Retired plastic surgeon, Jim Johnson, claims that taking a daily ketone supplement has significantly improved his mental and physical health. Johnson, 76, believes that the supplement, which he has been taking for 18 months, has enhanced his focus, strength, and overall well-being. So convinced of its potential benefits, he even contributed over £200,000 to fund a pilot study exploring the effects of ketones on strength, movement, and memory in older adults.

Johnson's experience is part of a growing body of research examining the potential of ketones as preventive and treatment options for various conditions, including mental illness, cancer, dementia, Parkinson's, and heart disease. Bath University in the UK is also conducting studies on the use of ketone supplements for older individuals.

Ketones are naturally produced by the liver and serve as an alternative fuel source for cells when the body is low on carbohydrates. They facilitate the burning of fat for energy instead. Recent studies have suggested that ketone supplements may improve memory in people with early dementia, and animal studies indicate that a ketogenic diet (very low in carbohydrates) alongside traditional cancer care could slow the growth of certain cancer cells.

The mechanism behind how ketones work in cells is not fully understood, but researchers speculate that they could provide an energy boost for the brain in dementia patients, whose brain cells struggle to use glucose efficiently. Additionally, ketones appear to protect muscles from breakdown.

Recognizing the potential benefits of ketone supplements, the Buck Institute, Ohio State University, and the University of Connecticut were granted nearly £3 million to investigate the effects of these supplements on muscle strength in older people. Researchers are now seeking to recruit 180 individuals aged 65 and above who have experienced a decline in walking speed, a crucial sign of diminished strength and frailty. Frailty affects approximately one in ten people aged 65 and becomes more prevalent among those over 85.

While ketone supplements have primarily been used by athletes and soldiers to improve endurance and strength, researchers believe that they could also serve as a health intervention for the aging population. As people age, their mitochondria, which generate cellular energy, become less efficient at using glucose. Ketones have the potential to bypass these inefficiencies and enhance the body's energy utilization.

Ketones' impact extends beyond energy production. They seem to act as chemical messengers that influence other physiological processes, including those in the immune system. Furthermore, ketones may reduce chronic inflammation by binding to receptors on inflammasomes, molecules that regulate inflammation in immune cells. Chronic inflammation is associated with several conditions, including cancer, arthritis, and the aging process itself.

In another study conducted by Bath University, researchers are examining the effects of ketone supplements on the physical health and cognitive function of 30 healthy individuals between the ages of 60 and 80. The month-long study, funded by UK Research and Innovation, aims to investigate whether ketones can provide an alternative energy source for brain cells in Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia.

Although a ketogenic diet has demonstrated benefits for individuals with Alzheimer's disease, ketone supplements offer advantages over dietary changes. Ketogenic diets are highly restrictive and challenging to maintain long-term. In contrast, supplements allow individuals to consume their regular diet while quickly increasing ketone levels in the blood. Furthermore, adhering to a ketogenic diet can lead to high fat intake, which may pose other health risks.

While there are small-scale human studies showing promising results, it is still too early to determine whether ketone supplements can replicate the comprehensive effects of a ketogenic diet. Experts emphasize the need for further research to better understand the potential benefits and limitations of ketones in various applications, including treatment for brain tumors and neurodegenerative diseases.

As the studies progress, researchers hope to shed more light on the potential of ketone supplements and their role in promoting mental and physical well-being, particularly in older adults.