July 23, 2020
10 Ways Ketones Are Protective Against Infections |High-Intensity Health with Mike Mutzel
Key Takeaways
- Ketones and ketone bodies protect against viral infection through several modalities
- Ketones inhibit glycolysis which can slow or stop virus growth and replication
- Controlling inflammation is a key component to protect against infections
Introduction
Mike Mutzel reviews a newly published scientific article, “Investigating Ketone Bodies as Immunometabolic Countermeasures against Respiratory Viral Infections” and highlights the 10 ways ketones and ketone body metabolism may protect against infection.
Host: Mike Mutzel (@MikeMutzel)
Ketones’ Effect on Viruses and Infections
- Metabolism and the immune system are two sides of the same coin
- In metabolic diseases, anti-inflammatory, immune drugs are used as a treatment
- Viruses rely on glycolysis to foster growth
- Ketones inhibit glycolysis which is one of the main effects
Ten Ways Ketones May Offer Protection Against Viral Infection
- Increasing levels of NADPH enzyme complex which has been shown to help cells maintain redox status
- Ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) has been shown to increase levels of Nrf2 which activates genes involved in making anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and phase 2 detoxifying enzymes
- A ketogenic diet can reduce pro-inflammatory signaling by inhibiting NLRP3
- Inhibiting HCAR2 and NF-kappa Bm, both of which are accelerators of inflammation
- Affect mitochondrial membrane permeability to enhance apoptosis (cell death)
- Inhibit glycolysis which slows or stops the growth of virus and replication
- Failing heart tends to rely on ketones for fuel – supporting cardiovascular output and function might be protective
- A hypoxic state can drive inflammation, ketones can improve tolerance to hypoxia
- Ketones improve blood sugar regulation
- Ketones possess anti-catabolic and cognitive preservation properties
