Evidence supporting the use of: Ketone salts
For the health condition: Energy (lack of)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ketone salts are exogenous ketone supplements—typically beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) bound to minerals like sodium, potassium, or magnesium—marketed to increase blood ketone levels and provide an alternative energy source. Scientific evidence supporting their use for alleviating lack of energy is limited and primarily based on short-term studies.
Ketones are naturally produced in the liver during periods of carbohydrate restriction or fasting and can be used by the brain and muscles as an energy source. Some research indicates that exogenous ketone salts can rapidly increase blood ketone concentrations, providing fuel for tissues especially when glucose is low. However, human studies on their effectiveness in improving subjective energy levels or physical performance are mixed. A few trials suggest that ketone supplementation may reduce perceived exertion and enhance cognitive performance in some situations, but other studies find no significant effect compared to placebo.
Most studies are small, short in duration, and often involve healthy participants or athletes. There is insufficient robust evidence to confirm a notable or consistent benefit for people with chronic fatigue or low energy unrelated to exercise or fasting. Overall, ketone salts may temporarily raise ketone levels and offer an alternative energy substrate, but evidence supporting their use specifically to treat or support general lack of energy is weak at this time.
Other ingredients used for Energy (lack of)
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione7-Keto-DHEA
Acai berry
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Agastache
Akebia
Algae
Algal protein
Almond fruit
Alpha D-ribofuranose
Alpha polylactate
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
alpinia galangal
amino acids
Amor seco
anamu
animal protein
antler
Aralia
Ardisia
Areca
arginine creatine
Arginine malate
Arginine silicate
ashwagandha
aspartic acid
atractylone
ba ji tian
banana
baobab
bee pollen
Beef liver
berry
beta phenethylalamine
beta-alanine
beta-hydroxybutyrate
biotin
black ginger
black pepper
blackthorn
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
bovine protein
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
catecholamine
chia seed
Chlorophytum
chuchuhuasi
Cinnamomum
cistanche
coca
coconut
coconut milk
coconut oil
Codonopsis
Coenzyme A
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
cola nut
commiphora
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
curcumen
Cynomorium
D-Ribose
deer root
deer velvet
Dendrobium
dextrates
dextrose
dragonhead
ecdysterone
egg
Egg protein
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
eleuthero
elk antler
ephedrine
Erodium cicutarium
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Eurycoma Longifolia
eurycomanone
folate
fungus
gamma-butyrobetaine
garden cress
ginseng
glucose
GMS-ribose
greens blend (proprietary)
guarana
Guaranine
guayusa
Herb Robert
Higenamine
Ilex
jiaogulan
jungli-bean
ketone salts
ketosterones
kola nut
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
l-carnitine
L-glutamine
L-glycine
L-leucine
l-tyrosine
lemongrass
lipids
maca
macaenes
macamides
magnesium
malic acid
maral root
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Methylliberine
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Milk
Milk Protein
Ming Dang Shen
Mushroom
Nettle
Orchis latifolia
ornithine L-aspartic acid
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
oxaloacetic acid
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
paraxanthine
peanut
Petiveria
Phytoecdysteroid
Plankton
pollen
Polygonatum
protein
Pseudostellaria
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
pyrroloquinoline quinone
Rhodiola
ribose
robusta coffee
rosemary
Rubia yunnanensis
Rubiaceae
Safed musli
sage
Sarivan
shiitake mushroom
Sichuan Lovage
Sida cordifolia
siler root
Southern Tsangshu
Sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
succinic acid
Sulbutiamine
suma
sweet flag
Synephrine
Tea
Teacrine
Terminalia
Theacrine
Theobromine
Thylakoid
Tongkat ali
trace minerals
Trichilia catigua
Trichopus zeylanicus
vegetable blend (proprietary)
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
Wheat
wheat germ
Whey protein
Wulinshen
Yerba mate
Yuzu
Zedoary
Zinc
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by ketone salts
Alzheimer's DiseaseAthletic and Exercise Aids
Dementia
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Migraine