Examining the Feasibility of Prolonged Beta-Hydroxybutyrate-Containing Supplement Drink Consumption in Adults with...

To conduct a double-blind, remote, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial to determine the feasibility of repeated and prolonged beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)-containing supplement ingestion in free-living adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Individuals living with T2D (N = 40) were randomized to 90 days of thrice daily BHB-containing supplement ingestion (ketone; 5 g of R-β-hydroxybutyric acid with 5 g of R-1,3-butanediol; i.e., 3 × 10g of daily ketone servings) or a taste-matched calorie-free placebo. Feasibility was defined based on a priori specified criteria using recruitment rate, drop-out rate, compliance, gastrointestinal (GI) symptomatology, and data availability. Exploratory efficacy analyses were conducted for clinical outcome measures.

Most feasibility criteria were met, except there was a relatively high drop-out rate in the ketone (8 participants, 40%) compared to the placebo (2 participants, 10%) group, mostly related to GI symptoms and unpleasant supplement taste. Including completers and data from drop-outs up to the point of withdrawal, compliance was similar in both groups, with 17 ± 4 and 18 ± 4 drinks/week (out of a possible 21) consumed in the ketone and placebo groups, respectively. Drink acceptability appeared similar between groups; however, participants in the ketone group required greater effort to consume the drinks over time. Drink acceptability was negatively correlated to GI symptoms (r= -0.656; p = 0.001), suggesting greater potential for supplement use in individuals experiencing fewer GI symptoms. Despite higher drop-out, ketone supplementation appeared to have both acute and chronic glucose-lowering effects based on continuous glucose monitoring metrics.

This remote pilot trial demonstrated mixed feasibility results. Recruitment, trial procedures, and data availability were strong but there was relatively high drop-out in the ketone group due to GI issues and taste. However, individuals who tolerated the supplement had good compliance over 90 days and there appeared to be evidence for glucose-lowering efficacy.