Ketone Esters for Appetite, Cognition, and Cardiovascular Function in Individuals With Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Non-pharmacological Treatments for Obesity: Leveraging the Appetite Suppressive Effects of Hyperketonemia Through Exogenous Ketone Ingestion to Treat Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and Cognition

The goal of this single-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial is to test the effects of an oral ketone supplement on appetite, cognition, metabolism, and cardiovascular function in individuals with obesity and insulin resistance.

The main question[s] it aims to answer are:

• Does taking the ketone supplement reduce appetite and improve cognition?
• How does the ketone supplement alter metabolism and cardiovascular function?

Participants will be asked to consume a randomly assigned ketone ester supplement or a placebo and testing will be done to see how the supplement affects the following compared to a placebo:

• appetite,
• cognition,
• metabolism
• cardiovascular function

Researchers will compare individuals with obesity and insulin resistance to individuals with normal weight and no insulin resistance to see if the ketone supplement affects groups differently.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults between the ages of 18-50 years of age.
• Presence of metabolic sydnrome

Control Participant Eligibility:

• A waist circumference of < 102 cm for males and < 88 cm for females, and
• No indication of metabolic syndrome

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding or lactating
• Missing any limbs or part of a limb
• Having a substantial amount of metal implants (metal plates or complete joint replacements)
• Having a pacemaker or any other electrical implant
• Type I diabetes
• Gestational diabetes
• Taking insulin
• Any history of severe traumatic brain injury or mild traumatic brain injury within the last two years
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Thyroid disease
• Any diagnosed neurological or neurodegenerative diseases
• Any surgeries that would impact swallowing and/or digestion
• Being on a ketogenic diet or having been on a ketogenic diet in the last 6 months
• Having received ionizing radiation from a medical procedure within the last 30 days
• Being on a medically prescribed diet