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Exogenous Ketone Esters

Meaning

Exogenous Ketone Esters are synthetic compounds designed to rapidly elevate circulating ketone body levels, primarily D-beta-hydroxybutyrate, independent of dietary restriction or fasting. These esters consist of a ketone body molecule chemically bonded to an alcohol, often 1,3-butanediol, which is then hydrolyzed in the gut and liver to release the active ketone body. They represent a pharmacological tool for inducing a state of acute nutritional ketosis, providing an immediate, high-concentration fuel source for the brain and muscles. This rapid delivery bypasses the rate-limiting step of endogenous ketogenesis.