Overview
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 ?
Uses & Effectiveness ?
Insufficient Evidence for
- Athletic performance. Early research on the use of beta-hydroxybutyrate for athletic performance is mixed. One small study shows that taking a chemical called 3-hydroxybutyl-3-hydroxybutyrate, which turns into beta-hydroxybutyrate in the body, might help athletes to run faster. But other studies show that taking beta-hydroxybutyrate before cycling doesn't decrease fatigue or improve power while cycling.
- 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.
Side Effects
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 and Warnings
Interactions ?
We currently have no information for BETA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE (BHB) overview.
Dosing
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