127: Ketones and Your Heart - How Ketones Protect the Cardiovascular System | Dr. Ben Bikman

Video Description

📢 Ask Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind (multilingual): https://benbikman.com/ben-bikmans-digital-ai-mind 📢 Dr. Bikman’s Community & Coaching Site, Insulin IQ: https://insuliniq.com 📢 Become an Insider, Ben’s website: https://www.benbikman.com In this Metabolic Classroom mini lecture, Dr. Bikman explores the powerful effects of ketones—particularly beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)—on the cardiovascular system. While ketones are typically thought of as a backup fuel, Ben explains how they are, in fact, an adaptive and efficient energy source that can support heart function in both healthy and failing states. Ben breaks down groundbreaking studies showing that ketones increase cardiac output, reduce vascular resistance, and improve heart function—especially in heart failure cases. He highlights the unique ability of BHB to reduce “afterload,” or the resistance the heart must pump against, effectively easing the heart’s workload. He also details ketones’ role in promoting vasodilation by acting on endothelial cells and smooth muscle, increasing nitric oxide and improving overall circulation. Beyond fuel metabolism, BHB also acts as a signaling molecule with epigenetic and anti-inflammatory effects. It can modulate gene expression by influencing histone acetylation and β-hydroxybutyrylation, leading to improved antioxidant defense and reduced inflammation via inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome—a key player in heart failure and atherosclerosis. Finally, he touches on the practical implications, suggesting both ketogenic diets and exogenous ketone supplements—particularly L-BHB—as viable strategies for enhancing cardiovascular resilience. This lecture positions ketones not just as fuel, but as potent metabolic signals capable of supporting and even restoring heart health. Show Notes/References: For complete show notes and references, we invite you to become an Insider subscriber or member. You’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A with Ben after the lecture, unlimited access to Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind, ad-free podcast episodes, show notes and references, and online, live Office Hours access with Ben. It also includes Ben’s Weekly Research Review Podcast. Learn more: https://www.benbikman.com Translation Notes: You can click the gear icon at the bottom of this video to auto-translate captions. For example, to translate into Polish, select Subtitles, choose Auto-Translate, then first choose English, then choose Auto-Translate again, then choose Polish.) Also, Dr. Bikman’s Digital Mind can interact with you in many languages: https://benbikman.com/ben-bikmans-digital-ai-mind In addition, our channel has access to YouTube’s innovative “auto-dubbing” feature. The process supports translations from English into many languages, with more to come. Click on the gear icon, then choose “Audio track” to access. (This availability is often delayed several weeks or more, so check back often.) Timestamps (approximate): 01:30 – Introduction: Ketones and the Cardiovascular System 02:42 – Lecture Overview: Energy, Vascular Effects, and Inflammation 03:53 – Heart ATP Production and Fuel Preferences 04:55 – Ketones: The Thrifty Fuel Hypothesis 07:01 – The Failing Heart Upregulates Ketone Oxidation 08:17 – Human and Animal Data on Ketone Benefits 09:31 – BHB Infusion Improves Cardiac Output 10:35 – L-BHB Further Enhances Heart Function 11:42 – How Ketones Reduce Afterload and Heart Strain 12:58 – Ketones Relax Arteries via Ion Channels and NO 14:06 – Ketones Support Endothelial Cell Health 15:09 – BHB Acts as an Epigenetic Regulator 16:23 – Beta-Hydroxybutyrylation and Gene Expression 19:01 – SGLT2 Inhibitors and Ketone-Linked Inflammation Control 20:10 – Ketones Reduce Oxidative Stress 22:36 – Ketogenic Diets and Exogenous Ketone Options 23:51 – L-BHB: The Most Potent Cardiovascular Support 24:54 – Summary: Ketones as Multifunctional Heart Allies IMPORTANT NOTE: The information presented is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Bikman is not a clinician—and, he is not your doctor. Always seek the advice of your own qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. #ketones #hearthealth #cardiovascularhealth #BHB #ketogenicdiet #exogenousketones #L-BHB #heartfailure #cardiacoutput #afterload #vasodilation #NLRP3 #antioxidants #metabolichealth #SGLT2inhibitors #ATPproduction #mitochondria #bioenergetics #insulinresistance #inflammation #drbenbikman #benbikman Ben’s favorite yerba mate: https://ufeelgreat.com/usa/en/c/1BA884 Exogenous ketones: A high-quality option is the NSF-certified goBHB from Clean Form Nutrition, where you can use the code BEN10 for a 10% discount: https://cleanformnutrition.com/products/go-bhb Ben’s favorite meal-replacement shake: https://gethlth.com (discount: BEN10) Ben’s favorite health check-up for men: https://blokes.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15)