KetoneAid KE1

KE1 is the latest creation from Ketoneaid. We like to think of it as KE4's younger sibling. Priced at a fraction of the cost, KE1 packs a mighty punch.

KE1 is an exciting new product that comes as a single shot bottle, tastes not nearly as bad as KE4 AND is just $7.99 per bottle (versus almost $40 a bottle for KE4).

KE1 is half Ketone Ester (same as in KE4) and half Ketone Salts, which, according to KetoneAid, elevate the total effective dosage to 5g of Ketones.

This formula is much more than a diluted version of KE4 with 5g of active BioBHB. On a gram per gram basis, KE1 delivers the same elevation in blood ketones as the less-diluted version KE4, while still delivering the following performance benefits:

• Increased endurance performance: by sparing muscle glycogen stores, lowering blood lactate levels, and increasing efficiency of muscles
• Improved muscle recovery: increased rate of glycogen resynthesis (replenishing energy stores) and protein synthesis (rebuilding muscles), decreased muscle breakdown
• Enhanced cognitive ability: ketones can cross the blood-brain-barrier to provide an efficient source of fuel for neurons, allowing you to sustain peak cognitive performance for longer
• Support fasting and dietary goals: can allow you to stay in ketosis while consuming carbs

Sounds great... but what are Ketones?

Great question! Ketones are one of your body's natural energy sources and are produced during the conversion of fat to fuel. A team at Oxford, in response to a challenge from the US Army, developed drinkable ketones in the identical form produced naturally in the body. It is this drinkable form of ketones that all the buzz is about.

How are the Pros Using Ketones? 

The Pros using Ketones are using it in a variety of different ways as it's an incredibly flexible fuel source. I'll break down each strategy below:

1. Ketones during racing.

 Pros are using ketones combined with carbs during long endurance events as an additional fuel source. A study at Oxford showed that elite cyclists rode 400+ meters further in a 30 minute time trial when fueled with ketones. Not only can ketones be converted into energy, but they also help with mental cognition and keeping you sharp during competition. Team Sky was the first to do this back in the Wiggins years and recent news reports revealed a large part of the British Olympic Team was using Ketones in the London Olympics in 2012. Lotto-Visma (and many other teams are using Ketones during this year's Tour)

2. Ketones for Recovery 

Last year is when demands for Ketones exploded in the marketplace after Peter Hespel from KU Leuven in the Netherlands published a study where he had 20 cyclists perform a 3-week indoor training program to simulate a professional training camp (or mini Tour de France). Sustainable training load in week 3 as well as power output in the final 30 min of a 2-h standardized endurance session were 15% higher in the group using Ketones. What this showed us is that you can get an even bigger performance gain from Ketones in relationship to next day recovery if you're doing a heavy training week or multi-day competitions. The protocol was to consume 25g of ketones immediately post-workout and then again 30 minutes before bed.

3. Ketones for fasting/losing weight

 A number of pro riders in the early season have been using ketones during fasted workouts to burn fat and lose weight. This recent study shows how just one shot of ketones reduces appetite. I can share that I have firsthand knowledge of the top teams and riders using ketones for weight loss. The actual weight loss probably comes from the calorie deficit incurred, versus the ketones, but the ketones provide the energy (and mental acuity) to enable them to complete long training sessions while fasted. I've also followed a fasted / ketone fueled training protocol myself and lost 10 lbs in 2.5 weeks. 

What's the difference between Salt and Ester?

The purest form of Ketones is the BHB Ketone Ester which is in the HVMN Ketone Ester (unavailable until further notice) and in the KetoneAid KE4. But, I gotta tell you- they both taste terrible. It's like drinking paint thinner, it's really THAT bad. That said, I'm now used-ish to it and it doesn't bother me much at all (amazing the things we can train our bodies to do!).

The Ke1 product is a novel approach that combines a small amount of Ketone Salts with Ketone Ester. The idea is that you need less Ester because the salts boost the performance. In my personal experience, it works well.

BUT I'd advise you to avoid the huge number of Ketone Salt products on the market right now. None of the studies have been conducted on these salt-only products and they typically have very high and unhealthy (my opinion) levels of sodium. In the case of Ke1 the salt load is quite low (the equivalent of less than a bottle of Skratch) and is mixed with Ketone Ester and the proven benefits that come along with it.

Why KE1?

KE1 was developed for athletes looking to utilize a smaller dosage of ketone ester. KE1 is diluted and equivalent to two capfuls of KE4. We love KE1 because it's formulated with 85% less salts on salt per gram basis of ketones.

Normally we shy away from salts, but the amount of sodium in KE1 is very moderate, by comparison, it is half of what is in a bottle of Skratch. Plus for any active athlete a little extra sodium, magnesium, and calcium are beneficial in replenishing electrolytes and stopping leg cramping at night. This product is VERY different than the cheap ketone salts you might see marketed online.

Salt amount:

143mg Sodium

143mg Potassium

59 Magnesium

39mg Calcium. 

We like to tell our athletes that it all comes down to convenience. KE1 is ideal for athletes. Not only does KE1 taste significantly better than KE4 it is the ideal dosage for athletes looking to optimize sleep and recovery. Most endurance athletes are having to supplement lost electrolytes during and after training.  

One bottle of KE1 comes packed with 5g of BioBHD, 143mg of Sodium, 143mg of Potassium, 59mg of Magnesium, and 39mg of Calcium. This is 80% less salt than most ketone salts on the market but still enough to aid in recovery. 

Does it help with sleep?

Are Ketones safe? 

Are Ketones Legal?  

How We Use It:  

If you're using it for recovery, you want to take a dosage right after training and then again 30 minutes before bedtime

During the offseason, we love to use it as a means of calorie restriction.  

Sleep Protocol:

Use 1/4 up to a full bottle right before bed. Women should start with 1/4 bottle (Tablespoon). Most men should start with a 1/2 a bottle. Try it for 2 nights, if it isn't working double the dosage for the next 2 nights. You don't want to take too much as it can have the opposite effect, and you might experience a shallower sleep, so start low and move up. I find it best to keep it right by the nightstand and take it after all reading and tv watching, so you;re as close to sleep onset as possible.