Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

The Effect of Ketone Esters on Forearm Glucose Metabolism

This research is exploring how a drink containing ketones, which are naturally made by your body, might influence how your muscles use sugar. Our bodies produce ketones, and they can play a role in managing blood sugar levels. Scientists believe ketones could be a helpful tool for treating various health problems or even for helping people recover better after exercise. The main goal of this study is to discover if drinking a ketone supplement can increase how much sugar our muscles take in from the blood. The findings from this research will help us learn more about how our blood sugar is controlled, which could be important for understanding and potentially preventing conditions like type 2 diabetes.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Exeter

Enrolment target

Start

11 Nov 2024

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2026

Healthy

What is this study about?

You might have heard of ketones before; they're natural substances that your body produces, especially when you're using fat for energy. Scientists are becoming very interested in ketones because they seem to have an impact on blood sugar levels. This could be really important for understanding and helping with various health conditions, or even for improving how well our bodies recover after physical activity.

This particular study wants to find out if a special drink, which contains ketones, can help our muscles take up more sugar from our blood. Normally, after we eat, sugar goes into our blood, and our muscles are one place it gets used. If our muscles don't take up sugar efficiently, it can lead to higher blood sugar levels, which is a risk factor for conditions like type 2 diabetes. By studying how ketones affect this process, we can gain valuable insights into how our bodies control blood sugar.

The knowledge we gain from this research is really important. It will help us better understand the basic ways our body works and how different things, like ketone supplements, might influence our metabolism. This understanding could eventually pave the way for new ways to support health and manage conditions related to blood sugar, without making any direct medical recommendations at this stage.

Key takeaways

This study aims to understand how ketone drinks influence muscle sugar use.
It could provide new knowledge about blood sugar control and metabolism.
Participants will be healthy adults, aged 18-40.
Both a ketone supplement and a dummy (placebo) drink will be used.
The research helps scientists learn more about potential future health applications of ketones.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be a healthy adult between 18 and 40 years old. Both men and women are welcome to participate.

However, there are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have any diagnosed long-term health problems with your metabolism (like diabetes), or if you have heart disease, this study might not be right for you. We also can't include people who are pregnant, or who smoke.

Additionally, if you've recently had a muscle or bone injury, or if you're taking any medications that the research team thinks might affect the results of the study, you wouldn't be able to participate. You also shouldn't have any allergies to the ingredients in the supplement, such as ketones, lactose, or milk protein.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 40 years old?
Do you consider yourself generally healthy with no diagnosed long-term illnesses?
Are you a non-smoker?
Are you not pregnant?
Do you have no known allergies to ingredients like ketones, lactose, or milk protein?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Details about what taking part involves would be explained fully if you consider joining. Generally, studies like this might involve a few visits to a research facility. During these visits, there would likely be assessments to measure your blood sugar levels and how your body reacts to the ketone supplement. This could involve having blood samples taken. You would be asked to drink either a ketone supplement or a placebo (a dummy drink) and then have your body's response monitored for a period. There won't be any long-term follow-up after the study visits are completed. The total duration of your involvement, from start to finish, would be clearly explained by the research team.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer the benefit of contributing to new scientific understanding about how our bodies use sugar and the role of ketones, which might eventually help others. There might be some minor risks, such as discomfort from blood draws or temporary side effects from the supplement, like a mild stomach upset, though these are typically rare. You would be fully informed of any potential risks before deciding to join. Remember, you can choose to leave the study at any time, even if you’ve already started, without giving a reason, and it won't affect your future medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Nutritional Physiology Research Unit, University of Exeter
Verified postcode
Exeter, United Kingdom

Common questions

What exactly are ketones?

Ketones are natural substances made by your body, especially when it's using fat for energy instead of sugar.

What is a 'placebo supplement'?

A placebo supplement looks and tastes like the real thing but doesn't contain any active ingredients. It helps us compare the effects of the actual supplement.

Will I know if I'm getting the ketone drink or the placebo?

No, you usually won't know at the time. This is done to make sure the results are as fair and unbiased as possible.

Why is it important to study how muscles use sugar?

How well your muscles use sugar is important for keeping your blood sugar levels healthy and can affect your risk for conditions like type 2 diabetes.

Do I need to change my diet for this study?

Specific instructions about diet or anything else would be fully explained by the research team if you decide to take part.