Ketone supplements and insulin sensitivity in overweight older adults

KETO-SENSE - Effects of Ketone Bodies on Insulin Sensitivity

NA · University of Aarhus · NCT07359625

This study will test whether an oral ketone supplement, given with or without growth hormone, can improve insulin sensitivity and energy use in overweight adults aged 55–70.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment10 (estimated)
Ages55 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Aarhus (other)
Locations1 site (Aarhus N)
Trial IDNCT07359625 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

In a randomized crossover design, ten overweight but otherwise healthy adults (age 55–70, BMI 25–35) will each complete four study visits at Aarhus University Hospital and receive four different interventions in random order. Interventions are: growth hormone plus ketone supplement, growth hormone plus placebo, saline infusion plus ketone supplement, and saline plus placebo. Advanced PET/CT imaging, indirect calorimetry, and tissue biopsies will be used to measure fat breakdown, tissue glucose uptake, and whole-body energy expenditure after each intervention. The within-subject crossover design is intended to isolate the acute metabolic effects of ketone supplementation and interactions with growth hormone.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults 55–70 years old with BMI 25–35 kg/m2 who are otherwise healthy (well-controlled hypertension allowed) and able to attend four in-person visits in Aarhus, Denmark.

Not a fit: People with active acute or chronic illnesses, uncontrolled medical conditions (including untreated hypertension or diabetes), or those outside the 55–70 age or BMI 25–35 range are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, ketone supplementation could offer a non-pharmaceutical means to improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health in older adults with overweight.

How similar studies have performed: Some small human studies have shown that exogenous ketone supplements produce acute changes in fuel use and substrate metabolism, but clear evidence that they improve insulin sensitivity in humans is limited, so this approach remains relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age range: 55-70 yr
* BMI: 25 - 35 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

\- Any evidence of acute or chronic illnesses, apart from well-controlled hypertension, that is judged by the investigators to impact the study

Where this trial is running

Aarhus N

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Insulin Resistance, Obesity & Overweight, Energy Metabolism, Ketone Body Metabolism, insulin resistance, Overweight, Growth hormone, Ketone bodies

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.