Keto Bhb: Friend Or Foe To Your Liver?

Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is a chemical that the body produces when it's running low on carbohydrates. It can also be made in a lab and taken as a supplement. BHB is one of the three ketone bodies that the liver produces, and it makes up about 78% of the ketones in the blood.

BHB is generally considered safe, but some people may experience side effects like stomach upset, diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach pain when taking very high doses.

There has been some research into the potential benefits of BHB, including its ability to reduce inflammation and improve cognitive function. However, more studies are needed to confirm these effects.

While BHB is generally safe for healthy individuals, those with certain conditions, such as liver failure or liver conditions, should avoid the keto diet, as it may worsen their condition.

BHB is a molecule that is considered a ketone body

BHB, or beta-hydroxybutyrate, is one of three types of ketone bodies produced by the body when it is running low on carbohydrates. The other two are acetoacetate and acetone. BHB is the most abundant of the three, making up around 78% of ketones found in the blood.

The body can use two main fuel sources: glucose and ketones. Glucose is derived from the breakdown of sugar and carbohydrates. When there is an excess of glucose, it is stored in the liver and muscles in the form of glycogen. When those reserves are full, the glucose is stored as fat.

Ketones are produced when glucose and glycogen are not available, which is the purpose of using fat as the primary energy source. The body produces three types of ketone bodies: acetoacetate, acetone, and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). BHB is the primary energy-producing ketone body and is present in significantly higher quantities in the blood than the other two.

BHB is formed when fat is broken down. It provides an alternative energy source for every part of the body, including the brain. BHB is more than just an energy source, however. It also acts as a signalling molecule, triggering protective responses in cells.

BHB can be produced endogenously by the body or taken exogenously as a supplement. The only way to truly optimise and sustain BHB levels is by producing them endogenously through the ketogenic diet. This involves getting 60-80% of calories from fat, 15-35% from protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates.

Exogenous BHB supplements are typically taken in the form of BHB salts or esters. BHB salts are a highly effective supplement that is easier to digest, purchase, and consume. They are made from a combination of BHB and mineral salts such as potassium, calcium, sodium, or magnesium. BHB esters are the raw form of BHB and are more difficult to find, expensive, and may negatively affect the gastrointestinal system.

BHB has been found to have a range of benefits for the body and brain, including:

• Stimulating the expression of health-promoting genes
• Reducing inflammation
• Fighting oxidative stress
• Increasing longevity
• Enhancing cognitive function
• Helping to fight and prevent cancer
• Boosting insulin sensitivity
• Enhancing workout performance
• Accelerating fat loss

The keto diet can help reduce fat in the liver and even reverse the condition

Fatty liver disease is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver, causing inflammation and dysfunction. There are two types: alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Alcoholic fatty liver disease is caused by excessive alcohol consumption, while NAFLD is associated with obesity, diabetes, and elevated triglycerides.

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that can be an effective treatment for NAFLD. The diet works by reducing insulin levels and promoting the breakdown of fatty acids, which are then used for energy. This process, known as ketosis, can help reduce fat accumulation in the liver and improve insulin sensitivity. Additionally, the keto diet can reduce lipogenesis, which is the process of converting carbohydrates into fatty acids.

Research has shown that the keto diet can lead to significant weight loss and improve blood sugar parameters, reduce cardiovascular risk factors, and decrease the need for medications to manage high blood pressure and diabetes. A 2020 meta-analysis also concluded that, in addition to calorie restriction, the distribution of macronutrients plays a role in NAFLD treatment, with high-fat keto diets having a greater impact on liver fat content.

It is important to note that the keto diet may not be suitable for everyone and should be done under medical supervision. Some potential side effects include gastrointestinal issues, dehydration, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and reduced athletic performance. Additionally, the keto diet can increase cholesterol levels and liver enzymes, which may lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the benefits of improved glycemic control may outweigh the potential risks of elevated LDL cholesterol.

Overall, the keto diet can be an effective tool for managing NAFLD, but it should be approached with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

BHB is safe to consume and can be made in the body or in a lab

Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is a molecule that is considered a "ketone body". It is one of the main molecules that helps your body produce energy in the absence of glucose. BHB can be made in the body or in a lab and is safe to consume.

When your body is done using up a certain substrate to create energy (acetyl-CoA) after eating carbohydrates, it will start to find creative ways to get the job done. This is something that you want to happen. This is the switch to ketosis. If you didn't do this, you'd be dead after fasting for a very short period of time. Under normal circumstances, the liver will start making beta-hydroxybutyrate from long-chain and medium-chain fatty acids that are liberated from your fat tissue. You are turning fat into fuel. This is why people can fast for months at a time and still function like normal humans.

Beta-hydroxybutyrate can also be made in a lab and taken as a supplement. It seems to help the brain and nerves work better and may also provide energy to muscles to improve exercise ability. BHB is used for dry eye, athletic performance, migraine, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

BHB is safe to produce in your liver and to supplement with. Levels of 0.5 - 3.0 mmol measured in a blood test are completely normal. Diabetic ketoacidosis will not happen to you if you have a normal pancreas and are essentially not diabetic. If you produce any insulin at all, you shouldn't have a problem.

BHB can help the brain and nerves work better

BHB, or beta-hydroxybutyrate, is a molecule that is considered a "ketone body". It is one of the main molecules that helps your body produce energy in the absence of glucose. It is quite essential if you are using your own fat for fuel or taking BHB as an exogenous ketone supplement to increase energy production.

BHB is important because it can freely float throughout your body in your blood, crossing many tissues where other molecules can’t, then it is processed into energy. It can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and provide your brain with energy at any time. This is one of the main reasons why increased levels of ketosis lead to improved mental clarity, focus, and reduction in neurodegenerative diseases.

BHB is also an energy-dense molecule that naturally fuels your brain, heart, and muscles during periods of low carbohydrate intake. It can be used to fuel your workouts, fight snack cravings, and give you an energy boost. It can also help to improve cognitive function, including memory, focus, attention, and learning.

BHB can also help to prevent bone deterioration. Research finds it can prevent bone degradation by stopping the production of cells called osteoclasts in subjects with osteoporosis. It can also strengthen your bones by preventing bone density decline, increasing resistance to bone deformation, and boosting the strength of the femur.

The keto diet can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies

In addition to the vitamins mentioned above, a person on the keto diet may also be deficient in biotin, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, chromium, iodine, selenium, magnesium, and molybdenum. These micronutrients are consistently low or non-existent in keto diets.

To avoid vitamin and mineral deficiencies on the keto diet, it is important to eat a varied diet, including organic grass-fed meat, pastured chicken and pork, wild-caught fish, eggs, bone broth, colorful raw vegetables, and leafy greens. If your diet is very restricted, consider taking a multivitamin that contains all the micronutrients mentioned above.

It is also important to note that the keto diet is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with eating disorders, fat metabolism disorders, liver failure or other liver conditions, and thyroid problems should avoid the keto diet. If you are taking medication for diabetes or hypertension, consult a healthcare professional before starting the keto diet as it may affect your medication dosage.

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