Exogenous Ketones with Dr. Ben Bikman

In this episode of The Metabolic Classroom, Dr. Bikman explores the history, science, and benefits of ketones, focusing on exogenous ketones.
He begins by explaining the fundamental chemistry of ketones, emphasizing the difference between endogenous (produced within the body) and exogenous (introduced from outside the body) ketones. The three main ketones discussed are acetoacetate, which can convert to either acetone (excreted from the body) or beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), the primary ketone measured in metabolic assessments. Ketosis, the state of elevated ketone production, is typically inhibited by high insulin levels, which direct metabolic processes away from ketogenesis towards lipogenesis (fat creation).
Ben highlights the significant benefits of ketones for brain health. He disputes the common belief that glucose is the brain’s preferred fuel, citing research by Dr. George Cahill that indicates the brain relies heavily on ketones during fasting. Ketones have been shown to improve cognitive function, reduce oxidative stress, and alleviate symptoms of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and epilepsy. Beyond brain health, ketones enhance physical performance by increasing ATP production efficiency in muscle cells and boosting metabolic rates in fat tissues, thus promoting fat loss.
The classroom also addresses the evolution and advantages of exogenous ketones. Early forms of exogenous ketones, like ketone salts, had limitations such as mineral imbalance and poor taste. Advances led to the development of ketone esters and bioidentical BHB, which are more effective and palatable. Exogenous ketones can help control appetite, reduce inflammation, and improve exercise performance. Despite initial concerns about their potential to be converted back into fat, Professor Bikman clarifies that this is not a risk, as the liver cannot reverse ketone production into fat.
Overall, Dr. Bikman emphasizes that while ketones themselves offer numerous metabolic benefits, the primary advantage of a ketogenic state is maintaining low insulin levels, which supports fat burning and overall metabolic health. He encourages the use of exogenous ketones to enhance these benefits, particularly for managing cravings, improving physical performance, and supporting cognitive function.
00:01 - Introduction to Ketones
01:58 - Types of Ketones - Explanation of the three main types of ketones: acetoacetate, acetone, and beta-hydroxybutyrate.
02:58 - Ketones and Blood Acidity - Discussion on how ketones can affect blood acidity and the distinction between ketosis and ketoacidosis.
04:04 - Insulin's Role in Ketone Production - How insulin levels determine whether the body produces fat or ketones from acetyl-CoA.
07:23 - Benefits of Low Insulin Levels - Overview of the metabolic benefits of low insulin levels, including improved fat burning and metabolic health.
08:19 - Ketones and Brain Health - The positive effects of ketones on brain function and cognitive health, debunking the myth that glucose is the brain's preferred fuel.
13:33 - Ketones and Physical Performance - Evidence that ketones improve physical performance and energy efficiency in muscle cells.
17:31 - Anti-inflammatory Effects of Ketones - Ketones’ role in inhibiting inflammation and their benefits for inflammatory disorders.
#Ketones #Ketosis #ExogenousKetones #MetabolicHealth #InsulinResistance #BrainHealth #CognitiveFunction #WeightLoss #FatBurning #KetogenicDiet #LowCarb #Inflammation #Type2Diabetes #PhysicalPerformance #benbikman
Studies Referenced:
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s (Cunnane et al., 2016): alzres.biomedcentral.com/arti...
Ketones Elicit Distinct Alterations in Adipose Mitochondrial Bioenergetics: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32872...
Ketogenic Diet Reduces Midlife Mortality and Improves Memory in Aging Mice: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28877...
The Effects of Ketogenic Diet on Insulin Sensitivity and Weight Loss, Which Came First: The Chicken or the Egg?: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37513...
Learn more: www.insuliniq.com

[@YetAnotherCarnivore]

As a construction worker, I learn something from every one of your videos. I just wish your field of science and your knowledge of it would be a textbook that all doctors would have to learn from before they can practice medicine.

[@Petunia-fl9lu]

they are supposed to refer to the specialists - hence they are generalists for that reason. they are meant to refer to dieticians if needed or endocrinologists if needed both who (should) have done biochemistry. its wonderful to be educated by someone who knows what they are talking about though. grateful as well.

[@cassieoz1702]

​​@Petunia-fl9lu dieticians are a big part of the problem it's also important to realise how much of this stuff is pretty recent understanding

[@curlyq9901]

Amen!

