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Ketone Utilization for Cognition

Meaning

The metabolic process by which the brain efficiently uses ketone bodies—specifically beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)—as an alternative and often superior fuel source to glucose, leading to enhanced neurological function. This utilization is clinically leveraged to support mental clarity, improve energy production in aging or metabolically compromised brains, and promote profound neuroprotection. Shifting the brain’s primary energy substrate to ketones is a powerful strategy for optimizing cognitive performance and mitigating the effects of cerebral glucose hypometabolism, a hallmark of cognitive decline.