Qualy #120 - What is the difference between ketone salts and esters?
This Qualys episode, featuring Dom D'Agostino, Ph.D., delves into the chemical distinctions between ketone salts and esters. It covers their formulation, GI tolerability of magnesium BHB, and the significant taste differences, emphasizing the need to dilute potent esters.
Deep Dive Analysis
5 Topic Outline
Distinguishing Ketone Salts from Ketone Esters
Chemical Structure and Composition of Ketone Salts
Chemical Structure and Composition of Ketone Esters
Taste and Potency of Ketone Esters
Optimizing Ketone Ester Formulations
5 Key Concepts
Ketone Salt
A ketone compound formed by an ionic bond between a ketone molecule, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate, and a monovalent or divalent cation (like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium) or an alkaline amino acid. These are also referred to as ketone electrolyte formulations.
Ketone Ester
A ketone compound formed by a covalent bond between beta-hydroxybutyrate and another molecule, such as 1,3-butanediol or glycerol. These formulations are generally more potent at raising ketone levels compared to ketone salts.
Ionic Bond
A type of chemical bond characterized by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, typically formed between a metal and a nonmetal. This is the type of bond found in ketone salts.
Covalent Bond
A type of chemical bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. This is the type of bond found in ketone esters, distinguishing them chemically from ketone salts.
1,3-Butanediol
A molecule that can be used to create ketone monoesters with beta-hydroxybutyrate. The 1,3-butanediol itself can be metabolized, contributing further to ketone body production.
5 Questions Answered
A ketone salt is formed by an ionic bond between beta-hydroxybutyrate and a cation, whereas a ketone ester is formed by a covalent bond between beta-hydroxybutyrate and another molecule like 1,3-butanediol or glycerol.
Ketone salts are typically formed by ionically bonding beta-hydroxybutyrate with monovalent or divalent cations such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, or with alkaline amino acids.
Magnesium beta-hydroxybutyrate can have poor gastrointestinal tolerability, limiting the maximum dose to prevent digestive issues.
The taste of ketone esters appears to be inversely proportional to their ketogenic potency, meaning that more potent formulations tend to have a more unpleasant taste.
Using the R-enantiomer of beta-hydroxybutyrate with the R-enantiomer of 1,3-butanediol in an ester can significantly elevate ketone levels.
5 Actionable Insights
1. Seek Professional Medical Advice
Always seek the assistance of healthcare professionals for any medical conditions and do not disregard or delay obtaining professional medical advice, as the podcast content is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice.
2. Dilute Ketone Esters
If consuming ketone esters, dilute and mix them as instructed, rather than consuming a concentrated vial directly, to avoid adverse effects like the speaker’s experience of feeling like he would go blind.
3. Manage Magnesium BHB Dosage
When consuming magnesium beta-hydroxybutyrate, be aware that GI tolerability may be limited to 1-3 grams max per dose, as higher amounts can cause gastrointestinal issues.
4. Optimize Ketone Electrolyte Formulations
For ketone electrolyte formulations, ideally spread the beta-hydroxybutyrate across monovalent and divalent cations (such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) to enhance utility.
5. Optimize Ketone Ester Potency
To achieve higher ketone levels with ketone esters, consider using the R beta-hydroxybutyrate with the R 1,3-butanediol.
3 Key Quotes
a salt is just an ionic bond, right, between the ketone molecule, beta-hydroxybutyrate, a monovalent or a divalent cation, or an alkaline amino acid like arginine, citrulline, histidine, lysine.
Dom D'Agostino
the ketogenic potency is inversely proportional to taste.
Dom D'Agostino
making a ketone ester with one, three butane diol is really cool because the one, three butane diol itself gets more substrate broken down.
Dom D'Agostino