Skip to content
LIMITED TIME - GET 30% OFF COLD BREW LATTE Shop now
  • Shop
  • Health Upgrades
  • Subscribe & Save
  • Recipes
  • Learn
  • Main Menu
  • Shop
  • Coffee
  • MCT Oil
  • Proteins
  • Food & Drink
  • Supplements
  • Other
  • Shop All Products
  • Main Menu
  • Health Upgrades
  • Guides
  • Supplements
  • Shop All Products
  • Main Menu
  • Subscribe & Save
  • Main Menu
  • Recipes
  • Snacks
  • Breakfasts
  • Main Dishes
  • Beverages
  • Desserts
  • Keto
  • Paleo
  • Shop All Ingredients

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Main Menu
  • Learn
  • Where to Start
  • Health Upgrades
  • Bulletproof Blog
  • Books
  • Shop All Products
  • Shop
  • Ground
  • Whole Bean
  • Single-Serve Pods
  • Starter Kits
  • Cold Brew
  • Creamers & Mix-Ins
  • View all

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Shop
  • Brain Octane Oil
  • MCT Oil
  • View all

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Shop
  • Collagen Protein
  • Collagen Protein Bars
  • Collagen Protein Plus Support
  • View all

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Shop
  • Protein Bars
  • Cold Brew
  • Fatwater
  • Chocolate Bars
  • View all

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Shop
  • Mood & Memory
  • Performance & Immunity
  • Detox & Gut Health
  • Sleep
  • View all

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Shop
  • Tech
  • Coffee Mugs & Bottles
  • Books
  • View all

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Health Upgrades
  • Immune Boost
  • Sleep Hacks
  • Brain Upgrades
  • Weight Loss & Diet
  • Anti-Aging
  • View all

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Health Upgrades
  • Mood & Memory
  • Performance & Immunity
  • Detox & Gut Health
  • Sleep
  • View all

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Recipes
  • Snacks
  • Breakfasts
  • Main Dishes
  • Beverages
  • Desserts
  • Keto
  • Paleo
  • View all

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Learn
  • About Bulletproof
  • Bulletproof for Beginners
  • Bulletproof Coffee: The Official Recipe
  • What makes Bulletproof Coffee Beans Different?
  • What are MCT Oils?
  • What is Collagen Protein?
  • Starter Kits
  • Newsletters & Guides

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Learn
  • Immune Boost
  • Sleep Hacks
  • Brain Upgrades
  • Weight Loss & Diet
  • Anti-Aging

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Learn
  • Diet
  • Recipes
  • Supplements
  • Sleep
  • Gut Health
  • View all

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
  • Learn
  • Super Human
  • Game Changers
  • Head Strong
  • The Bulletproof Diet
  • Bulletproof The Cookbook
  • View all

Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

Learn More
Bulletproof Logo
  • Shop

    Coffee

    Ground Whole Bean Single-Serve Pods Starter Kits Cold Brew Creamers & Mix-Ins View all

    MCT Oil

    Brain Octane Oil MCT Oil View all

    Proteins

    Collagen Protein Collagen Protein Bars Collagen Protein Plus Support View all

    Food & Drink

    Protein Bars Cold Brew Fatwater Chocolate Bars View all

    Supplements

    Mood & Memory Performance & Immunity Detox & Gut Health Sleep View all

    Other

    Tech Coffee Mugs & Bottles Books View all Shop All Products

    Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

    Learn More
  • Health Upgrades

    Guides

    Immune Boost Sleep Hacks Brain Upgrades Weight Loss & Diet Anti-Aging View all

    Supplements

    Mood & Memory Performance & Immunity Detox & Gut Health Sleep View all Shop All Products
    Chocolate Dipped Collagen Protein Bar

    Limited Time Offer

    CHOCOLATE DIPPED BAR

    For a limited time only get new Chocolate Dipped Bars for $19.99 ($35.98 value).

    Shop

    Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

    Learn More
  • Subscribe & Save
  • Recipes

    Recipes

    Snacks Breakfasts Main Dishes Beverages Desserts Keto Paleo View all Shop All Ingredients
    making a smoothie

    Featured Recipe

    BULLETPROOF COFFEE: THE OFFICIAL RECIPE
    VIEW RECIPE
    Collagen Protein Tub

    Featured Product

    UNFLAVORED COLLAGEN PROTEIN
    SHOP NOW

    Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

    Learn More
  • Learn

    Where to Start

    About Bulletproof Bulletproof for Beginners Bulletproof Coffee: The Official Recipe What makes Bulletproof Coffee Beans Different? What are MCT Oils? What is Collagen Protein? Starter Kits Newsletters & Guides

    Health Upgrades

    Immune Boost Sleep Hacks Brain Upgrades Weight Loss & Diet Anti-Aging

    Bulletproof Blog

    Diet Recipes Supplements Sleep Gut Health View all

    Books

    Super Human Game Changers Head Strong The Bulletproof Diet Bulletproof The Cookbook View all Shop All Products

    Subscribe & Save 10% + Free Shipping over $35

    Learn More
Skip To Content
Account
Cart
Skip To Content

Share

product
https://www.bulletproof.com/diet/keto/butanediol-ketosis/ article-34967 What’s the Deal with Butanediol and Will It Put You In Ketosis? https://www.bulletproof.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Nitric-Oxide-Supplements_Nitric-oxide-enhances-muscle-recovery-300x160.jpg 1 USD InStock Keto Ketosis article Diet

What’s the Deal with Butanediol and Will It Put You In Ketosis?