[@beNETiq_ru]

Learning that we get sick because of eating, yeah

[@YetAnotherCarnivore]

​@Petunia-fl9lu yes, but like a general contractor in construction, they have to know how all of the subtractors (specialists) work is supposed be done to identify if they are providing the owner (patient) a quality job ( fixing the underlying problem or diseases). In stead the medical system operates backasswards. The general physician hands the job off without knowing if the specialists are doing a quality job or not cause they don't understand the inner workings of the human metabolism, that's why it's failing to fix the problem, which is our health. So now the average person has to learn how their body operates without getting paid to do so or get a discount in health insurance for fixing ourselves, because the ones who make the most money don't know how. In my field if we under perform as bad we get fired.

[@parmindersingh6986]

I’m on 9 years 0 carb lost 55 pounds but belly fat never gone. Very high protein low fat. Now last 5 month I eat very high fat like 200-300 grams fat 60-90 grams protein I gained muscle and lost belly fat . My glucose under 80 ketone all ways 2.5 to 3.9 . To much energy. Day time only eat ghee with coffee night eggs yolk small steak some bacon add more butter.

[@jaykana7677]

I am having the same problem, just belly and a bit of chest fat,will increase my fats.

[@punchkitten874]

​@@jaykana7677Dairy fats contain a hormone which helps babies put on weight. Dairy can stall or reverse weight loss on the carnivore diet.

[@vonticehembree6083]

@@punchkitten874 does that dairy you’re speaking g if also include heavy cream ? I use heavy cream in my coffee , I stopped drinking milk 2% 2 years ago . I’m curious if that includes heavy full fat cream?

[@punchkitten874]

@@vonticehembree6083 Yes, it does include heavy cream. I recently quit coffee, but I used to drink it with salt and heavy cream. Five pots a day!!! I wouldn't worry about it if you're only having a cup or two, but at my rate, it was my only calories for most of the day, and I called myself OMAD. 🤦 btw, quitting coffee wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. Yes, I had a headache, but bc I hadn't been eating during the day, quitting coffee led me to an easy 24 fast. The fast seemed to give me energy, which was weird, but I got over coffee in just a couple days (I quit bc $$)

[@vonticehembree6083]

@@punchkitten874 I’m only drinking one cup a day , rarely two . But it’s something to think about

[@jobrown8146]

This "student" is learning more from these lectures. Thank you very much.

[@carlor.s.4742]

Dr. Bickman, I can't tell you how much I love these lectures! In fact I'm developing an addiction to them-LOL! I'm a retired clinical psychologist & have always had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. I spend my evenings watching lectures like these instead of watching bad movies. Although I've watched many interviews involving yourself, I didn't discover this channel until recently. Thank you so much for allowing me to go back to school & learn--the thing I most like to do!

[@insuliniq]

Thanks for your kind comment.

[@gonefishing7813]

I work for our State Court system I’m on call 24 hr…if I’m called out during the night, which is very normal, sometimes when my sleep is interrupted early in the night usually around midnight I wake quite “addled “. I take a ketone “shot” as soon as I get up by the time I arrive at the scene of my call out, I find my head clear fully prepared to deal with the load of detailed paperwork required

[@caitlin6151]

I started using exogenous ketones after hearing you talk about using them. I have one client that I visit every week for 6 hours and her house is made of candy. I drink the ketones and go through the whole visit without a horrible urge to eat the candy. I am so thankful I started listening to you.

[@plumbthumbs9584]

If there was a large cauldron in the kitchen, caution, your client might be a cannibal witch.

[@privatesuzie4071]

Do you use American ketone recommended by dr ?

[@carda5967]

Do you mind to share Which brand do you use?

[@2makeshiftwings]

The more I listen to you the more I am so thankful I listen to you.

[@KeatonCarnivore]

Amen. It makes my ground beef taste better

[@gt27312]

I'm an elderly woman who's been keto for 4 years. I follow that protocol to reduce inflammation and weight, but also because of the dementia that runs in my family. I do my best to keep my cognition high so I have recently started to take exogenous ketones because I heard it was valuable for brain function and health. Whether it is a placebo effect or actual improvement, I experience increased clarity and awareness when I take exogenous ketones before a "study" session. I have not experience much difference in weight control but I do feel some improvement with inflammation. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us in a way that even laymen can understand!

