Ketone supplements to protect blood vessels and kidneys from high-salt diets in older adults
Dietary Ketone Supplementation as a Novel Strategy to Attenuate the Adverse Vascular and Renal Consequences of High Dietary Salt in Older Adults
This project will see if taking an oral ketone supplement helps protect older adults' blood vessels and kidneys from the harmful effects of eating too much salt.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trustees of Indiana University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159549 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited as an older adult to take an oral ketone supplement (a ketone monoester that raises beta-hydroxybutyrate) while researchers monitor how your blood vessels and kidneys respond to a higher-salt diet. The team will collect blood and urine samples and measure blood pressure and noninvasive vascular and kidney function tests before and after supplementation. This approach builds on animal work suggesting ketones can counteract salt-related harm and uses supplements because they are easier to take than strict ketogenic diets. Study visits will likely occur at the research center and include routine testing and follow-up.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults who regularly consume a high-salt diet or who are at risk for salt-related high blood pressure or kidney problems.
Not a fit: People with advanced kidney failure, those on dialysis, pregnant people, or anyone advised by their doctor to avoid ketone supplements may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a simple supplement option to lower salt-related blood pressure and protect kidney and vascular health.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown benefit from raising beta-hydroxybutyrate and ketone supplements have been used safely in other human tests, but this specific approach in older adults is only now being tested.
Where this research is happening
Bloomington, United States
- Trustees of Indiana University — Bloomington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Robinson, Austin Tyler — Trustees of Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Robinson, Austin Tyler
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.