NO BENEFIT OF INGESTING A LOW-DOSE KETONE MONOESTER SUPPLEMENT ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN TRAINED FEMALES

Authors

Anna K. Huber, University of North AlabamaFollow
Eric K. O'Neal, University of North AlabamaFollow
Gaven A. Barker, University of North AlabamaFollow
Craig R. Witt, University of North AlabamaFollow
David A. Lara, University of North AlabamaFollow
Valerie N. Forsythe, University of North AlabamaFollow
Andrew P. Koutnik, Sansum Diabetes Research InstituteFollow
Dominic P. D'Agostino, University of South FloridaFollow
Walter Staiano, University of ValenciaFollow
Brendan Egan, Dublin City UniversityFollow
Hunter S. Waldman, University of North AlabamaFollow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: β-hydroxybutyrate is one of three substrates that the brain can preferentially oxidize for meeting energetic demands. Ketone monoesters (KME) allow for the rapid elevation in circulating β-hydroxybutyrate levels without following a low-carbohydrate diet or prolonged fasting and some past work with KME have shown potential to mitigate cognitive decrements in states of fatigue, but no studies have yet been conducted in a female cohort. METHODS: Following a familiarization session and a baseline session without a mental fatiguing protocol (MF), 12 trained females completed two experimental sessions, consisting of a battery of cognitive tests (psychomotor vigilance test (PVT), task-switching, incongruent flanker) performed before (PRE) and after (POST) MF. In a counter-balanced crossover design, a ketone monoester (KME, ~188 mg·kg-1 body mass) or non-caloric placebo (PLA) were ingested before MF. Markers of cognitive performance (speed and correct responses per second), blood β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, and lactate, and subjective markers of perceived cognitive load and fatigue were collected at PRE and POST.RESULTS: KME ingestion significantly increased blood β-hydroxybutyrate (P<0.001; ~1.8 mM), decreased glucose (P<0.001; ~0.6 mM), and attenuated a ~34% rise in lactate at POST compared to PLA (P=0.04). MF significantly increased perceived cognitive workload and fatigue for both experimental trials in comparison to the control (P<0.05) but did not impair any of the cognitive variables assessed (all P>0.05). Although ingestion of a KME increased perceptions of cognitive performance compared to PLA (KME, 7.8 vs. PLA, 5.5; P=0.05), no differences were observed between groups for markers of cognition.CONCLUSION: Although changes in blood markers mimic those observed in past KME investigations, compared with PLA, KME ingestion did not affect cognitive performance following a MF protocol in trained females.

Recommended Citation

Huber, Anna K.; O'Neal, Eric K.; Barker, Gaven A.; Witt, Craig R.; Lara, David A.; Forsythe, Valerie N.; Koutnik, Andrew P.; D'Agostino, Dominic P.; Staiano, Walter; Egan, Brendan; and Waldman, Hunter S. (2024) "NO BENEFIT OF INGESTING A LOW-DOSE KETONE MONOESTER SUPPLEMENT ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN TRAINED FEMALES," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 16: Iss. 3, Article 49.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol16/iss3/49