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Amid all the hubbub and hoopla, exogenous ketones have emerged as a buzzy and controversial topic, gaining notoriety in recent months for an appearance on the popular TV show Shark Tank. Wholesome as they may at first seem, exogenous ketones are touted as a cure-all by the supplement industry for an astonishing range of health issues: not only weight loss but heightened energy, mental clarity and even workout performance. Exogenous ketones are the next big thing, the ads insist, but how much of the hype is true, and how much is horse shit? What exactly are exogenous ketones, anyway?

Defining Exogenous Ketones

Exogenous ketones are a form of supplement that provides ketones that aren’t made by the body. Ketones are compounds that the human body produces as it breaks down fat for energy, and they’re an alternative energy source to glucose. They are commonly used with a ketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating program that aims to encourage the body to burn fat for fuel as a substitute for carbohydrates.

These supplements are available as powdered drink mixes, capsules or liquids, and most frequently consist of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) salts, a form of ketone body that can be readily absorbed. The palatable nature of these supplements makes it possible for people to experience ‘therapeutic ketosis’ without undertaking any special diet. Exogenous ketones have been touted as an effective ergogenic aid, for improving fat-burning or body composition, increasing mental clarity, and providing a sustained lift in energy levels while preventing the devastating crashes that plague diets high in carbohydrates. But whether these claims are accurate, and whether or not it is actually beneficial to supplement with ketones, is quite controversial, at least among experts in the field.

This suggests that exogenous ketones might enhance exercise performance and recovery, burn more fat and suppress appetite, but the current knowledge is limited to a few intervention-period studies of short duration, and thus the long-term safety and efficacy of these supplements is yet to be elucidated. It’s also important to remember that exogenous ketones are not a quick fix, especially when it comes to weight loss or athletic success. For best results, it is advisable to use these supplements in conjunction with an overall healthy diet and regular exercise.

Shark Tank Appearance

The popularity of exogenous ketones peaked when a company that produces the supplements appeared on Shark Tank, the popular TV show where entrepreneurs pitch products to a panel of wealthy investors. The entrepreneurs claimed that their exogenous ketones could help consumers ‘hack’ ketosis and burn fat, as well as enhance their workouts and improve their mental clarity – all without cheating or ‘working for it’, as the show’s host, Kevin O’Leary, challenged in response to the product’s purported benefits.

While the Sharks were interested in the product, they were already criticising the scientists’ claims – ‘nonsense’, said a glum-faced Mark Cuban – leaving the company with a deal with just one of the Sharks. Viewers were right to be perplexed. Yet the guilt-free alternative had already been given a platform to feed the public’s appetite for magic science, and that platform may have been powerful enough.

Appearing on Shark Tank helped usher exogenous ketones into the mainstream, persuading many to try these supplements themselves. Consumers want to believe that these expensive supplements will revitalise them and help them stay thin. But if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Before buying any prepackaged weight-loss solution, do your research and consult your healthcare provider. Just because it’s available doesn’t mean it’s best for you.

Common Misconceptions

A common myth about exogenous ketones is that you can use them to lose weight without having to make any other changes in your diet or lifestyle. The evidence that exogenous ketones aid in weight loss (at least in the short term) is largely from studies that used these supplements along with a very low-carb, high-fat diet, or that divided dieters into two groups with one group given an active ketone ester and the other given a placebo. In reality, exogenous ketones won’t serve as a magic bullet to offset poor eating and exercise habits.

But unless you’re supplementing your ketogenic diet and workout routine with exogenous ketones, you’re not going to see anything like this. At best, they’re an additive to an already-healthy lifestyle. Don’t just swallow a canister expecting you’ll wake up miraculously shredded and purposeful. Like everything else, exogenous ketones have their downsides; potential side effects of exogenous ketones include digestive problems, headaches, and electrolyte imbalances. If you want to try them, do it under the supervision and direction of the manufacturer.

The second is that they’re for everyone. For those that participate in sports, or want to lose weight and sync up with their friends, exogenous ketones might very well be for them. But not for all. Claims of health improvement aren’t supported by rigorous double-blind pilot studies. People with type 2 diabetes; those who take prescription drugs for producing energy, such as stimulants; those at risk of or with kidney disease; and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn’t take exogenous ketones. It’s always necessary to check with your healthcare provider before taking supplements, particularly if you’re on medications or suffer from some underlying condition.

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