BHB Hydrogel Compounds for Palatable, Sustained Ketosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ketogenic supplements, such as BHB salts and ketone esters, face limitations due to palatability issues, rapid absorption, and mineral overload, making them impractical for widespread use in inducing nutritional ketosis.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel compounds comprising β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) and a weakly basic polymer that form a hydrogel matrix, which traps BHB and additional ketogenic precursors, neutralizing taste and preventing polymer absorption, allowing for sustained ketosis without mineral overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If BHB salts (sodium, calcium, potassium salts) are used to improve palatability and regulate absorption, then palatability is improved, but mineral overload occurs due to exceeding recommended daily allowances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an organic cation as an intermediary substance to replace mineral cations (sodium, calcium, potassium) in BHB salt formulations. This organic cation mediates the interaction between BHB and the body, providing the desired palatability and absorption regulation without introducing harmful mineral overload. The organic cation acts as a bridge that maintains the beneficial effects of BHB salts while eliminating their harmful mineral content.
2Duration of action of moving object
If ketone esters are used to regulate absorption of BHB, then absorption is regulated, but palatability remains restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ketone supplement by using BHB salts with organic cations instead of ketone esters. This parameter change maintains regulated absorption rates while significantly improving palatability. The organic cation formulation allows for better taste profiles and consumer acceptance compared to ketone esters, while still providing controlled release and absorption of BHB.
3Quantity of substance
If classical ketogenic diet is used to induce ketosis, then ketone bodies are elevated, but severe dietary restriction and poor compliance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential therapeutic effect of the ketogenic diet (elevated ketone bodies) and separates it from the problematic dietary restrictions. By providing exogenous BHB in salt form with organic cations, the patent delivers ketone bodies directly without requiring adherence to a strict ketogenic diet. This extraction approach isolates the beneficial metabolic effect from the harmful compliance burden, allowing patients to achieve therapeutic ketosis through supplementation rather than dietary restriction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compounds provide a palatable and effective means to elevate ketone bodies in the bloodstream, enhancing physical and cognitive performance while minimizing side effects, and are suitable for treating various medical conditions.
Implementation Method 1
when dissolved in water, forms a hydrogel-matrix that provides many advantages: (1) repulsive taste of BHB is neutralized, (2) additional ketogenic precursors can be incorporated in the matrix forming a hydrogen-bonding network that keeps neutralizing the repulsive taste of such precursor
Implementation Method 2
additional ketogenic precursors can be incorporated in the matrix forming a hydrogen-bonding network that keeps neutralizing the repulsive taste of such precursor
Implementation Method 3
the hydrogel-matrix is able to absorb and/or incorporate additional ketogenic precursors, such as additional BHB, including dimers, trimers, tetramers and oligomers of BHB, polymers of BHB, 1,3-butanediol and/or acetoacetic acid or esters thereof, into the matrix
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to compounds comprising as β-hydroxybutyric acid, and a weakly basic polymer. The disclosure also includes methods for inducing nutritional ketosis comprising administering the compounds or compositions to a mammal in need thereof.