Ketone supplement effects on brain blood flow during exercise at high altitude
The Effect of Ketone Monoester Supplementation and High Altitude on Exercising Cerebral Blood Flow
This trial will test whether a single dose of a ketone monoester supplement changes when people reach their ventilatory threshold and how blood speed in brain arteries responds during maximal exercise at low and high altitude.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 14 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | McMaster University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Bishop, California and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07063732 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy adult members of a research expedition will receive a single acute dose of ketone monoester (0.6 g/kg) or a placebo before performing a maximal exercise test at both low altitude and at the Barcroft Research Station high-altitude site. The study measures the ventilatory threshold during exercise and the subsequent blood velocity in cerebral arteries using noninvasive ultrasound/Doppler methods. Participants must meet strict health criteria (no major cardiopulmonary or kidney disease, non-smokers, BMI ≤30, not on most prescription medications, not following a ketogenic diet). The crossover-like design compares responses after ketone versus placebo to see if ketone ingestion alters ventilatory and cerebral hemodynamic responses to maximal exercise in hypoxia.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adult expedition team members traveling to the Barcroft Research Station who are BMI ≤30, non-smokers, not pregnant, not following a ketogenic diet, and not taking prescription medications (oral contraceptives allowed).
Not a fit: People with a history of heart, lung, blood vessel, or kidney disease, current smokers, those with BMI >30, on prescription medications, pregnant individuals, or people already on ketogenic diets or supplements are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to a simple nutritional option to help preserve brain blood flow and modify breathlessness timing during intense exercise at high altitude.
How similar studies have performed: Prior small studies have shown ketone esters alter metabolism and sometimes affect exercise performance or brain metabolism, but applying them to cerebral blood flow responses at high altitude is relatively novel and not well established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: \- Must be a member of the research expedition team travelling to the Barcroft Research Station in White Mountain California Exclusion Criteria: * BMI \> 30 * No prescribed medications (oral contraceptives excluded) * History of smoking * Currently following a ketogenic diet or consuming exogenous ketogenic supplements * History of heart, lung, blood vessel, or kidney disease * Currently pregnant
Where this trial is running
Bishop, California and 1 other locations
- Barcroft Research Station — Bishop, California, United States (Recruiting)
- University of Guelph — Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.