Ketones as Statins
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wabmester
Posts: 2,748 Member
Definition of statin
: any of a group of drugs (as lovastatin and simvastatin) that inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol and promote the production of LDL-binding receptors in the liver resulting in a usually marked decrease in the level of LDL and a modest increase in the level of HDL circulating in blood plasma
Recent research paper on exogenous ketones:
An Ester of β-Hydroxybutyrate Regulates Cholesterol Biosynthesis in Rats and a Cholesterol Biomarker in Humans.
When formulated into a beverage for human consumption subjects consuming a KE drink (30-energy %) had elevated plasma βHB which correlated with decreased mevalonate, a liver cholesterol synthesis biomarker. Partial replacement of dietary carbohydrate with KE induced ketosis and altered cholesterol homeostasis in rats. In healthy individuals an elevated plasma βHB correlated with lower plasma mevalonate.
Very interesting paper (behind a paywall), but they found that if you drink ketones, it increases LDL receptor concentration in the liver and reduces the substrates to make cholesterol. Basically the same mechanism and same effects as statins!
: any of a group of drugs (as lovastatin and simvastatin) that inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol and promote the production of LDL-binding receptors in the liver resulting in a usually marked decrease in the level of LDL and a modest increase in the level of HDL circulating in blood plasma
Recent research paper on exogenous ketones:
An Ester of β-Hydroxybutyrate Regulates Cholesterol Biosynthesis in Rats and a Cholesterol Biomarker in Humans.
When formulated into a beverage for human consumption subjects consuming a KE drink (30-energy %) had elevated plasma βHB which correlated with decreased mevalonate, a liver cholesterol synthesis biomarker. Partial replacement of dietary carbohydrate with KE induced ketosis and altered cholesterol homeostasis in rats. In healthy individuals an elevated plasma βHB correlated with lower plasma mevalonate.
Very interesting paper (behind a paywall), but they found that if you drink ketones, it increases LDL receptor concentration in the liver and reduces the substrates to make cholesterol. Basically the same mechanism and same effects as statins!
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Wow, interesting, since DH has struggled with side effects of statins!0
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One of the negative side-effects of statins is the reduction in ubiquinone synthesis. These guys tested specifically for that effect, and found that ketones did the same thing.
Keep in mind, though, that they are targeting much higher-than-normal blood levels of ketones in this experiment.
... high fat ketogenic diets are not able to
raise blood ketones beyond 1.5 mM and are often not
palatable, alternatively, prolonged caloric restriction
is more effective at raising blood levels but it presents
serious issues with patient compliance. We have developed
an alternative method to rapidly elevate blood
ketones with minimal dietary modification which avoids
the stated issues with these other methods. (R)-3-hydroxybutyl
(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate, a novel ketone ester
(KE), is hydrolyzed during digestion, and oxidized in
the liver, forming two molecules of β-hydroxybutyrate.
The KE has been demonstrated to safely increase blood
ketone levels to 5–6 mM in humans and rodents.0 -
Sounds like we should be supplementing Co-Q10 then? Albeit we probably get more than others due to a possible higher rate of red meat consumption, but it doesn't sound like that will adequately even the balance.0
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I guess I wouldn't worry about it unless you show symptoms of deficiency. Since most of us don't attain anywhere near those levels of ketosis, it's probably not a concern at all. Mostly just an interesting application of exogenous ketones, but it does highlight that we're all biohacking with unknown long-term consequences....
FWIW, I found this study when I was looking at other studies to understand "keto-adaptation." Only rodent studies really dig into the mechanisms and side-effects.
Interestingly, rodents do seem to adapt by increasing the amount of brown adipose tissue -- the active fat that keeps us warm.
So, what is the effect of ketosis on weight loss? Decreased appetite? Increased metabolic activity? Maybe a little of both!0 -
PaleoInScotland wrote: »Sounds like we should be supplementing Co-Q10 then? Albeit we probably get more than others due to a possible higher rate of red meat consumption, but it doesn't sound like that will adequately even the balance.
I agree with you and have been taking Co-Q10 for many years since I have not found a downside to taking them.
drweil.com/drw/u/ART03367/Coenzyme-Q10-CoQ10.html0
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