What are the clinically proven effects of Ketone IQ on blood β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) concentrations, cognitive function, energy, and athletic performance?

Clinically Proven Effects of Ketone IQ

Based on current evidence, ketone supplements like Ketone IQ should NOT be routinely recommended for cognitive enhancement or athletic performance, as the overall evidence does not support consistent benefits and guidelines specifically advise against ketogenic interventions for cognitive improvement. 1

Cognitive Effects

Evidence Against Routine Use

• The AGA clinical practice guideline explicitly states that ketogenic interventions should NOT routinely be offered to persons with dementia to correct cognitive impairment or prevent further cognitive decline (Grade B recommendation). 1
• A systematic review found no convincing evidence for relevant cognitive or clinical benefit of ketogenic interventions, with the largest placebo-controlled trial of over 400 participants showing no effect after 26 weeks. 1

Limited Positive Findings in Specific Populations

• In patients with type 2 diabetes, β-hydroxybutyrate infusion (achieving 2.4 mM blood levels) improved working memory by 17% compared to placebo, though global cognitive performance remained unchanged. 2
• In adults with obesity, 14 days of β-hydroxybutyrate supplementation (12g three times daily) improved digit-symbol substitution test performance by 2.7 correct responses, associated with increased cerebral blood flow (+12% in common carotid artery). 3
• During ultra-endurance exercise (100km trail run), ketone ester supplementation maintained mental alertness by preventing the decline in visual reaction times (353→419ms in placebo vs. maintained in ketone group) and doubled plasma dopamine concentrations. 4

Important caveat: These cognitive benefits were observed only in specific populations (diabetes, obesity, ultra-endurance athletes) and not in healthy individuals. 2, 3, 4

Athletic Performance Effects

Blood Ketone Elevation

• Ketone ester supplementation consistently elevates blood β-hydroxybutyrate to 2-3 mM during exercise, compared to <0.3 mM in controls. 4

Performance Outcomes - Mixed Evidence

• A 2021 systematic review concluded there is insufficient evidence to support the overall effectiveness of ketone supplements in sports, with no demonstrated benefit on sports performance, cognition, or muscle recovery from acute supplementation. 5
• The UEFA expert group statement on elite football nutrition found little evidence supporting ketogenic or low-carbohydrate high-fat diets for player performance. 1

Potential Endurance Benefits (Animal Data Only)

• In rats, a ketone ester diet (30% of calories) increased treadmill running distance by 32% and maze completion speed by 38% compared to isocaloric controls. 6
• This animal data has not translated to consistent human performance benefits. 5

Recovery and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

• Ketone ester supplementation inhibited post-exercise skeletal muscle macrophage infiltration and suppressed AMPK phosphorylation for 36 hours after ultra-endurance exercise, suggesting improved muscular energy status and reduced inflammation. 4

Cerebrovascular Effects

• In adults with obesity, 14 days of supplementation increased vertebral artery blood flow (+11%), cerebrovascular conductance (+12%), and shear rate (+10%). 3
• These cerebrovascular improvements were positively associated with cognitive performance gains. 3

Safety Considerations

Gastrointestinal Effects

• Acute intake of ketone supplements may be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. 5

Long-Term Safety Unknown

• Further research is warranted on the long-term safety of repeated ketone supplement use. 5
• Potential undesirable effects include gastrointestinal problems and insufficient dietary intake when following strict ketogenic protocols. 1

Clinical Bottom Line

The evidence does not support routine use of Ketone IQ for healthy individuals seeking cognitive or athletic performance enhancement. 1, 5 The most robust guideline evidence explicitly recommends against ketogenic interventions for cognitive improvement, and systematic reviews find insufficient evidence for sports performance benefits. 1, 5

Potential exceptions where limited evidence suggests possible benefit include: ultra-endurance events exceeding 60 minutes where mental alertness maintenance is critical 4, and specific metabolic populations (obesity, type 2 diabetes) where cerebrovascular or working memory improvements may occur. 2, 3 However, even in these contexts, the evidence remains preliminary and requires confirmation in larger trials. 5