[@missymeaux]

What brand do you use if you don’t mind sharing?

[@englander2626]

Thankyou for the excellent video. There are a lot of recommendations to take coconut oil and MCT oil. But it's unclear to what degree these oils are converted to keytones for people who have elevated insulin levels. If you could do a companion video to this one to clarify MCT oil and keytones that would help a lot.

[@CarnivoreScott]

Thank you Professor Bikman! I really appreciate your dedication to bring knowledge to the masses. I know your content is forever pushing the boundary of my ignorance back, it seems a never ending task. So again thank you for all you, and your team are doing. More informed patients is how the medical establishment will come to know these things you are teaching. I feel for Dr's and medical professionals as they are in a very tightly controlled line of business. It isn't only the customers (patients) they are trying to keep alive and or well, but the hospital administrators, investors, Big Pharma, Insurance, and of course the legal community. With so many pressures and so much at risk I can see how one would be required to stand on the platform of "Standard of Care." It's sad, but like my ignorance none the less true. All this to say thank you for helping us in the battle to secure better health.

[@insuliniq]

Thanks, Scott, for your kind comment.

[@ianstuart5660]

No excuses, ever, for causing deliberate harm to others!

[@pascalebarnes1068]

Hi Dr Bikman, I used exogenous ketones when I had covid recently (first time of having the virus). I took 1 bottle of KetoneIQ ketone ester per day, over 3 days, in the morning with decaf coffee and sine Mct oil and noticed a calming effect and less brain fog than when i first awoke. I was already on carnivore diet. My flu-lime symptoms were of shorter duration (2 days) than my husband, who got it (4 days), who wasn't on a very low carb diet and was not using exogenous ketones.

[@karene9446]

Dr. Bikman, I use them to get back to sleep. Insomnia's been a problem for decades now - especially when I'm in ketosis and for some reason, I can get back to sleep if I drink a gulp (I use HVMN's ketones.) They are also a tremendous help in reversing the grogginess and brain fog from lack of sleep. It seems counterintuitive if I'm already in ketosis, but I wonder if my body needs the energy to rest well. I notice a difference pre-exercise, but the sleep assistance is the most powerful. Oh, I should also add that they're just as effective if I've eaten enough carbs to take me out of ketosis.

[@nataliajimenez1870]

Maybe they reduce stress hormones pathways for you, allowing you to sleep. Many people that fast see an increase in their stress hormones and find it difficult to sleep.

[@karene9446]

@@nataliajimenez1870 Interesting! That makes a lot of sense - I'm particularly sensitive to stress. Thank you!

[@porterhousegirl]

I’ve been using exogenous ketones to help extend my sleep time. I would drink them a few hours before bed and it worked until it didn’t. I went from sleeping 2-3 hours to 5 1/2 hours and reverted back. However, I never thought about drinking them when I wake up in the middle of the night!!! I will try this tonight and see what happens! ❤

[@karene9446]

@@porterhousegirl Good luck! I hope it works

[@megm.c4026]

Thats because of Tryptophan I believe. It needs to get across brain barrier and doesnt very well when in ketosis. Lots on you tube about it. Thomas Delauer has some great vids on it and how to fix...worked for me without buying supplements, which I try not to do although he mentions exogonus ketones also as possible way to fix. Very common issue.

[@davidcottrell1308]

very cool! basic carnivore here...I am never hungry, have absolutely no cravings....I find your detailed explanations really helpful.Thanks for everything you do!!

[@robinq5511]

Ketone-IQ Pre-Workout: I take the 35 mL dose 30 mins before my 1 hr workout with a trainer. They boost my energy, mood and suppress my appetite for 2 to 4 hours. I usually take them fasted or after my decaf coffee with MCT oil depending on when I am going to the gym. I am a 74 yr female who is recovering from prediabetes & insulin resistance - thanks to you and a low carb diet! They do literally taste like cr@p but I keep mine chilled and down 8 oz of water immediately after. I have not experienced any negative side effects. They cost the same as the bioidentical ones you suggested but you get more servings. I test my ketones after my workout and they range anywhere from .5 to 1.5 probably due to the intensity of my w/o and how long I have waited to test. I also seem to have better recovery when I take them - less stiffness and soreness.

