Pre-meal ketone supplementation reduced postprandial glucose, lipid, and ghrelin concentrations in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A study published in Diabetologia reported findings from two randomised, participant-blind crossover studies conducted at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.

In study 1, 14 participants with T2DM treated with metformin or lifestyle intervention alone consumed 30 g of KE, KS, or placebo 30 minutes before a mixed meal test on three separate occasions. The incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for glucose decreased by 36% (95% confidence interval [CI] 14–57) with KE and by 22% (95% CI 1–44) with KS compared with placebo. Both ketone supplements reduced postprandial NEFA and ghrelin concentrations. KE also reduced triglyceride levels.

In study 2, ten participants consumed varying doses of KE (0 g, 10 g, 20 g, and 40 g) at different time points before an oral glucose tolerance test. KE reduced glucose iAUC in a dose-dependent manner. The largest reductions occurred when KE was ingested 30 or 60 minutes before the test. No serious adverse events were reported. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea and diarrhoea, occurred transiently.

These findings show that pre-meal ketone supplementation reduced postprandial glucose, lipid, and ghrelin concentrations in adults with T2DM.