Evidence supporting the use of: Ketone
For the health condition: Memory and Brain Function
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Ketones, specifically in the form of exogenous ketone supplements (such as ketone esters or salts) and endogenous ketone production via ketogenic diets, have been investigated for their effects on memory and brain function. The scientific rationale is that ketones, particularly beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), serve as an alternative energy source for the brain, especially when glucose metabolism is impaired, as can occur in aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. Several studies in animals and humans suggest that ketones may improve cognitive performance, particularly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease. Clinical trials have shown modest improvements in memory and cognitive scores with ketogenic interventions or exogenous ketone supplementation, but these effects are not universal, and larger, longer-term studies are needed. The strongest evidence exists in the context of neurological diseases with compromised glucose metabolism, rather than in healthy adults. Mechanistically, ketones may reduce neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and amyloid-beta accumulation, all of which are implicated in cognitive decline. However, while there is a growing body of scientific research and mechanistic plausibility, the overall level of evidence is moderate, warranting a rating of 3. Traditional medicine systems did not use isolated ketones for memory or brain health, as the concept is rooted in modern biochemistry.
Other ingredients used for Memory and Brain Function
2'-Fucosyllactoseacai berry
acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
asparagus
astaxanthin
waterhyssop
beet
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
black currant
black garlic
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
Indian frankincense
broccoli
caprylic acid
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
Chinese salvia root
choline
cinnamon
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
fish protein
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
ginkgo biloba
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
green tea
guarana
guayusa
hesperetin
huperzine A
inositol
jujube
kale
krill oil
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-serine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tyrosine
lactobacillus reuteri
lecithin
lion's mane
lutein
luteolin
maca
mackerel
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
moringa
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
naringin
niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oat
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
perilla
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
pollen
polygala root
pomegranate
pregnenolone
prolyl endopeptidase (PEP)
pumpkin
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhodiola
rutin
saffron
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
selenium
black ginger
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spinach
spirulina
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
threonic acid
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
almond fruit
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
velvet bean
vinpocetine
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
mulberry
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
suma
jiaogulan
tinospora cordifolia
lingzhi
morus
root tuber
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
cistanche
lotus seed
royal jelly
terpene lactones
purslane
yerba mate
biota seed
goji berry
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Arachidonic Acid
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Anserine
Alpha glyceryl
Andrographolide
Avocado
Agmatine
Adrafinil
Acetylcholine
Amentoflavone
Agarwood
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Acer Truncatum bunge
Aniracetam
anthocyanosides
Black Seed
Bilobalide
Butylphthalide
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Breadnut
Blepharis
Beef liver
Baccosides
Bacopin
Baicalein
Basidiomycota
Boswellia
Brahmi
Bacopa
Blue-Green Alage
Bifidobacteria
bacoside
Baicalin
Bird's nest
Centrophenoxine
Camellia sinensis
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cyanobacteria
Carnosine
Catalpol
Chebulic acid
Cod Liver Oil
Codonopsis
Cyanidin
Cruciferous
Centella asiatica
Cinnamic Acid
Chocolate
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Creatine
Catuaba
Convolvulus prostratus
Crocetin
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Cytidine
cola nut
Canscora
Currant
Carnosic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Danshen
Dendrobium
Decursin
Decursinol
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Date
Egg
Elk antler
Emblicanin
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Glycine
Periwinkle
walnut
yohimbine
Other health conditions supported by Ketone
Alzheimer's DiseaseAutism
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Depression
Diabetes
Epilepsy
Fatigue
Inflammation
Memory and Brain Function
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson's Disease
Seizures
Weight Loss