[@KirstiCheetahh]

Hi doc! I love your lessons! I have been eating keto/carnivore/cheesovore for 2 1/2 years to get rid of tendon pains, burning pain in my feet, fatty diarrhea. Great results! Woman, 54, LMHR, BMI 18.5 , play tennis fasted, retired, no stress. One problem persists: insomnia since early childhood, very active brain. It takes at least 2 hours to fall asleep and after a few hours of sleep I wake up and can not get back to sleep. I think I get low glycemia and high cortisol in the middle of the night. My liver seems slow in making glucose and ketones. Yesterday I took a teaspoon of MCT oil (70% C8 / 30% C10) in my yogurt at 8 pm (2 hours before bed). I have slept the whole night without waking up 😃 I hope this will continue.

[@nancyarchibald9095]

Whenever I get deep into ketosis via low-carb eating, I get this brain surge of focusing on the tasks at hand and the tasks on the back burners. I will clean out reorganize, improving our home centers, closets, sewing rooms, and many other cluttered places. I love it!! ❤️ 🏡 😊

[@donaldmcpherson3226]

Damn, you hit it out of the park with this class. You filled in some of the holes I have been curious about. It is a privilege to attend the metabolic classroom.

[@Dhyan333]

Incredibly helpful. So clear. You are a great instructor. I plan to understand this material completely and pass it on when people ask " what are you doing?" I'm obviously doing something different ( low carb life). I wish you had included use of MCT OIL. Please do a lecture that includes how and when to use MCT oil.

[@nancyarchibald9095]

I don't think he's a fan of MCT oils, if I recall. He'd rather see us use our diet wisely. Funny, how I remember his comments about that from back in 2019.

[@lindapestridge3073]

Always Learn something new watching your videos Dr Ben .

[@FocusProj]

Thank you for sharing your immense expertise and knowledge with the world. Another outstanding contribution from distinguished Dr. Bikman to the discourse on health and metabolism! :D

[@JimWooddell]

I use an exogenous ketone product that uses raspberry ketones as it's primary ingredient. Raises my blood ketones by 1 to 2 points within 2 hours. It is difficult for me to maintain a theraputic state of ketoses and these really help on those days my GKI will not go down.

[@Chippoka]

I don't use exogenous due to thier high cost relative to just using Bulletproof C8 MCT oil which converts to ketones fairly quickly; so I'll sip a little at work if my mental clarity starts to fade; or, sip while on the long commute home if I start getting too tired whist on cruise control. In both instances, the results are fast and effective. I also use it after a rare sweet treat to help bump up my metabolism (based on some of the work Dr Gundry has reported in his books and video about "mitochondria decoupling"). I find I can get back to burning fat (gained during a lax few days of eating carbs) sooner by doing that.

[@EvgeniiaDolinenko]

Dear Dr Bikman, ❤ you are amazing ❤ I hope you can do a video about gluten as a cause of hypothyroidism . You mentioned that in one interview . I also hope you can talk about food sensitivities, histamine and insulin, if there is a connection.

[@H4KnSL4K]

Thanks for the lesson, Doc!

[@zerocarbdoc]

Always appreciated!

[@colleynberesford4382]

fantastic video.always learning something

[@linz716]

Thank you so much for explaining this in a way - after rewatching - I can understand. New sub.

[@lilakeeley8506]

Thank you so much for this informative teaching on ketones

[@FocusProj]

5:30 just realised that those with insulin resistance, have a metabolism that is forced to use more glucose than ketones.

[@MartyRaaymakers]

Yes, same here

[@truthlover664]

Why wouldn't we use more fat from our cells instead of glucose?

[@truthlover664]

Lord have mercy!!!❤😢 please I need to lower my insulin..with depleting ALL MY ENERGY.

[@FocusProj]

@@truthlover664 When you insulin is elevated, your live can't enter keto-genesis.

[@cassieoz1702]

I find the constant use of the term 'insulin resistance' unhelpful (notwithstanding everyone spouting a different pet theory on the cause/mechanism). Ben has previously said that IR always coexists with hyperinsulinaemia so I find just using that term helps me understand what's happening.

