The subject disclosure provides compositions for reducing
serum cholesterol and / or
triglyceride levels in subjects. These compositions can comprise racemic β-hydroxybutyrate or D-β-hydroxybutyrate, optionally in the acid form, physiologically compatible salts of racemic β-hydroxybutyrate or D-β-hydroxybutyrate, esters of D-β-hydroxybutyrate, oligomers of D-β-hydroxybutyrate containing from 2 to 20 or more monomeric units in either linear or cyclic form, racemic 1,3 butandiol or R-1,3 butandiol alone and can be, optionally, administered in conjunction with a low
fat diet to a subject. Alternatively, compositions comprising racemic β-hydroxybutyrate or D-β-hydroxybutyrate, optionally in the acid form, physiologically compatible salts of racemic β-hydroxybutyrate or D-β-hydroxybutyrate, esters of D-β-hydroxybutyrate, oligomers of D-β-hydroxybutyrate containing from 2 to 20 or more monomeric units in either linear or cyclic form, racemic 1,3 butandiol, R-1,3 butandiol or combinations thereof can be formulated as nutritional supplements (also referred to as nutritional compositions) or incorporated into therapeutic compositions containing a) anti-hypertensive agents; b) anti-inflammatory agents; c)
glucose lowering agents; or d) anti-lipemic agents) which are administered to a subject, optionally in combination with a low
fat diet, in order to cause a reduction or lowering of:
serum cholesterol levels;
triglyceride levels;
serum glucose levels, serum
homocysteine levels, inflammatory proteins (e.g.,
C reactive protein) and / or hypertension in treated subjects. Alternatively, compositions disclosed herein can be administered alone, or in combination with other therapeutic agents to prevent or reverse
vascular disease.