By: Dave Asprey
July 30, 2019

What’s the Deal with Butanediol and Will It Put You In Ketosis?

  • People have been using keto supplements containing 1,3 butanediol, a chemical that’s used to make solvents, as a way to raise ketones.
  • The idea is that it breaks down into BHB, which is the ketone body you make when you’re in deep ketosis.
  • It does raise your blood ketones, but there are downsides to it.
  • Read on to find out why I don’t use butanediol or other ketone esters, and what I do to boost ketones instead.

People have been using keto supplements containing 1,3 butanediol, a chemical that’s used to make solvents, as a way to raise ketones. The idea is that it breaks down into BHB, which is the ketone body you make when you’re in deep ketosis. But does butanediol work?

I’ve experimented with exogenous ketones, and I actually looked into developing my own ketone supplement. As I understood more about exogenous ketones, I decided against it. In this article, I explain why I’m not a fan of butanediol and what I use instead to boost ketosis.

Quick note: the butanediol that’s in keto supplements isn’t the same thing as 1,4 butanediol, which is used as a street drug and converts to gamma hydroxybutyrate. That stuff is dangerous.

Four reasons why I do not use butanediol as a keto supplement

1. It tastes terrible

And I mean, really terrible.

I’ve never tasted jet fuel, but my guess is it’s comparable to that. Or a strong antiseptic. Or paint thinner.

It’s hard to get it down. When I tried ketone esters in the past, my body’s instincts kicked in and my gag reflex went into overdrive. My body really didn’t want me to swallow it. Humans aren’t meant to drink things that taste like solvents.

There are better ways to raise your ketones. For example, Bulletproof Coffee is delicious, creamy, and craveable. You’ll look forward to your ketone hit every morning — not dread it.

More Diet Tips From Bulletproof

  • Keto Bodybuilding Diet Tips from an Expert, Plus Meal Ideas
  • What Makes a Protein Complete?
  • Real Talk: Do Diets Work?
  • #BETHEPROOF: How Bulletproof Coffee Helped Fuel My Life 180

2. I didn’t notice a difference in my performance

walking lunges- glute exercisesWhat I saw on my keto meter didn’t match what I felt. After I took butanediol, my blood ketones went up, but I didn’t get the energy and brain power that I get by getting into ketosis other ways.

Something was missing. Until the scientists figure out what that is, I’m going to trust what I feel. Actually, I’m going to trust what I feel even when scientists disagree. You know your own body better than anyone does.

3. Butanediol is new to the keto supplements game

Butanediol isn’t widely studied and hasn’t been around for very long. It’s too early to tell what the effects are, good and bad. Since it’s not regulated, the only way to tell whether there are adverse effects from using butanediol is to wait for people to report adverse events when they have them.

There are plenty of times when I’m more than willing to be the guinea pig. This isn’t one of those times. When you have a hard time getting something down, there’s a reason. Listen to your body.

Instead, I’ll opt for Brain Octane Oil. A UCSD study showed that caprylic acid, the medium chain fat that makes up Brain Octane Oil, raises ketones more efficiently than diet alone.[1] You’ve been eating medium chain triglycerides since you were born (it’s in breastmilk), and your body knows what to do with them.

4. Butanediol is crazy expensive

I’m talking $20-40 a week, if you’re using it every day.

That’s insane, especially since ketosis is free and ketosis with a boost is super cheap, less than $1 a day. There are more useful ways to spend your money.

Truth is, it’s not that difficult to get into ketosis, and after you get over the hump of keto flu, it’s easy to slip in and out of ketosis as needed. Here’s a guide to get started with a ketogenic diet.

Join over 1 million fans

Sign-up for the Bulletproof mailing list and receive the latest news and updates!

 

Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for direct, individual medical treatment or advice. It is the responsibility of you and your healthcare providers to make all decisions regarding your health. Bulletproof recommends that you consult with your healthcare providers regarding the diagnosis and treatment of any disease or condition. Products sold on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About Dave Asprey

Dave Asprey is founder of Bulletproof, and creator of the widely-popular Bulletproof Coffee. He is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, host of the Webby award-winning podcast Bulletproof Radio, and has been featured on the Today show, Fox News, Nightline, Dr. Oz, and many more.

References

[1] https://academic.oup.com/cdn/article/1/4/e000257/4555134

TAGS

Ketosis

Related Bulletproof Diet Tips

7 Muscle-Building Meals for a Keto Bodybuilding Diet_header

Keto Bodybuilding Diet Tips from an Expert, Plus Meal Ideas

A person scooping Bulletproof Complete Daily Energy Collagen Protein into a smoothie

What Makes a Protein Complete?

A dietitian working on meal plans with a table of nutritious food

Real Talk: Do Diets Work?

Matt Beck, owner of Float8 Wellness Lounge, standing in front of a branded mural

#BETHEPROOF: How Bulletproof Coffee Helped Fuel My Life 180

STAY BULLETPROOF: SUBSCRIBE TODAY

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

SHOP

  • Coffee
  • MCT Oils
  • Proteins
  • Food & Drink
  • Supplements
  • Other
  • All Products

Learn

  • Bulletproof for Beginners
  • Recipes
  • Newsletters & Guides
  • Bulletproof Blog
  • Books

CUSTOMER CARE

  • Contact Us
  • Shipping Policy
  • Return Policy

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • Press
  • Careers
  • Customer Reviews

PARTNERS

  • Store Locator
  • Wholesale
  • Affiliate Program
  • Coach Training
  • Students

†Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice. | ©Bulletproof 360, Inc. 2013–2021

  • Privacy Policy |
  • Terms |
  • Reseller Policy