[@melissawitherspoon9094]

So helpful. You answered some questions I have been searching for answers to! Awesome lesson! Thank you.

[@erniewhite1382]

Thanks greatly Ben Your work and presentation is brilliant

[@alenatsioplaya2453]

Thanks a lot for clear explanation of biology

[@greenwealth7781]

Thank you Dr. Ben.

[@anitachisnell8412]

This was a fascinating talk, thank you very much!😊

[@teknatruth]

Another great video! Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. I really feel like I am back at college learning about these things. In one of your videos, your analogy about the manual stick shift driven car really stuck with me and brought home the message of what happens in muscles when you burn ketones and when you burn glucose. Glucose, the engine is revving but not in gear yet, can't do much work. Ketones, the engine is revving and can now do work. You are the insulin expert in my mind. Keep up the work!

[@hayleygoldberg7194]

Absolutely brilliant

[@dawnchristine1344]

As always much appreciated information. Thank you

[@rosenelissen2692]

I always learn something from you Mr. Bikman. Thank you.

[@Ronlawhouston]

I think you gave an excellent presentation of Ketone metabolism. Do you think given the cost that exogenous ketones are worth it? I have a difficult time seeing the real benefits of higher ketone levels. It seems nutritional ketosis is sufficient.

[@debjordan4399]

Thank you. Learning from you is pure pleasure. This is extremely valuable information for those of your audience who eat a ketogenic diet.

[@yummymealsss]

I love this guy! So much information, thank you Ben!

[@kajatrees]

Thank you so much, that clarified a lot! I know I will be rewatching the video, it's so helpful and a somewhat less-covered topic! I have not used exogenous ketones so far, I have only got into ketosis through eating low-carb or almost no-carb, as well as fasting. It takes 2-3 days for me to get into ketosis after eating carbs (I haven't cut them out completely, for example I do parttake for birthdays etc). I am still testing this out, wearing both CGM and continuous ketone monitor to try and understand what affects me how, so I am very curious about this topic! I seem to have some insulin resistance, but otherwise my health metrics seem good, with blood pressure even being on the lower side. Even when I have reached ketosis, I sometimes get out of it again despite eating only meat and eggs for example, no strenuous exercise etc (example from yesterday), which makes me wonder... You mention in this video that insulin is the driver of the level of ketones created. Can insulin be created without carbs being eaten? As there is no continuous insulin monitor, I have to deduct insulin level from carb and ketone levels. I know blood glucose level goes up when I go to sauna (and I love sauna) - does this raise insulin right away as well? Curiously, when I was at a spa and spent time alternatingly in sauna and in cool water (20 degrees Celsius, so not "cold" like most cold plunge research), my ketone levels jumped up when I was in the cool, instantly down again when I was in sauna. Does this mean that cold plunges make ketone levels go up? In your video you talk about breaking down nutrients (both carbs and fats), but I didn't hear you mention if it is the same citrate cycle when using our body's own fat? I am sorry if it should be obvious, it's just that I am trying to learn from all these different sources and this link is so far missing in my understanding. So many topics that are interesting here and I hope you will be covering these and more in the future! Always extremely grateful that you are educating us like this. I am in IT myself, so completely different field, but I am obsessed with understanding how to make myself healthier! Your channel here as well as so many interviews in different places, and InsulinIQ free course (didn't take the paid one) and your book and the Instagram reels... Amazing and huge thank you!

[@davidcorbit3931]

You are amazing at breaking down the inflammation into a very digestible form..Thank You Dr.

[@FrannyBeepsAttic]

Thank you!

[@danielduan2134]

Eye opening lecture!

[@nannygranny9534]

The best thing ti happen for my health is finding your videos and now your classroom!!! I have been following your advice and my blood glucose is down. Making keytones comes and goes but at least I am finally making some that are measurable. To keep them I have to have less than 20g of carbs a day.

[@fronniebealer7808]

Your info has helped me not to be leary of the wastefulness in the usage of exogenous ketones.

[@cherylking1459]

Hello, Dr. B. Another excellent video. I am conducting my own study on longevity and keto. N=1. Looking forward to the journey. I lucked onto this path 20 or so years ago and I believe it was a very good happenstance. Keep up the great work!!

[@zman3463]

Thank you ❤

[@dahof2789]

Great teacher!

