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Metabolism

The metabolic mythos of ketones

Nature Reviews Endocrinology volume 20, page 66 (2024)Cite this article

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Ketones are water-soluble molecules that are primarily produced endogenously in the liver from free fatty acids during periods of long-term fasting or severe carbohydrate restriction. Historically denoted as ‘starvation molecules’, our understanding of ketones has undergone a number of transformations over the years. From toxic by-products of lipid metabolism during diabetic ketoacidosis to a valuable energy source for the brain and heart, emerging research in the past few years has begun to show ketones as multifaceted hormone-like signalling metabolites with therapeutic potential.

This shift in perspective was initiated through technological advances that enabled exogenous induction of ketosis via infusion of ketone bodies. In the past few years, however, the development of orally ingestible ketone supplements has obviated the need for invasive procedures or long-term dietary modifications. Thus, the discourse surrounding ketosis has acquired another dimension, namely that of a ketogenic state induced exogenously (via administration of ketone bodies) or endogenously.

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References

Original article

  • Høgild, M. L. et al. Ketone body infusion abrogates growth hormone-induced lipolysis and insulin resistance. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 108, 653–664 (2023)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

    Jonathan Low & Kaja Falkenhain

  2. Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    Kaja Falkenhain

Authors
  1. Jonathan Low
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  2. Kaja Falkenhain
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Correspondence to Jonathan Low.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Low, J., Falkenhain, K. The metabolic mythos of ketones. Nat Rev Endocrinol 20, 66 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-023-00925-1

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