Effect of Exogenous Ketones as an Adjunct to Low-Calorie Diet on Metabolic Markers.

Body mass decreased in both groups over the 8-week intervention.

• 51 overweight and obese adults were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
• Body mass decreased within the placebo group (p < 0.01) and within the BHB group (p < 0.001)
• Both groups were on a hypocaloric diet alongside either racemic BHB mineral salts or placebo (maltodextrin) twice daily
• The intervention duration was 8 weeks

Within the BHB group, fat mass decreased significantly compared to baseline.

• Fat mass decreased by approximately 2 kg within the BHB group (p < 0.05 vs. baseline)
• Body fat percentage improved within the BHB group (p < 0.01 vs. baseline)
• Lean-to-fat mass ratio increased within the BHB group (p < 0.05 vs. baseline)
• No significant changes in fat mass, body fat percentage, or lean-to-fat mass ratio were observed within the placebo group
• Group × time interactions were not significant for these body composition variables (p > 0.05)

Lean mass was largely preserved in the BHB group with no declines in resting metabolic rate.

• Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was assessed via indirect calorimetry at baseline and week 8
• No declines in RMR were observed within the BHB group
• Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
• Lean mass preservation was noted as a within-group finding in the BHB group

LDL cholesterol was reduced within the BHB group over the intervention period.

• LDL cholesterol was reduced in the BHB group (p < 0.05 vs. baseline)
• Other lipid markers remained stable within the BHB group
• HOMA-IR and uric acid remained stable in the BHB group
• Liver enzymes showed a positive change within the BHB group

The study design was an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial using racemic BHB mineral salts versus maltodextrin placebo.

• 51 adults with overweight or obesity were enrolled and randomized
• Participants received either racemic beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) mineral salts or placebo (maltodextrin) twice daily
• All participants followed a modest caloric restriction (hypocaloric diet)
• Assessments included DXA for body composition, indirect calorimetry for RMR, and venous blood analyses for cardiometabolic biomarkers including lipids, HOMA-IR, uric acid, and liver enzymes

Caloric restriction in overweight and obese individuals often leads to undesirable lean mass loss alongside fat reduction.

• The study was motivated by the problem that caloric restriction leads to loss of both fat and lean mass
• Overweight and obesity affect a majority of adults and contribute to metabolic disorders
• The study investigated whether exogenous BHB could preferentially reduce fat mass while preserving lean mass as an adjunct to hypocaloric diet