Ketones are fundamental to the development of humans as a species. In fact, evolutionary biologists credit the ability to produce ketones as a defining moment in cellular energetics and may have coincided with the rapid increase in size and function of the human brain. The average human brain weighs in at approximately 1400 grams or 2% of total body weight. By comparison, the adult brain at rest consumes 20% of basal metabolic rate (BMR) and as much as 50% in young children. Under normal circumstances, glucose is the predominant cerebral energy substrate. However, during times of starvation, glucose stores are rapidly exhausted leaving the brain without an adequate energy supply. Ketones (produced from fatty acid metabolism in the liver) subsequently become the main energy substrate and by day 3 will provide 30-40% of BMR. Ketones are transported into the brain and provide an alternative fuel to glucose.
A growing body of research in both animals and humans suggests ketone supplementation may improve organ energetics and function. Studies dating back to the early 1920’s noted a relationship between ketosis and improved seizure control in patients with epilepsy. Subsequent studies found similar improvements with exogenous ketone supplementation. Ketosis induced by various techniques, including diet and ketone esters, has improved outcomes in both chronic and acute neurological conditions. Benefits are not restricted to the brain. Studies have demonstrated improved cardiac contractility in both animal and human subjects, and performance enhancement in endurance athletes.
To date, a number of clinical trials are being undertaken to provide better data to confirm outcomes and provide guidance for future clinical applications.
The purpose of this research topic is:
• To provide insight into the current theories and mechanisms by which ketosis improves cellular energetics and immune and organ function in health and disease
• Examine the various techniques for inducing ketosis via exogenous supplementation e.g. Ketogenic diet, ketone ester supplements, intravenous solutions etc.
• Determine roles for exogenous ketone supplementation – the current state of play and future clinical applications
Authors are encouraged to submit human and animal original research or review papers including but not limited to the following:
• Basic science of ketone metabolism in both health and disease states
• Techniques for inducing ketosis in humans both enteral and parenteral. This includes both diet, ketone supplementation via ketone esters/salts, and potential intravenous formulations
• Applications in health including improving cognitive function and the role in high-performance athletes
• Clinical applications including both chronic and status epilepsy and seizure control, the treatment of progressive dementias, the role in neurodegenerative disorders and other neurological conditions, management of acute brain injury including stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and applications in heart failure and cardiac surgery.
Ketones are fundamental to the development of humans as a species. In fact, evolutionary biologists credit the ability to produce ketones as a defining moment in cellular energetics and may have coincided with the rapid increase in size and function of the human brain. The average human brain weighs in at approximately 1400 grams or 2% of total body weight. By comparison, the adult brain at rest consumes 20% of basal metabolic rate (BMR) and as much as 50% in young children. Under normal circumstances, glucose is the predominant cerebral energy substrate. However, during times of starvation, glucose stores are rapidly exhausted leaving the brain without an adequate energy supply. Ketones (produced from fatty acid metabolism in the liver) subsequently become the main energy substrate and by day 3 will provide 30-40% of BMR. Ketones are transported into the brain and provide an alternative fuel to glucose.
A growing body of research in both animals and humans suggests ketone supplementation may improve organ energetics and function. Studies dating back to the early 1920’s noted a relationship between ketosis and improved seizure control in patients with epilepsy. Subsequent studies found similar improvements with exogenous ketone supplementation. Ketosis induced by various techniques, including diet and ketone esters, has improved outcomes in both chronic and acute neurological conditions. Benefits are not restricted to the brain. Studies have demonstrated improved cardiac contractility in both animal and human subjects, and performance enhancement in endurance athletes.
To date, a number of clinical trials are being undertaken to provide better data to confirm outcomes and provide guidance for future clinical applications.
The purpose of this research topic is:
• To provide insight into the current theories and mechanisms by which ketosis improves cellular energetics and immune and organ function in health and disease
• Examine the various techniques for inducing ketosis via exogenous supplementation e.g. Ketogenic diet, ketone ester supplements, intravenous solutions etc.
• Determine roles for exogenous ketone supplementation – the current state of play and future clinical applications
Authors are encouraged to submit human and animal original research or review papers including but not limited to the following:
• Basic science of ketone metabolism in both health and disease states
• Techniques for inducing ketosis in humans both enteral and parenteral. This includes both diet, ketone supplementation via ketone esters/salts, and potential intravenous formulations
• Applications in health including improving cognitive function and the role in high-performance athletes
• Clinical applications including both chronic and status epilepsy and seizure control, the treatment of progressive dementias, the role in neurodegenerative disorders and other neurological conditions, management of acute brain injury including stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and applications in heart failure and cardiac surgery.
