Category: ketone
Aliases: (S)-3-hydroxybutyrate, L-BHB
The non-natural enantiomer. Not a fuel substrate — BDH1 (β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase) is stereospecific for R-BHB. L-BHB retains HDAC inhibition (weaker) and some signalling activity but does not produce ATP. Cleared more slowly than R-BHB → can accumulate after repeated racemic-salt dosing.