New Study Suggests Ketosis-Inducing Supplement May Improve Neurological Health

Peter Attia, MD, host of The Drive podcast and founder of Early Medical, has highlighted a recent study exploring the potential benefits of 1,3-butanediol (BD), a supplement that induces ketosis without the need for strict ketogenic diets. The study, conducted by Cigliano et al., examined the effects of BD supplementation on rat models and found significant improvements in markers of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and synaptic function in the hippocampus.
Key findings included reductions in ER stress and increases in BDNF, a protein critical for neuronal growth and survival, in BD-treated animals compared to controls. While calorie restriction played a role in some benefits, the study demonstrated that BD supplementation provided unique advantages beyond merely reducing caloric intake.
However, the study also noted limitations, including the short duration of the intervention and the lack of functional assessments of cognitive performance. Additionally, the level of ketosis achieved through BD supplementation was significantly lower than that seen with a true ketogenic diet.
Despite these limitations, the research offers promising evidence that ketosis-inducing supplements may have distinct benefits for neurological health, potentially offering an alternative for individuals who struggle to maintain a strict ketogenic diet. While further research is needed, particularly in human trials, the findings suggest that BD could play a role in protecting against neurodegenerative diseases and age-related cognitive decline.

Published: 7/20/2025