"There has been a lot of excitement and interest in ketone drinks and supplements, which have really only been on the market and available to consumers for the last couple of years," says Jonathan Little, associate professor at UBC Okanagan's School of Health and Exercise Sciences and study lead author, in a Science Daily release. “There is mounting evidence that a low carbohydrate ketogenic diet is very effective in controlling blood sugar and even reversing Type 2 diabetes.”
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Little and his team asked 15 people to consume a ketone drink after fasting overnight. After 30 minutes, they were then asked to drink a fluid containing 75 grams of sugar while blood samples were taken.The results, Little says: “It turns out that the ketone drink seemed to launch participants into a sort of pseudo-ketogenic state where they were better able to control their blood sugar levels with no changes to their insulin. It demonstrates that these supplements may have real potential as a valuable tool for those with Type 2 diabetes.”
Ketone supplements would be an alternative way for consumers to reach ketosis–the state achieved through a ketogenic diet, for those who have trouble maintaining a strict diet, according to Little. Further research, however, still needs to be done on the long term effects of taking ketone supplements, and Little added that this isn’t treatment—just another potential management strategy.
For more information about the study, gohere.
