In recent years, much has been made of the potential of ketones when it comes to athletic performance. The number of benefits is impressive, to say the least, with improved cognitive function, faster recovery and increased endurance, all potential outcomes of ketone supplementation.
Now that deltaG – a ketone developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford and the National Institutes of Health with funding from DARPA’s “Metabolic Dominance” program – has arrived at Aid Station, we’re taking a moment to dig into what ketones are, and how deltaG could help you unlock another level of performance.
What are ketones?
Ketones are molecules that develop in the liver when your body breaks down fat as an energy source instead of glucose. This state, which is known as ketosis, sees ketones travelling through the body, via the bloodstream, to provide an alternative source of energy to the muscles and brain.
What do ketones do to your body?
In everyday life, ketones are produced during times of deficit. When your body isn’t getting enough carbohydrates, which are converted to glucose, it turns to fat instead. Yum yum. Accessing ketones as a fuel source has, in the past, only occurred when the body is low on glucose, but research suggests that ketone supplements can induce the body into a new metabolic state: performance ketosis.
When a body is in performance ketosis, it can use ketones for energy while maintaining a normal level of glucose; in other words, you’ll gain all the benefits of ketone energy without the fatigue brought on by low glycogen stores. In theory, you’ll also have an energy reserve for later.
Introducing deltaG: the Oxford Ketone Ester
The result of a joint project between the University of Oxford and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Oxford Ketone Ester – commercially available as deltaG – was developed as an energy source for soldiers that would decrease fatigue and improve performance, both physical and mental, over five days of continuous battle conditions. And with $65 million in research and development, 70+ clinical studies and 60+ patents behind it, deltaG has proven itself to be more than a game changer.
The benefits of deltaG
deltaG, which asserts itself as a new nutritional category of “exogenous ketones” to complement proteins, carbohydrates and fats, is said to enable humans to reach new performance heights under extreme conditions.
The benefits include:
- Improved brain health
A 2020 study investigating brain network stability found that participants consuming deltaG experienced an 87% improvement in brain network stability compared to glucose, which actually decreased stability.
- Improved endurance
A 2019 study found that cyclists increased their power output by 15% when using deltaG in a recovery protocol during strenuous training.
- Improved heart health
A 2019 study found that ketone bodies have been shown to increase cardiac efficiency by as much as 36% compared to glucose alone.
- Improved cognitive performance
Preliminary data from a 2021 study indicates a significant positive relationship between elevated cerebral blood flow and improved cognition – a 7% improvement – following deltaG supplementation.
- Other benefits
Increased power? A boost in protein synthesis? Improved muscle glycogen resynthesis? Okay, we’re listening.
How do you take deltaG?
How you consume deltaG will depend on your motivation for using it in the first place.
deltaG for endurance:
Consume one serving 30 minutes before any workout, training session or event. For extended work, take another serving every subsequent two hours for extended work. Individuals weighing less than 68kg may want to start with half-bottle servings.
deltaG for recovery:
Consume one serving immediately after a workout, training session or event. It’s best to wait a further 20–30 minutes before consuming any other recovery nutrition.
deltaG for cognition:
Consume one serving for any activity requiring enhanced cognitive energy; deep work, speaking engagements or recovery after a troubled sleep, for example.
Keen to try ketone supplementation for yourself? Buy deltaG here.
