Category: biosynthesis
Ketogenesis (cross-link: ketone_body_synthesis) produces β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), acetoacetate, and minor acetone under low-insulin / high-fatty-acid flux states. BHB is the dominant circulating ketone, metabolized in brain + heart + muscle to acetyl-CoA → TCA via BDH1 + SCOT (succinyl-CoA-3-ketoacid CoA transferase — absent in liver, which prevents the liver from oxidizing its own ketones). Exogenous ketone supplements bypass dietary keto: (1) BHB salts (Na/K/Ca/Mg-BHB) raise BHB to ~0.5-1 mM (sub-physiologic vs 1-5 mM with strict keto diet); (2) Ketone esters (HVMN Ketone-IQ / ΔG / 1,3-butanediol diester) achieve 2-4 mM. Claims: cognitive enhancement, endurance, neuroprotection, weight loss adjunct. Long-term clinical outcome data limited; mechanism plausible via mitochondrial uncoupling + HDAC inhibition + GPR109A signaling.