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Hi,
Something interesting is happening with ketones. What started as a niche supplement for elite endurance athletes has quietly become a mainstream staple across completely different groups.
We are seeing working professionals keeping them at their desk for afternoon focus sessions. Weekend warriors using them before big training blocks. Parents are asking about them after hearing how they help with mental clarity and sustained energy.
The shift happened fast, and it's not because of marketing hype—it's because ketones actually deliver on what they promise.
🚀 What ketones actually are:
Ketones are molecules your body produces when it breaks down fat for energy. Normally, this happens when you're low on carbs—either from fasting, following a ketogenic diet, or during long endurance efforts when you've depleted your glycogen stores.
There are three types of ketones your body makes: acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone. When you supplement with exogenous ketones, you're typically getting beta-hydroxybutyrate, which is the most abundant and usable form.
💪🏽 How they work for athletes:
Your muscles can use ketones directly as fuel, but more importantly, they act as a metabolic signal that changes how your body uses energy. When ketones are present in your bloodstream, your muscles become more efficient at using both fat and the carbs you're consuming.
Research shows ketones can reduce your reliance on stored glycogen by about 20%. This means you're preserving that precious muscle glycogen for when you really need it—like that final climb or sprint finish.
Ketones also improve how your mitochondria function. They produce more ATP (cellular energy) per unit of oxygen consumed compared to glucose. This translates to better oxygen efficiency during exercise.
There's also evidence that ketones help buffer lactate accumulation, allowing you to maintain higher power outputs before hitting that burning sensation in your legs.
🛏️ Recovery benefits:
Post-exercise, ketones act as signaling molecules that helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Studies show athletes using ketones post-workout have lower markers of muscle damage and faster normalization of performance metrics.
How to use Ketones:
Try taking one shot about 15 minutes before mentally demanding workouts—intervals, tempo sessions, anything requiring sustained focus. The cognitive benefits are noticeable.
For sessions over an hour, try taking two shots beforehand. During longer efforts, you can try taking another halfway through if you are starting to fade.
Post-workout, try to consistently taking one shot and see if your are able to recovery faster and your sleep score improves.
The taste issue and a game-changer:
Most ketone shots taste pretty rough, but people "deal" with it because the performance benefits are worth it.
The good news? Ketone-IQ now comes in those Peach and Green Apple flavors that are delicious! And just since July, we now have Ketone-IQ available in convenient 6-packs. The 6-pack is the perfect size to really give ketones a proper trial across several workouts and see how they work for you.
-The Feed.
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