[@InconnuGlitterBoy]

Excellent lecture. Thank you.

[@insuliniq]

Thank you, @InconnuGlitterBoy for your kind gift. Certainly not expected, but much appreciated. Thanks.

[@alancole1394]

I use them when I go out for a meal with family and friends that are not on a ketogenic diet. It's seems to keep me in ketosis even if I have more than 50g carbs. Thanks for all you do Dr. Bikman! ❤

[@jayaprakashrao7535]

Lots of gratitude to you Sir....Very informative...You made my day...❤❤

[@mortonkelsey7125]

Very interesting and helpful lecture. Thank you.

[@SHalto142]

Thank you for this. I have been worried about exogenous ketones even while I'm struggling to get into ketosis through diet. And for the discussion of salts, esters, and bio identical BHB.

[@nataliajimenez1870]

Maybe using exogenous ketones can act as a bridge to help ramp up the metabolic pathways for ketone metabolism. There's definitely an adaptation period going from a high insulin state to a low insulin one

[@freesoulfreesoul6550]

Thankyou teacher

[@vanninquine3636]

Thank you. Not just educational but so interesting and helpful. I find your “classrooms” enjoyable … you present your information so clearly. I have been trying to get “fat adapted” for the last 6/12 on a carnivore diet. Exogenous ketones may be worth trying🤞. Thank you

[@starius1154]

Dr Bikman, thank you for this info. I keep hoping someone will talk about using exogenous ketones in the setting of epilepsy. We've known about the ketogenic diet being an effective treatment for lots of seizure disorders, and I've often wondered how exogenous ketones would affect someone suffering from epilepsy. I'm in the EEG field but still have not heard anything about anyone trying this. If you ever run out of research ideas, feel free to have this one! Thanks again. (PS I've tried the salts and the esters. I'll have to give your suggested brand a try next!)

[@ken355555]

Excellent thank you very much doctor Ben

[@KennethP.EckelJr.]

Thank you

[@vonticehembree6083]

I have tried ketone IQ, I didn’t see any great result but I’m not giving up on it . I tried another one that tasted like an orange dream sickle and I felt a definite amount of energy . Name : REAL ketone . I usually stay at. 6mmol thru keto mojo monitoring . Not sure if this low level of ketone is really beneficial but at last my A1c stays at 5.3 which is more important to me . Thank you DR Ben . I love learning from your classes

[@vonticehembree6083]

.6 mmol not 6 mmol

[@thomassaddul]

Thank u prof.

[@user-me3um3ks1b]

Thank you for a clear and complete explanation of ketones!! I use exogenous ketones for energy and in the evenings to satisfy cravings as well but not too late as I think they can keep me from going to sleep easily.

[@zarimohammadinia2120]

Thanks a lot.🙏🍀

[@Bama_J]

Thanks!

[@craigsimmo83]

I’ve been taking a little in the morning before work, as I find this helps me focus, and I take some pre workout with a coffee and some MCT powder, which seems to work pretty well for me

[@janapeony8561]

I am ketovore since 2018 and using exogenous ketons for the first time today before my workout.

[@missymeaux]

Would you mind sharing the brand of ketones you are using and if you liked them?

[@stric10]

Haven't watched yet. I just started supplementing ketone salts in the morning, based on D'Augostino's work. Had / have trouble consuming enough quality fats, they are simply not available where I am at. Autism spectrum + migraines + general lack of energy. I feel amazing with exogenous ketones. That clarity that hits when you first enter ketosis? Yeah, it's that in a bottle.

[@MrRobinGoodhand]

Hi Ben, when I heard you mention Dr. Stephen Cunnane, I wondered if you were going to mention MCT oil. Apparently our bodies have the capacity to convert MCT oil to ketones. I am also reminded of Dr. Mary Newport's experience with her husband's dementia, and how the MCT oil made some improvements for him. I do not know if you could consider this a source of exogenous ketones or not, as the MCT oil has to be converted to ketones once digested. I make a super delicious salad dressing which I encourage you and your listeners to try. 1 tsp dijon mustard, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 3 tbsp MCT oil plus a dash of salt. It's a tasty way to get the MCT oil in me as I do not like bulletproof coffee. By the way, it is a completely taste-free oil, so good for consuming with other foods.

