A Deep Dive Into Ketosis: How Navy Seals, Extreme Athletes & Busy Executives Can Enhance Physical and Mental Performance With The Secret Weapon of Ketone Fuel

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Low Carb & Ketogenic Diet, Podcast

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Prepare to have your mind blown as today's audio podcast with Dr. Dominic D' Agostino takes a deep dive into ketosis – showing you how navy seals, extreme athletes and even busy executives can enhance physical and mental performance by using the secret weapon of ketones.

During this interview with Dr. D' Agostino, you're going to discover…

-Why extreme Navy Seals are using ketosis…

-Can you get into ketosis by eating ketones (and still consuming high amounts of carbohydrates) instead of eating a high fat, low carb diet?

-How ketosis can be used to control diseases such as cancer, Alzheimers, ALS…

-The mechanism by which ketones can “juice up your brain”…

-How ketosis can enhance blood vessel dilation and wound healing…

-Whether the consumption of ketones is actually safe…

-How to improve your oxygen efficiency with ketone intake…

-Why ketones can be used to enhance mental performance and not just exercise function…

-Practical ways you can use keto salts and ketones to enhance physical performance…

-And much more!

dominic d' agostinoDr. Dominic D’Agostino, PhD (pictured right) is an assistant professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine.

He teaches courses in molecular pharmacology and physiology, and maintains involvement in several studies researching metabolic treatments for neurological disorders such as seizures, Alzheimer’s, ALS, and cancer—all of which are metabolically linked.

His entry in to this field began when, in 2007, the Office of Naval Research funded his study into seizures related to oxygen toxicity experienced by Navy SEAL divers using closed-circuit breathing apparatus. At this juncture, he came across the ketogenic diet, which has already been confirmed as an effective treatment for epilepsy and a variety of seizure disorders.

He is now studying how this same ketogenic diet and the use of ketones can be used to enhance physical and mental performance.

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.

Resources discussed in this episode:

-The book: Alzheimer's Disease: What If There Was A Cure? The Story of Ketones

-Supplement: Ketoforce

-Supplement: MCT Oil

-Supplement: Caprylic Acid (also available in MCT Oil)

-Supplement: Oxaloacetate

-Supplement: BioSteele Branched Chain Amino Acids

Additional Listening:

If you aren't too familiar with the concept of ketosis, or want to review other content I've produced on this topic, you may also want to review the following:

The Official “Ask Me Anything About Ketosis & Ironman” Premium Podcast with Ben Greenfield.

Combining Low Carb And Extreme Exercise – The Official Results Of The Great Ketogenic Ironman Experiment.

Is It Possible To Be Extremely Active and Eat A Low Carbohydrate Diet?

How To Turn Yourself Into A Fat Burning Machine By Fasting For 24 Hours Then Going Out And Do Monster Workouts Without Bonking.

How To Customize Your Diet.

Questions, comments or feedback about how to use ketones? Leave your thoughts below and I promise to reply!

Ask Ben a Podcast Question

66 thoughts on “A Deep Dive Into Ketosis: How Navy Seals, Extreme Athletes & Busy Executives Can Enhance Physical and Mental Performance With The Secret Weapon of Ketone Fuel

  1. Ashley Hall says:

    Prüvit ketones are amazing! I am so happy that it came out in the market <3 only thing that's ever worked!

  2. James Wallice says:

    Hey Ben, I heard you say that you have mixed ketones with glucose before. Is this true? If so what was the difference in effect versus taking either glucose or ketones alone? Thanks

    1. Yes for races… Feels like rocket fuel. Here's a good resource that dives into it more: https://goo.gl/2w8VBt

  3. Jerri says:

    Does ketone help with ALS? What results have you seen if any?

    1. I am not a doctor and this is not to be taken, interpreted or construed as medical advice. Please talk with a licensed medical professional about this. These are just my own personal thoughts and not a prescription or a diagnosis or any form of health care whatsoever. Anyways, Dr. Perlmutter has some fantastic resources on this: https://www.drperlmutter.com/use-ketogenic-diet-t…

  4. P.W. PRAWL, SR. says:

    I am an 81 yr old type 2 diabetic looking at kidney dialysis/replacement. Is there any kidney
    REPAIR properties in this diet?
    P.s. My brother has sever parkinsons!

