Article Summary
If you’ve been reading about keto and ketones, you’ve probably come across the words “ketone salts” and “ketone esters.” They both have the word ketone, so you might think they are essentially the same.
However, these exogenous ketones have different functions and purposes. This article will break down what each compound is and why ketone esters are more beneficial than ketone salts.
Ketone Salts vs. Esters: The Similarities
Ketones are simple compounds made up of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. While you can take ketone exogenously (i.e., in the form of a food or beverage created outside the body), ketones are also found naturally in the body. The liver produces ketones when there isn’t glucose for the body to burn. But they’re always present in the blood at varying levels.
The body produces three ketone bodies: acetoacetate (AcAc), 3-beta-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and acetone. These are known as endogenous ketones (meaning produced within the body).
Ketone salts and esters are two types of exogenous ketones (originating from outside the body) that can be used to elevate the level of ketones in the body. They are both nutritional aids that can help you achieve a state of nutritional ketosis more quickly than is possible with diet alone.
What Are Ketone Salts?
While both ketone salts and esters are exogenous ketones, they are made from different substances that impact how they are produced.
Ketone salts, as the name implies, come in a powder form that you can either add to food or take in a capsule. They are made from beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) bonded to electrolytes like calcium, magnesium, potassium or sodium.
Ketone Salts Pros
Some people find it difficult to follow the ketogenic diet because of its strictness. Ketone salts provide an alternative way of getting into ketosis without following the strict dietary requirements of the ketogenic diet.
They are widely available online or where vitamins are sold.
Ketone Salts Cons
As you probably guessed, reaching ketosis with ketone salts requires consuming a lot of salt. To give you an idea, the ones we surveyed ranged from 125mg to 1800mg a serving. That translates to 6 – 78% of the recommended daily value of sodium. And that’s only for a single serving.
So if you’re already struggling with high blood pressure, or are at risk for heart disease or a stroke, the amount of salt in ketone salts may outweigh the benefits that the ketones offer.
Even for healthy individuals, consuming too much in the form of salt can lead to an electrolyte imbalance. This can cause muscle weakness or cramps, sleep problems or restlessness.
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What Are Ketone Esters?
Instead of binding to a salt, esters bind to an alcohol compound. But don’t worry – the alcohol is present at the molecular level and doesn’t increase the alcohol content of the beverage.
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Where to Buy Ketone Esters
Ketones are beneficial for weight loss, cognitive function and athletic performance. You can raise the level of ketones in your body through exercise, fasting, or a diet low in carbs. But luckily, that’s not the only way to get the benefits of ketones.
