Ketones: A Potential New Weapon in the Fight Against Heart Disease?
A recent small-scale study from the University of Portsmouth has sparked excitement in the medical community, suggesting that ketones, a byproduct of fat metabolism, may hold the key to improving heart health, particularly for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
This groundbreaking research, the first of its kind to directly administer ketone esters to people with T2D, found that a single drink containing thes supplements lead to important improvements in cardiac efficiency.
“It’s still early days, but these results are promising,” said Dr. Maria Perissiou, lead author of the study. “We saw an enhancement in cardiac efficiency after the participants had the drink with ketones, compared to a placebo drink.”
Understanding Ketosis and its Potential Benefits
ketosis is a metabolic state where the body shifts from using glucose (sugar) as its primary fuel source to burning fat for energy. This shift occurs when carbohydrate intake is considerably reduced, forcing the liver to produce ketones from stored fat.
While ketosis is often associated with the ketogenic diet, a popular weight-loss strategy, its potential benefits extend far beyond shedding pounds.
“Our bodies have two different fuel tanks — glucose and free fatty acids,” explained Dr. perissiou. “Healthy people use glucose because it’s more efficient, but people with diabetes tend to use free fatty acids because their bodies are unable to break down glucose into energy due to insulin resistance.”
In individuals with type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, leading to a range of complications, including heart disease.
“For patients with diabetes, glucose can stay in the bloodstream and act like rust — destroying the vessels gradually,” Dr. Perissiou stated. “And for those with type-2 diabetes, their hearts are using fatty acids and gradually working harder and harder, which means they’re at risk of dying from different cardiovascular diseases.”
The Serendipitous Finding: SGLT2i and the Link to ketones
The discovery of ketones’ potential heart-protective effects came as a surprise. It stemmed from observations made during clinical trials of a new drug called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), designed to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
“The drug SGLT2i was used to lower glucose in patients with diabetes and longitudinal studies were showing that it was inadvertently protecting the heart,” Dr. Perissiou explained. “The hypothesis was that the drug induces ketosis and the heart was using ketones, which improved heart health, but the evidence for this was limited so our research set out to prove the connection.”
The University of portsmouth study provided compelling evidence to support this hypothesis. Participants who consumed ketone esters showed significant improvements in cardiac function, including:
Increased cardiac efficiency: Their hearts worked more efficiently both at rest and during moderate-intensity exercise.
Improved microvascular function: Ultrasound assessments revealed healthier blood vessels, indicating better blood flow. Enhanced blood flow to small vessels: Infrared spectroscopy measurements demonstrated improved blood circulation in smaller vessels.
Looking Ahead: Future Research and Practical Applications
While these findings are promising, Dr. perissiou emphasizes the need for further research. ”We only assessed participants on the day, which means we have no idea what the chronic impact of drinking ketones would be,” she cautioned.
Future studies will investigate the long-term effects of ketone supplementation on heart health, and also the optimal dosage and delivery methods.Practical Takeaways for U.S. Readers
While more research is needed, the potential benefits of ketones for heart health are undeniable. Here are some practical takeaways for U.S. readers:
Talk to your doctor: If you have type 2 diabetes or are at risk for heart disease, discuss the potential benefits and risks of ketone supplementation with your healthcare provider.
Focus on a healthy lifestyle: Regardless of your diabetes status, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle is crucial. This includes eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress.
Stay informed: Keep up-to-date on the latest research regarding ketones and heart health.
The University of Portsmouth study offers a glimpse into a potentially revolutionary approach to preventing and treating heart disease. As research continues to unravel the complexities of ketosis and its impact on cardiovascular health,we can expect to see exciting new developments in the years to come.
Could Ketones Be teh Future of Heart Health?
Time.news Editor: Dr. Perissiou, your recent study on ketone esters and their impact on heart health has generated quite a buzz. Could you elaborate on what makes this research so groundbreaking?
Dr. Maria Perissiou: Absolutely. This is the first study to directly administer ketone esters to individuals with type 2 diabetes and observe their effects on cardiac function. While ketosis and the ketogenic diet have gained popularity, our research focused specifically on exploring ketones’ potential therapeutic benefits for heart health, especially in a population at risk.
Time.news Editor:
what exactly are ketones, and how do they work in relation to heart health?
Dr. Perissiou: Ketones are molecules produced by the liver when the body starts burning fat for energy instead of glucose.
Typically, healthy individuals rely on glucose for fuel, but peopel with type 2 diabetes often struggle with glucose metabolism.Our bodies essentially have two fuel tanks – glucose and fatty acids. Our research suggests ketones could act as an alternative fuel source for the heart,particularly in individuals struggling with glucose regulation.
Time.news Editor: Your study demonstrated notable improvements in cardiac efficiency. Can you elaborate on the specific findings?
Dr. Perissiou: Yes, participants who consumed ketone esters showed a marked advancement in cardiac efficiency both at rest and during moderate-intensity exercise.
Furthermore, ultrasound assessments revealed healthier blood vessels and infrared spectroscopy measurements showed enhanced blood flow to smaller vessels. These findings suggest that ketones may indeed play a protective role in cardiovascular health.
Time.news Editor: This sounds promising, but is there more research needed?
Dr. Perissiou: Absolutely. While the initial findings are encouraging, further research is essential. This single-dose study doesn’t reveal the long-term effects of ketone supplementation. We need to investigate chronic impacts, optimal dosages, and various delivery methods.
Time.news Editor:
Given the early stage of research, what advice would you offer to individuals interested in exploring ketone supplementation for heart health?
Dr. Perissiou:
First and foremost, consult your doctor. Don’t embark on any dietary changes or supplements without professional guidance.
Remember, a heart-healthy lifestyle remains crucial regardless of your diabetes status. focus on balanced nutrition, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and stress management.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Perissiou, for shedding light on this exciting frontier in cardiovascular health.