    1. There is some evidence that high fat MODERATE protein low carbohydrate may help kidneys but I am not a doctor and nothing I say should be taken as medical advice!

  5. Brian says:

    I looked at the ingredients in X2 Performance and I’m shocked that anyone that’s done any reading on nutrition would buy let alone consume this product.

    OK so Green Tea, Ribose, Natural Flavors, Filtered Water, Citric Acid….OK and maybe Glucose.

    BUT Cane Sugar, Clover Honey….to the tune of 24 Grams of Sugar??? !!!

    I don’t see where it’s much better than popping down a soft drink….because that’s what it is. You get a little pump front he caffeine in the Green Tea but the rest looks like a Sugar High. D-Ribose, yes, I use it and it does help to keep my energy levels up….but all that sugar….

    I don’t get it. Your site, yes I’ve just found it, talks about low carb diet…so HOW does popping down 24g of Sugar fit into that??? It sounds so contradictory to a low carb diet and sugar is an inflammatory. It doesn’t make sense to me.

    1. MAX NORTON says:

      why no reply. Ill like to hear the answer as well.

    2. You make an excellent point! Not interested in that much sugar sending blood sugar up and causing stress to the pancreas and kidneys.

  6. mary says:

    How does Levine’s affect people with diabetes?

    1. I should begin by clarifying the fact that I am *not* a physician and this is *not* to be interpreted as medical advice. Please talk to a licensed medical professional about all of this! But I can answer in a future podcast from https://bengreenfieldfitness.com if you ask your question via audio by going to: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenGreenfield

  7. Anthony says:

    Have you tried the Keto OS supplement yet? Curious to get your assessment.

  8. ketosis weight loss says:

    I hope to submit again in the future saying that I’m back in ketosis and losing weight once more.

  9. Josh says:

    Hey Dr, just seeing if you’ve looked into the keto/os from pruvit. Just wondering your thoughts. Thanks

    1. I'm planning on trialing it soon! Stay tuned!

  10. Dan says:

    Ben are you still using you Keto Force? Any new discoveries and personal experiences?

    Thanks!

    Dan

    1. jtflottmann says:

      Dan Pruvit has released ketone salts combined with MCT at ketoauthority.pruvitnow.com

  11. chaserpb says:

    Hi,
    between 31:30 – 32:00 Dr. D´Agostino said that beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) need to convert to acetoacetate to be used the tissues. But BOHB is main ketone and preferential fuel for the brain until I know. Did he think other tissues than brain and if so what tissues (muscles)? Or he thinks entry to Citric Acid Cycle?

    Thanks

    1. Rather than getting into it here in the comments section, I direct you to my friend Peter Attia http://eatingacademy.com/nutrition/ketosis-advant…

      1. chaserpb says:

        Thanks, but I already have read and listen almost everything about his ketosis :)

        I asked because now I am writing almost 8 months book about ketosis in Slovak language with my friend Vlado Zlatos (Both we have your products and follow your work) whom work could interest you – check videos in this article fro example- http://www.vladozlatos.com/blog/clanky-o-pohybe/r…

        So I want to have right informations to the book.

        A few minutes ago I finish writing chapter about experiments of Dr. Attia (26 A4 pages) after perhaps 2 months.

        Now I am starting with you :) I am going to write about your 12-week „The Great Ketogenic Ironman Experiment“, so I am looking for everything what can I find. I have listened your podcasts and read your aricles, but I want to ask If you can provide me some more detailed informations? Lab results, Blood chemistry, spiroergometry etc? I am interested about everything.

        After publishing the book (as e-book), me and Vlado want to translate the book to english and send it to you, Dr. Attia, Phinney, Volek and so on, and we would like to cooperate with all of you. we have many plans and project about it. I was in ketosis 2 months (january, february) and now I am in again 2 months and 1 day for while. Later, I wil be in ketosis at least 1 year and during that time I will test myself for many things. Details I will brings to you later.

        So can you provide me some goo stuff about your experiments? And if so, can I contact you on your mail? my mail is [email protected] and blog is http://martinchudy.blogspot.sk . I am profi soccer goalkeeper playing for Dukla Prague – http://www.fkdukla.cz

        Thanks

        1. Shoot me an email at [email protected] and we can discuss.

  12. emily says:

    Ketoforce is palatable for me if I mix it with diet lemonade, squeeze in a big slice of lemon into the glass, and drink up. Then I immediately put the lemon slice in my mouth. Almost like a tequila shot lemon wedge….try it.

  13. zogodogo203973 says:

    Hi Ben, is there any reason you don't use KetoForce or caprylic acid in your endurance pack or during your own personal endurance events? Loved this podcast, didn't know you could actually take ketones orally!

    1. I've been experimenting with it a bit but not enough of an expert on it yet to teach others. Also there are some serious palatability issues.

  14. danco1212 says:

    I've been experimenting with Ketoforce. Using it 40 min pre workout – lifting.
    Question. When taking Ketoforce does it allow you to burn fat as fuel even if one may not be in true ketosis. Say perhaps from a large protein dose post workout where Gluconeogenesis
    may be happening or even during a PSMF to shed some body fat.

    As always Ben awesome content and thanks.

    1. Yes, you can still burn fat as a fuel but I suspect (although no fat oxidation studies exist to my knowledge) that a negative feedback loop may possibly inhibit some fatty acid conversion to ATP. But that is total blue sky thinking as the studies doesn't exist. But the cool thing is you're still getting all the physical and mental benefits of the ketones, including the anti-inflammatory and adrenaline producing effect.

  15. Dean_H says:

    Can you provide the Caprylic Acid supplement that Dominic talks about? I think your link is broken ……

  16. MatthewTS says:

    Hey Ben,

    How are you testing your ketone levels? Can you throw out a recommendation for a monitor/strips? I've been keeping my carbs under 50g for the past 10 days, but can't say that I feel a whole lot different., so I'm wondering if I'm really in ketosis. Thanks!

    1. Brock says:

      Check this out – Ben shows exactly how he tests. http://youtu.be/NBSUNxMpROM

      1. Intensemofo says:

        Those are pretty expensive, no? Something like $4 a pop.

        1. Check this out… Check out bengreenfield.metronbreath.com

          1. MatthewTS says:

            Looks great…except for the pricetag. I'm thinking more along the lines of a free glucose/ketone monitor for diabetics and a box of ketone strips, but I've seen mixed reviews on how reliable they are.

  17. korfist says:

    I was wondering if a ketogenic diet would be beneficial to sprinters as well. Always looking for ways to boost mitochondria performance.

    1. From a health standpoint, absolutely. From a performance standpoint, no clear benefit over and above carbs…

    2. Ricky says:

      Not even with something like Ketoforce with MCT’s pre-workout? What about Crossfitters using that and/or Generation UCan pre or intra workout? Think it would be enough carbs to not bonk?

      1. You'd still need to do cycling carb refeeds ideally…either in PM or on specific days of the week…

    3. Ben sommer says:

      Hi – I’m a masters sprinter. I down a large redbull w/extra sugar before my sprint sessions. These are all out, short sprints of 15-30 meters will full recovery (5+ minutes).

      The sugar is not for the muscles to perform – ATP required for 5-7 second bursts regenerates in a couple minutes. But the sugar is needed to tweak the brain and CNS. Sprinting is NEURAL – not muscular. I’m back in ketosis in a matter of hours after my workoug.

  18. jgvick says:

    Best podcast yet … I really enjoyed this one, but as usual had to listen to it a couple of times. I just don't want to miss out on anything.

  19. Sol says:

    Ben, Great interview. I know that you collaborate with Paul Jaminet. I’d love it if you’d interview him about the PHD version of the ketogenic diet that isn’t low carb.

    1. I'll definitely look into it.

  20. Kladara says:

    Hi Ben,

    I've been testing out a Vegan ketogenic diet as a triathlete and it works. I've been able to get my ketones consistently high and my blood sugar consistently low without any KetoForce or ketone esters (though I've been waiting to buy this for a while).

    I'm hoping to show that a Vegan version of the ketogenic diet can be even better than meat based one because it's richer in magnesium and all the other minerals that Dominic talks about. It's also higher in fiber which solves certain problems if you know what I mean ;-). Of course it's also a lot more humane too.

    This was the only podcast of yours I've listened to and you might have answered this previously so my apologies if my question is redundant:

    Did you carb up at all for your Ironman race and do you use the Super Starch which Peter Attia talks about?

    I'm doing Ironman Cozumel soon and I'm tempted to do it on a vegan ketogenic diet.

    Thanks so much.
    Andrea

    1. You should probably check out this https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2013/09/combi… and this for sure https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2013/10/260-3… but no, I did not carb load at all and I did use UCAN SuperStarch.

    2. BTW, I'd be interested to see your daily diet…if you care to post your "menu", or toss some photos over at http://www.facebook.com/bgfitness

      1. Kladara says:

        Sure. I'll post some yummy vegan ketogenic recipes. :-)

    3. HarleyEblen says:

      I would also be fascinated to hear about this! I had been tossing this idea around recently, but I would love to follow your progress with it instead.

      1. Kladara says:

        For sure Harley. I will post some of the results of my vegan ketogenic diet on my Facebook wall (my name is Andrea Kladar by the way so please feel free to find me on Fb). I haven't posted anything yet but I will after the race which is coming up soon. I'm excited to see how Ironman goes on the KetoVegan. As far as I know I'll be the first person to do Ironman on a vegan ketogenic diet.

        1. manas sahoo says:

          Hey Andrea,

          I just found out about this last week and it is very fascinating. I do not eat meat and eat occasionally some dairy products if I am eating out. So I am not a 100% vegan yet. I did my first marathon this year and also managed to do 2nd one in June. I have 3 more to go this year. I would like to switch to vegan ketogenic diet and do a marathon. I would love to know about your experience on your race experience and how you are getting on. Any help on this is highly appreciated. I am inspired by your story. My email id is [email protected] and you can find me on facebook too.

          regards,

          Manas.

  21. Eric says:

    Dr. D’Agostino,

    Ketoforce must dilute like crazy. They sell a .5 Liter bottle for $70 but I see ketoresearchchem sells 50mL for $200 of (pure?) keytone ester. The caprylic acid appears to only be 1mL for $50. If we purchase these concentrated products what do we dilute them with to use the dosages that you recommend. eg. 1 TBSP 1:1

    Thanks!

    1. Matt Page says:

      I am also keen to work this out any feedback yet? I contacted the company they stated that the product is pure (no dilution) that it is not water or oil soluble which is not a problem I just want to know the raw recommended dosage for the esters i.e. does 1 ml = 1.0 mmol?

    2. Matt Page says:

      I just had a bit more of a dig through, hopefully someone will tell me if Im wrong but mmol being mls of active ingredient in 1 lt of fluid then purity would be 1000mmol, correct???? if thats the case then 50mls would mean 1ml for every mmol of increased ketones is this correct?

      cheers

      Matt

      1. I don't have handy the ml to mmol conversion but another reader may, or we can send this to dr. dagostino as he many know.

      2. The concentration of the liquid at both sources are the same, 50% dilution, but you'd need to check directly with the company. It needs to be further diluted with water and pH adjusted to 7 for palatable drink.

  22. dino says:

    is there a transcript? thanks.

    1. No, sorry. We can’t afford to transcribe all the episodes yet, just the main ones with me and Brock.

    2. No, sorry. We can't afford to transcribe all the episodes yet, just the main ones with me and Brock.

      1. Matt Page says:

        I am keen to find this out also any news in this area???

  23. nickelpl8ed says:

    Ben, I'm finding a lot of Caprylic Acid supplements online, mostly in the form of gel caps/capsules. It's mostly billed as a treatment for Candida. Is this the same and/or as effective as taking it in liquid form?

    1. Yes, the Brain Octane stuff here is really good source of Caprylic acid: http://www.pjtra.com/t/R0JHTEpISUlCTEVHSUVCRkVFTEhH

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