A groundbreaking study conducted by the University of Portsmouth has revealed promising evidence that drinking ketones could improve heart health in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This marks the first time ketone esters, a supplement designed to induce ketosis, have been tested in T2D patients to assess their impact on cardiovascular function.
Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body shifts from burning carbohydrates to burning fat for energy. The study’s findings offer new insights into the potential benefits of ketone supplementation, especially in individuals with diabetes, who often struggle with inefficient glucose metabolism due to insulin resistance.
The research was inspired by the unexpected success of a new class of diabetes drugs known as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), which have not only been shown to lower blood sugar levels but also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the underlying mechanisms of this heart-protective effect were unclear, prompting further investigation.
Dr. Maria Perissiou, lead author of the study and a researcher at the University of Portsmouth’s School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences, expressed cautious optimism about the results. “While it is still early in our research, the results are encouraging. We observed a notable improvement in cardiac efficiency in participants after consuming a ketone drink compared to a placebo,” said Dr. Perissiou.
The small-scale trial involved 13 participants with T2D, who were given either a ketone ester drink or a placebo over two separate sessions a week apart. Cardiovascular function was measured 30 minutes after consumption using non-invasive methods such as electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, ultrasound to evaluate microvascular function, and infrared spectroscopy to assess blood flow in small vessels.
Results showed that the participants’ hearts were working more efficiently after consuming the ketone drink, both at rest and during moderate exercise, in comparison to when they consumed the placebo. Despite the positive findings, Dr. Perissiou emphasized the need for further research to explore the long-term effects of ketone consumption on heart health. “We only assessed the participants on a single day, so we cannot yet determine the chronic impact of regular ketone intake,” she explained.
The connection between ketones and heart health was a serendipitous discovery. Dr. Perissiou explained that the research was initially focused on understanding how SGLT2 inhibitors improve heart health. “It was through this investigation that we stumbled upon the potential heart benefits of ketones. SGLT2 inhibitors seem to induce ketosis, which may explain why patients treated with the drug show improvements in cardiovascular function,” she noted.
In diabetes, the body’s reliance on free fatty acids for energy—due to its inability to process glucose—can put excessive strain on the heart, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The use of SGLT2 inhibitors appears to help lower glucose levels, which may indirectly protect the heart. This new study suggests that ketones could play a key role in improving heart health by providing an alternative energy source for the heart.
Dr. Perissiou added that further studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore how ketones might be used as a therapeutic tool for heart health in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Related topics:
Three Molecular Drivers of Type 2 Diabetes Identified in Women Post-Pregnancy
Genetic Link Reveals Opposing Risks for Type 2 Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease
