Ketones & Antioxidants
Ketones are a fascinating substance which your body naturally produces in large volumes during fasting states. In the absence of glucose, the body fuels itself with ketones. It turns out, higher blood serum levels of ketones are associated with a variety of health benefits.
I am thrilled to have access to high quality, naturally-fermented exogenous ketones as a supplement technology. This is state of the art nutrition.
I have heard it said that ketones are like an operating system. They provide the body with more than just energy: ketones are signalling molecules. They can bind to DNA and promote expression of certain genes.
Ketones in the body are active in three ways:
1) ketones in the blood are transported into cells where they are used for energy
2) they bind to receptors on cell membranes and communicate with other cells & influence behaviour
3) ketones enter the cell’s nucleus, where they bind directly to DNA, influencing gene expression and protein synthesis
One important job which ketones do is improve your body’s natural ability get rid of waste and reduce stress.
“ Ketones can basically reduce oxidative stress” – Dr Angela Poff
What is oxidative stress?
Oxidative stress occurs when there is too much garbage in the body. Waste bi-products are a normal part of energy metabolism but your health depends on your body’s ability to clean and dispose of the garbage. Antioxidants are your body’s clean up crew. The end goal of antioxidants is to reduce oxidative stress.
People take antioxidants as supplements or try to get them from foods. Did you know that, your body makes its own antioxidants? Studies show that the ketone beta-hydroxybutyrate increases the body’s production of antioxidants.
Cells are tiny but very complex in composition and behaviour. Your cells constantly respond to information. They gather information about your environment from the foods you eat, pathogens in the surroundings and toxins. Your cells respond to the nutrients you ingest, or lack there of, as well as your lifestyle. Your DNA is a palette and your lifestyle influences which genes are expressed. DNA is not destiny, it is possibility.
Ketones in your body increase your body’s natural defence mechanism against oxidative stress by increasing the expression of genes which code for antioxidants. In the presence of ketones, your body is naturally better able to stay clean & healthy.
Ketones enter the cell’s nucleus and bind directly to the DNA, at sites which code for genes used to make antioxidants. The ketones can directly promote the creation of proteins which make up antioxidants.
In recent years, researchers have studied the functional effects of ketones within the cell. Many peer-review papers have been published. It has been found that the ketone beta-hydroxybutyrate influences the expression of genes which code for antioxidants.
Consuming antioxidants through supplements and food is a great idea but you can also improve your antioxidant levels by creating an environment within your body which optimizes the production of endogenous antioxidants. You can create this environment by fast and /or consuming exogenous ketone supplements.
Ready to see what ketones can do for you?
Click the link below to learn more:
Sources:
Keto 101 – Ketones and Oxidative Stress
