Ketone Supplementation in Eating Disorders

Last updated: August 28, 2025
Sponsor: University of California, San Diego
Overall Status: Active - Not Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Bulimia

Anorexia

Vomiting

Treatment

Kenetik Ketone Drink

Clinical Study ID

NCT05507008
804669
  • Ages 18-65
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This study will investigate the effects of ketone supplementation on eating behavior including drive to binge eat or restrict, mood and anxiety in individuals with anorexia or bulimia nervosa. In addition, the investigators will contrast the effects of active ketone supplementation versus placebo on electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement. All subjects enrolled in the study will undergo EEG on two consecutive days at the beginning of the study, after active ketone supplementation or placebo drink, matched in taste to the ketone drink. Days will be randomized. Thereafter, all subjects will take the ketone supplementation drink for two weeks, twice daily.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Must currently meet DSM-5 criteria for Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or OSFEDAnorexia or Bulimia Nervosa based on the MINI diagnostic interview

  2. Be medically stable as assessed by a comprehensive medical and behavioral evaluationconducted by a study physician

  3. English as primary spoken language.

  4. Ability to respond to EMA questions up to 6x per day within 60 minutes of receivingthe message.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Psychotic illness/other organic brain syndromes, dementia, somatization disorders orconversion disorders

  2. Current substance abuse or dependence in the past 3 months

  3. Physical conditions (e.g., diabetes mellitus, pregnancy) known to influence eatingor weight

  4. Medical conditions associated with ketoacidosis: type 1 diabetes mellitus, acutepancreatitis, alcoholic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, hepatitis or Boerhaavesyndrome (esophageal rupture)

  5. History of significant head trauma

  6. Indication of intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder

  7. Known allergy to any of the KenetikR drink components: D-beta-hydroxybutyric acid (D-BHB), Stevia, Monkfruit, Potassium Bicarbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate PotassiumSorbate or Taste Task Solutions: Sucrose, Potassium Chloride, Sodium bicarbonate.

Study Design

Total Participants: 40
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Kenetik Ketone Drink
Phase:
Study Start date:
October 13, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
December 30, 2026

Study Description

The goals of the study are:

  1. to test the effect of BHB as a nutritional supplement for AN and BN and 2) to test the ingestion of BHB on brain function.

Subjects will complete a battery of self-assessments and a diagnostic assessment in order to determine eligibility and for characterization of behavior to be used in later analyses. After eligibility is confirmed, subjects will complete 2 EEG scans on separate days after ingestion of Ketone supplement drink or placebo and will complete a taste reward task during the EEG scan. Subjects will then complete 2 weeks of daily ketone supplementation and self-assessments.

Connect with a study center

  • University of California San Diego

    San Diego, California 92121
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of California San Diego

    San Diego 5391811, California 5332921 92121
    United States

    Site Not Available

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