Ketone Body Induction: Insights into Metabolic Disease Management

Abstract

Ketone bodies (KBs), particularly beta-hydroxybutyrate, are crucial metabolites that provide clean and efficient energy, especially during periods of low glucose availability. Ketogenesis is a promising therapeutic avenue for conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on ketogenesis across different health conditions and therapeutic modalities, highlighting the potential to mitigate metabolic disorders and diabetes-related complications. By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, increased KB production provides cardiovascular and neuroprotective benefits. Ketogenesis is enhanced under physiological conditions like pregnancy and fasting, as well as in pathophysiological states such as diabetes and heart failure. Various interventions, including the promotion of endogenous ketogenesis through diet and exercise, drug-induced ketogenesis via sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, and exogenous ketone supplementation, have demonstrated favorable effects on metabolic health. However, challenges remain, including risks such as pathological ketoacidosis and dyslipidemia. In specific populations, such as lean mass hyper-responders, laboratory lipid profiles might reflect the metabolic privilege. This review will assist in the future clarification of individual differences and optimized therapeutic approaches leveraging ketogenesis for the personalized management of metabolic disorders.