BHB and Cognition During Exercise-Heat Stress

University of South Carolina

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Caffeine; Dietary Supplement: Carbohydrate; Dietary Supplement: Beta-Hydroxybutyrate

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07010666

Pro00139698

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study investigates how consuming a ketone ester (BHB) along with caffeine impacts cognitive performance under heat stress, similar to what military personnel experience in hot environments. The extreme heat can impair brain function, affecting decision-making and performance, which is critical for Special Operations Forces (SOF). BHB provides an alternative energy source for the brain, potentially improving brain blood flow and cognition, particularly during "stressful" situations. By comparing ketone and carbohydrate intake with caffeine, this study aims to find better ways to maintain mental sharpness during stressful conditions. The results could help enhance the safety and effectiveness of military operations.

Full description

This study aims to examine the effects of ingestion of 25g of BHB ketone ester and 4 mg/kg of caffeine on cognitive performance during exercise-heat induced hyperthermia when compared to carbohydrate combined with the same dosage of caffeine. This will be the first study to investigate the effects of ketone ester ingestion on cognition during exercise-heat induced hyperthermia in endurance-trained adults. Further, this study has the potential to impact the safety and mission success of SOF by improving cognitive performance when making critical decisions in a physiologically compromised state.

Enrollment: 18 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Healthy adult male and female participants who are between 18 and 35 years of age (inclusive).
2. Are in good general health (no active or uncontrolled diseases or conditions) and can ingest the assigned amount of fluid at each visit.
3. Have a body mass index (BMI) between 17.0 and 29.9 kg/m2 (inclusive).
4. Exercise regularly as per physical activity guidelines for Americans3 [structured exercise for a minimum of 150 cumulative minutes per week (low end) to 500 cumulative minutes of exercise per week (high-end)] and willing to maintain the same level of physical activity throughout the study period.
5. Can maintain their exercise status at the beginning of the study throughout the study period.
6. Can achieve a peak oxygen consumption at screening that is at least 55 ml/kg/min.
7. Have normal or acceptable to the investigator vital signs (BP and HR) at screening.
8. Able to agree to the requirements and restrictions of this study, willing to give voluntary consent, able to understand and read the questionnaires, and carry out all study-related procedures.

Exclusion criteria

1. Female participants who are lactating, pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study.
2. Carry a diagnosis of diabetes.
3. Weigh less than or equal to 80 pounds at any visits.
4. Answer "yes" to any of the questions asked on the screening questionnaire.
5. Have a history of a diagnosis of celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis, steatorrhea, unstable thyroid disease, major affective disorder, psychiatric disorder that required hospitalization in the prior year, immune disorder (i.e., HIV/AIDS), cancer (except localized skin cancer without metastases or in situ cervical cancer within 5 years prior to screening visit).
6. Use any dietary supplements that may impact hydration status within the 30 days prior to the baseline visit (Familiarization Trial/Visit 2). Participants must observe a 30-day washout period of no supplementation to be eligible.
7. Consume more than two standard alcoholic drinks per day.
8. Use of inhalables, smokables, or the like (e.g., cigarettes, vaporizers, water pipes, or cannabis) within 30 days prior to the first dose of the study product or for the duration of the study.
9. Have a medical condition that may impact ability to exercise or ability to ingest prescribed fluid volume.
10. Smoking tobacco products.
11. Have a history of alcohol or substance abuse in the 12 months prior to the screening visit.
12. Are cognitively impaired and/or unable to give informed consent.
13. Have a known sensitivity, intolerability, or allergy to any of the study products or their excipients, or any of the rescue medications.
14. Have a current or previous diagnosis with SARS-CoV-2 in the three months prior to screening.
15. Have had major surgery three months prior to screening or have a planned major surgery during the course of the study.
16. Have received or use test product(s) in another research study in the 28 days prior to baseline visit, or longer if the previous test product is deemed by the investigator to have lasting effects that might influence the eligibility criteria or outcomes of the current study.
17. Have any other active or unstable medical conditions or use medications, supplements, or therapies that, in the opinion of the investigator, may adversely affect the participant's ability to complete the study or its measures or pose a significant risk to the participant.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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18 participants in 2 patient groups

Ketone Supplementation

Experimental group

Description:

Participants received 25g of BHB ketone ester and 4 mg/kg of caffeine.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Beta-Hydroxybutyrate

Dietary Supplement: Caffeine

Control

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants received 25g of carbohydrate and 4 mg/kg of caffeine.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Carbohydrate

Dietary Supplement: Caffeine