Pharmacological Ketone Delivery refers to the administration of exogenous ketone bodies, typically in the form of ketone salts or ketone esters, to rapidly and predictably elevate circulating beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels independently of dietary carbohydrate restriction. This method is utilized clinically and experimentally to induce a state of therapeutic ketosis for targeted metabolic or neurological benefits without requiring strict adherence to a ketogenic diet. It offers a precise way to leverage the signaling and energetic properties of ketones. This delivery bypasses the need for hepatic ketogenesis.
Origin
This concept is a modern development in metabolic research, evolving from the therapeutic use of the ketogenic diet, which historically required severe dietary restriction. The term highlights the shift from a nutritional intervention to a direct, quantifiable pharmaceutical approach for modulating blood ketone levels. It represents a technological advance in the application of metabolic science.
Mechanism
The mechanism involves the rapid absorption and hydrolysis of the orally administered ketone compounds in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to a spike in blood BHB concentration. BHB acts as a high-efficiency fuel source, bypassing glucose metabolism constraints, and also functions as a signaling molecule, inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDACs) to alter gene expression, which can reduce inflammation and enhance cellular stress resistance. This dual function provides both energetic and regulatory benefits.
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