[@098anne]

Thanks for the info, Dr. Bikman! Am suggesting to my dad who is older and experiencing some memory issues. Might use myself to increase benefits of shorter fasts of 20-30 hr fasts.

[@LucidAmethyst]

Thanks Ben, can you explain the difference and/or relationship between dietary sources of acetic acid (vinegar) and butyrate (butter) and the formation/production of ketones.

[@awesometulips9427]

Yes, please, Dr Bikman. Excellent question, i always wonder how this works as i have them daily.

[@awesometulips9427]

Great talk, thanks Dr Bikman. How do ketones enter a cell? Do ketones need a receptor like glucose does with an insulin receptor? Is there a scale that shows ketone millimolar level and the corresponding ketone use in different parts of the body, like at what level heart cells benefit from ketones compared to brain cells and so on...? Ketones are life savers and the more we understand ketones and ketosis the better we can apply this knowledge, us non scientists 😅

[@fredsmit3481]

Dr. Bikman, thanks for this video, I learned a lot. I've been in ketosis for many years and like many people posted, I would like to sleep longer - I sleep for only 5 hours and I'm tired during the day. I'm experimenting with sodium-bhb salts and increasing my potassium. I recently took potassium chloride and sodium-bhb in the morning and had more energy during the day. My next plan is to reduce it to just one variable at a time and then try taking the bhb salts at night. If they both help, then I may switch from sodium-bhb to potassium-bhb.

[@judithr7785]

I love your podcast. I always learn something new and find I want to know more. With regard to exogenous ketones, you didn’t mention MCT oil. I presume because this is not a ketone but can be converted in to them. My question is if insulin is high and you consume MCT oil will it help you get into ketosis or just get stored as fat. Many thanks for your great work. You have a real gift for explaining really complex stuff exceptionally well.

[@paulasmith4933]

Wow! So much information! I am going to listen to this again and take notes!! Thank you!

[@jobrown8146]

I often find it helpful to listen to these type of videos twice or sometimes 3 times.

[@flash3047]

It would be useful if a you could have discussed how long ex ketones last in the body? Especially the new type you take from American ketones.

[@drakedorosh9332]

Cod liver oil with some whey from a yogurt container and salt drops from Trace Minerals is my morning Bulletproof. The BHB sounds like a good addition. Thanks

[@googlefriend8410]

Great keytone knowledge and introspect. Of the many benefits, fat loss and inflamation control are appealing. If I am interpreting this correctly, I could use exogenous key tones to help control the inflammation caused by any surgery but great for knee or joint surgeries as a way to heal faster? wow, imagine a Dr prescribing key tones along with D3.

[@user-jb3bg9og7b]

I have been using them in coffee before workout. 12oz of coffee, 25 grams of protein powder, big serving of ketones and one scoop of MCT oil

[@rickKrause]

You my friend are a legend ❤❤❤

[@meatdog]

I use liquid bhb called Pucker up for appetite and cravings and inflammation. Its bitter but pleasant. I don't get more than 1 to 1.2 mmol increase in ketones and its very expensive. But if my weight is stuck taking exogenous BHB gets the scale moving down again. Thanjs for tge cellular function lecture. I feel much more informed about using them.

[@Keithzzzzt]

Ketones are very helpfull in Alcohol Use Disorder. A ketogenic diet supplies the brain with much needed energy when alcohol is removed. A keto diey or Exogenous ketones lower the need for benzos in the early stages of detox and lower the rate of seizures. It may even reduce cravings for alcohol because cravings are not only psychological but metabolical...arising from lack of brain energy. If the brain associates alcohol with energy it will produce cravings. Plus a ketogenic diet is well known to prevent seizures in epileptics so it just makes sense that it would benefit withdrawal symtoms.

[@dorsetboronia6744]

Thank you for this info.Brilliant. But what about MCT oil.? I am 81 yr female in Australia. Just diagnosed with mild to moderate white matter disease. Am carnivore. Hoping exogenous ketones will slow progress. Is there any hope of that? Many thanks.

[@CoyoteWindRanch]

Question. If I’m always in a state of ketosis will taking exogenous ketones even be helpful? Awesome lesson as always!

[@ihrwimpernspezialist4941]

Could you give the link to buy thees recommended keatons, please?

