BETA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE Overview Information
Beta-hydroxybutyrate is a chemical that is made by the body to provide energy in times when not enough carbohydrates or sugars have been eaten. Beta-hydroxybutyrate can also be made in the lab and taken as a supplement.
Beta-hydroxybutyrate is placed in the eye for dry eye and taken by mouth for athletic performance, migraine, Alzheimer disease, memory loss with age, Parkinson disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
How does it work?
Beta-hydroxybutyrate is a chemical that is used as energy by some cells of the body when sugar levels are low. Beta-hydroxybutyrate seems to help nerves and the brain to work better. Beta-hydroxybutyrate might be used as energy by muscles in the body to improve exercise ability.
BETA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE Uses & Effectiveness 
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Athletic performance. Early research shows that taking a chemical called 3-hydroxybutyl-3-hydroxybutyrate, which turns into beta-hydroxybutyrate in the body, might help athletes to run faster.
- Dry eye. Applying eye drops containing beta-hydroxybutyrate doesn't seem to improve eye symptoms in patients with dry eyes.
- Obesity. Early research suggests that beta-hydroxybutyrate might help to preserve muscle mass and reduce feelings of hunger in obese people who are on a very low-calorie diet or a starvation diet.
- Alzheimer disease.
- Decline in memory and thinking skills that occurs normally with age.
- Migraine.
- Parkinson disease.
- Other uses.
BETA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE Side Effects & Safety
When taken by mouth: A chemical that turns into beta-hydroxybutyrate in the body, called 3-hydroxybutyl-3-hydoxybutyrate, is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken daily for up to 5 days. Some people might have stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. These side effects are more likely to happen when very high doses are used.
When applied into the eye: Beta-hydroxybutyrate is POSSIBLY SAFE. An eye drop containing 1% beta-hydroxybutyrate has been used without side effects for up to 4 weeks.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if beta-hydroxybutyrate is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.BETA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE Interactions
We currently have no information for BETA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE Interactions
BETA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE Dosing
The appropriate dose of beta-hydroxybutyrate depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for beta-hydroxybutyrate. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
