Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) mineral salts and / or beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHB)
free acid in combination with 1,3-
butanediol (1,3-BD) were used to induce
ketosis, achieving blood
ketone levels of (2-7 mmol / L), with or without dietary restriction. A combination of the ketogenic compounds, βHB acid and / or βHB salt in together with 1,3BD was more than additive. What has been unknown until now, and what was unexpected is that the specific combination of the partially buffered βHB
free acid, (created as a mixture of βHB
free acid and βHB salt), together with 1,3-BD in a particular combination is far more than additive. When used together this mixture raises serum levels far higher, up to 70% higher, than would be expected by using 1,3BD together with βHB salt and / or BHB acid. The
synergistic combination is 5 times more powerful at raising serum βHB than the enantiomerically pure acid or salt alone and 1.23 times more powerful than the corresponding enantiomerically pure ester compounded from βHB and 1,3-BD. Given the far higher
potency, it is now possible to deliver a suitably buffered formulation orally or intravenously in order to achieve a variety of therapeutic benefits without exceeding unsafe salt loads which have in the past, prevented the widespread use of
ketone salt and acid. The concurrent co-administration of these compounds is useful to improve metabolic health, cognitive performance,
physical performance, enhance
disease prevention, mitigate the damage of
Ischemia Reperfusion Injury and provide a fuel substrate that is not affected by glucose impairment associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
Elevated serum ketones have demonstrated to improve the cognitive function in persons suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases by providing fuel starved neurons a direct source of fuel, that unlike glucose, is not effected by the glucose and pyruvate
dehydrogenase impairments described extensively in the brains of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. This invention results in rapid keto
adaptation, which is useful for the avoidance of glucose withdrawal symptoms or “keto flu” commonly experienced by individuals initiating a
ketogenic diet. It also minimizes the loss of
lean body mass during dietary restriction and does not adversely
impact lipid profiles.