[@sgibson4115]

The author of The Second Brain, by doctor Michael Gershon believes that the brain needs high glucose to maintain health. I put the book away the minute I read that- fifteen years ago.

[@perrysebastian6928]

I started using a CKM. I have some KetoneIQ shots that I have not used, but now I think I will do a bit of testing.

[@Maggied50]

I have started using ketohol (R1, 3 butanediol) in the evening to replace my wine habit. It has a slight calming affect without ethanol and ketone benefits.

[@loisbrown503]

HERE'S HOW I USE THEM: If I've eaten significantly more than 50 gm. carbs one day, the next day it can be hard to get back onto very low carbs. Even with a fat+protein breakfast, by mid- morning I might feel weak, so that's when I'll chug the little bottle of exogenous ketones. For whatever reason, I do feel better soon after. Thanks so much for this course!

[@carda5967]

you said 'one of your favorite brands' , can you recommend any other brands, or teach us what not to use? Great Video! thank you!

[@annabanana7752]

Ben, Since breast cancer is so prevalent. Will you please talk about insulin resistance, elevated blood sugar, metabolic syndrome and why it is so important to change diet now and after surgery so it will possibly reduce the risk of recurrence. RN here, people do NOT understand that progesterone and estrogen are released from fat cells. So reduction of all over body fat will help. I hope one of your moderators read this. There are too many MDs that do not emphasize the importance of maintaining low insulin and eating low carbs is a positive change overall. Thank you.

[@mr8966]

I guess the law of attraction works even though I wasn’t tninking about it but this morning I said to myself I want to understand what a ketone and ketogenesis are. I’ve been procrastinating on that for a week and this was the first video that popped into my feed before I even searched the topic. I have seen a few short explanations here and there in the past, now I only have to listen to this one. Fantastic presentation well beyond my limits of comprehension of biology but I find if I go beyond what I need to know I’ll better retain a firm grasp on the essentials and be able to explain it to others. Well done. Ketosis changed my lofe and I’m only 2 months in. 🥩

[@lou-annatkinson4211]

Second post... sorry Dr Bikman for my question, silly me, should have known you'd have a video on NAFLD, just found it. Again, thank you 😅

[@brigittel9556]

Very interesting, thanks Dr. Bikman. When I started with the keto diet, I never had the aceton breath, nore in the urine. Can you perhaps explain sometimes how that is possible? Only with water fasting I can come in a high ketose and dairy gets me out of ketosis. A struggle in the beginning, but now I eat mostly meat and that feels very good. No more cravings and my taste is changed.

[@shaunkong62]

Dr.Bikman please write down everything so that people can see the actual molecules, right? You can easily sell this " biochemistry of the human body" book. In the e-book format you can also get an audio book.😅🎉

[@diablominero]

I have some potassium D-beta-hydroxybutyrate. I'm trying to get more potassium in my diet anyway, so I don't mind the mineral, and I can definitely feel a mild effect when I use it.

[@husniyetasdelen773]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and explaining everything so clearly ! What do you think of Chrono-Nutrition from Dr. Alain DELABOS? Thank you for your answer Dr. Bikman

[@angelagould54]

Dr. Bikman, your colleague Dr. Brett Scher recommended exogenous ketone because I have cerebral palsy. I am 64 years old and aqua jog 5 days a week. I have learned that the ketones assist in my muscle spasms.

[@insuliniq]

Dr. Scher is an amazing resource and even a better person.

[@rosariocuadradoalarcon9772]

Hi from Soain Dr Bigman , thanks so much for sharing your knowledge . Talking about cravings , what is your opinión Is it possible we feel hungry because we dont eat enough ? What is your opinión about OMAD ?

[@AngieFromDownUnder]

G’day Dr Bikman I have a question… What do you think of MCT oil (C8, C10)? I take a Tbs in my 1x coffee most days (with 1 Tbs each butter and cream). I eat predominantly high fat, mod protein carnivore. Or would you say the exogenous ketones are better? Love your videos, thank you 🙏 Angie from Down Under

[@H4KnSL4K]

For those fat adapted, they can get better levels than you cite. I've gotten a GKI of lower than 1.5, so glucose like 4.5 mmol/L or lower and ketones higher than 3.0 mmol/L. But I need to essentially fast for a few days to get that.