
the same participants.

The researchers provided participants all meals and snacks for both
14-day intervention periods.

They measured cognitive function using validated tests via an application
on an iPad, and measured brain blood flow using what's called a duplex ultrasound of the extra-cranial (neck) arteries.

They also took blood samples to measure hormones that are like fertiliser
for the brain, helping neurons grow and improving cognitive functions.

Dr Jeremy Walsh, first author on the study said: "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." The study
was conducted at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan Campus
and was funded by a Grant-in-Aid from the Heart and Stroke Foundation
of Canada. Authors received support from the Michael Smith Foundation
for Health Research during the conduct of the research.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by The_Physiological_Society. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Jeremy J. Walsh, Hannah G. Caldwell, Helena Neudorf, Philip
N. Ainslie,
Jonathan P. Little. Short-term ketone monoester supplementation
improves cerebral blood flow and cognition in obesity: A randomized
cross-over trial. The Journal of Physiology, Oct. 4, 2021; DOI:
10.1113/JP281988 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211005101908.htm

--- up 4 weeks, 5 days, 8 hours, 25 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)