Skip to Content Skip to Navigation Accessibility Policy Click to login to your Account
Get free shipping on all subscription orders + save 20% Shop Now
Bulletproof Bulletproof is a food and beverage company, known for Bulletproof Coffee and products that fuel your mind and body.
Menu
Shop
Shop
Coffee
Ground Whole Bean Single-Serve Pods The High Achiever™ Starter Kits Creamers & Mix-Ins Build Your Coffee Routine View all
MCT Oil
Brain Octane Oil MCT Oil View all
Proteins
Collagen Protein Protein Bars Collagen Protein Plus Support View all
Supplements
Greens Gummy Vitamins Daily Wellness Immune Support Stress & Sleep Gut & Digestive Health Energy & Brain Health Bone & Joint Support Build Your Wellness Routine View all
Other
Tech Coffee Mugs & Bottles Books View all
Shop All Products
Looking for a personalized product line up?
Take the Quiz
Health Upgrades
Health Upgrades
Guides
Immune Boost Sleep Hacks Brain Upgrades Weight Loss & Diet Anti-Aging View all
Supplements
Greens Gummy Vitamins Daily Wellness Immune Support Stress & Sleep Gut & Digestive Health Energy & Brain Health Bone & Joint Support Build Your Wellness Routine View all
Bulletproof Product Quiz
Product Quiz
Customize your routine

Personalize your product lineup in minutes. Plus, score 20% off!

Take Quiz
Looking for a personalized product line up?
Take the Quiz
Recipes
Recipes
Recipes
Snacks Breakfasts Main Dishes Beverages Desserts Keto Paleo View all
Shop All Products
Bulletproof Coffee Recipe
FEATURED RECIPE
BULLETPROOF COFFEE: THE OFFICIAL RECIPE
VIEW RECIPE
Beginner keto cookbook
Free eCookbook
21 Easy Recipes to Fuel Your Keto Journey
Download Now
Looking for a personalized product line up?
Take the Quiz
Learn
Learn
Where to Start
Take the Product Quiz 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
Keto Kickstart
Keto Beginners Guide Calculating Carbs Alcohol Guide Keto Foods List Dirty vs. Clean Keto Weight Loss Troubleshooting Keto Recipes
Bulletproof Blog
Diet Recipes Coffee Supplements Sleep Gut Health Lifestyle View all
Books
Game Changers The Bulletproof Diet Bulletproof The Cookbook View all
Shop All Products
Looking for a personalized product line up?
Take the Quiz
Subscribe & Save 20%
Deals
Deals Take the Product Quiz Subscribe & Save 20% expand/collapse Store Locator Account Cart
Deals Take the Product Quiz Subscribe & Save 20% expand/collapse Account Cart
Search

Share

product
https://www.bulletproof.com/supplements/keto-supplements/bhb-beta-hydroxybutyrate-keto/ article-34894 What is BHB and Should You Be Taking It on Keto? https://www.bulletproof.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/bulletproof-blog-1500-x-800-keto-dieting-brain-octane-300x160.jpg 1 USD InStock Keto Supplements Brain Octane Oil NUT04-00009 NUT04-00013 NUT04-00014 NUT04-90004 NUT04-00030 KIT12-00006 KIT12-00019 KIT12-00048 KIT12-000086 Keto Ketosis Supplements NUT06-00010 NUT06-00012 NUT08-00003 NUT08-00011 NUT08-00012 NUT08-00014 NUT08-00015 NUT08-00016 NUT08-00020 NUT08-00023 NUT08-00025 NUT08-00026 NUT08-00027 NUT08-00029 NUT08-00030 NUT08-00031 NUT08-00032 NUT08-00033 article
Home / Supplements / Keto Supplements
|January 5, 2022

What is BHB and Should You Be Taking It on Keto?

By Bulletproof Staff
Reviewed by Emily Gonzalez, ND for Scientific Accuracy

What is BHB and Should You Be Taking It on Keto?

  • Beta-hydroxybutyrate, or BHB, is one of the three types of ketone bodies that your body produces naturally.
  • Exogenous ketones are available to supplement your fat-fueled lifestyle, but ketone salts and ketone esters do have drawbacks.
  • Bulletproof Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil is a terrific BHB supplement that can help control cravings and improve cognitive performance without changing the flavor of your drink or dish.

If you’ve been researching the keto diet or if you’ve been restricting your carbohydrates for a while, chances are you’ve come across beta-hydroxybutyrate, or BHB supplements. These powders, pills and drinks promise to make keto easier and boost your results if you’re already in ketosis.

But did you know that your body actually produces BHB on its own? Still, exogenous ketones can be a useful way to get you into ketosis faster. Or, you can even use a BHB supplement as part of your daily keto meal plan.

After all, Bulletproof Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil delivers the brain-boosting, fat-burning benefits of ketones, and can be utilized in a number of different ways, from cooking delicious, low-carb meals in the kitchen to doing keto on the go.

Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of ketones and BHB supplements, including why MCT oil makes for a great source of exogenous ketones.

Table of Contents

  • What is BHB and how does it relate to ketones?
  • Is it a good idea to raise your BHB ketones?
  • What are exogenous ketones?
  • Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil—the best way to raise your BHB ketones

What is BHB and how does it relate to ketones?

Your body can use two main fuel sources: glucose and ketones. Glucose is what you get when you break down sugar and carbs. When you have more glucose than you can use, your body stores the excess in your liver and muscles in the form of glycogen. When those tanks are full, however, glucose gets stored as fat.

Ketones come into play when glucose and glycogen aren’t available, which is the purpose of using fat as your primary energy source. When you’re low on glucose, your body produces three types of ketone bodies: acetoacetate (AcAc), acetone and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB).

In fact, out of the three types of ketone bodies found in your blood, BHB is by far the most abundant. [1]

Overall, BHB is the primary energy-producing ketone body. AcAc and acetone are produced in much smaller amounts.

Measuring BHB ketone levels is one way to check to see if your ketogenic diet is effective. In addition, BHB levels are also used to monitor hypoglycemia and diagnose insulinoma (pancreatic tumors).

Overall, you feel all the amazing benefits of nutritional ketosis when your body is making—and using—BHB efficiently.

Is it a good idea to raise your BHB ketones?

While glucose can be an effective fuel source, it does have its drawbacks. In some cases, relying on ketones for energy can be a more pleasant overall experience. After all, when you burn glucose, you feel energetic and alert right after you eat. But, it doesn’t take long for the dreaded “blood sugar crash” to hit before your belly starts grumbling again for more carbohydrates. Not exactly the best feeling!

On the other hand, when you’re burning more ketones, your energy is much steadier, and you don’t get the hunger, cravings and distraction like you get when you burn just glucose.

When your BHB ketone levels rise, hunger runs in the background, instead of in the limelight. Because you’re able to go hours without thinking about food, you can focus on your work, your kids and anything that matters to you—instead of looking for ways to satisfy your cravings.

The appetite-controlling effect of ketones can also help with weight management. Ultimately, caloric restriction can occur naturally, rather than through a concerted effort to only eat less.

Additional reasons you may want to raise your BHB ketone levels

As your body gets deeper into ketosis, you can experience increased cognition and mental acuity. So if you’re like me, and you have a lot of creative work to get done, being in a state of ketosis puts your brain in an advantageous position.

Moreover, there can be a situation where you can have too many ketones in your blood, otherwise known as ketoacidosis. The most common form is diabetic ketoacidosis, which results from the body’s inability to produce adequate insulin.

Ultimately, though, it’s a good thing to have ketones in your bloodstream at therapeutic levels, as long as the levels stay below those that cause ketoacidosis. (Keep in mind that ketoacidosis is a state typically experienced by those with uncontrolled diabetes, so be sure to work with your health care provider if you are in a situation where your ketone levels need extra support and medical oversight.)

And, while your body does produce BHB on its own, there’s also another way to change your blood ketone levels.

Related: MCT and Keto: How to Boost Ketones With Quality Fat

More Supplements From Bulletproof

serrapeptase benefits dosage
What Is Serrapeptase? What to Know Before Trying It
CoQ10 Energy Supplement - Bulletproof
What is CoQ10? And how does it support energy?
Bulletproof - Apple Cider Vinegar Max Gummies
Apple Cider Vinegar: Is the Trend Here to Stay? 
Bulletproof Chocolate Collagen Protein
Can I Take Too Much Collagen in One Day?

What are exogenous ketones?

women doing push-ups at the gym

For keto dieters, the goal of making fat their primary fuel source is to produce endogenous ketones (inside the body). However, you can also use exogenous ketones (outside the body) to support your fat-fueled lifestyle.

Ultimately, that means ketones found in supplements fall into this category.

So, while your body does make BHB on its own, you can take BHB supplements to help you reach a state of ketosis quicker, or as an overall part of your ketogenic lifestyle.

There are three main types of ketone supplements on the market. However, they do feature some downsides:

  • Ketone esters are a BHB molecule bound to an alcohol molecule (1,3 butanediol, not ethanol, so don’t worry about getting tipsy!). Ketone esters do raise your ketones, but they’re fairly new to the market, and we’re still learning what they do—both good and bad. Plus, they’re expensive and are not enjoyable in the flavor department.
  • Ketone salts are bound to a mineral, which makes them taste a little better than ketone esters. Ketone salts are also new to the supplements market, and the full range of side effects hasn’t been established yet. Still, some people report digestive trouble, which isn’t a fun payoff for ketone supplementation.
  • Raspberry ketones do zippo for your ketone levels. If you see a modest rise in ketones, it’s because the manufacturer included a little fat in the formula.

Side effects aside, consuming exogenous ketones may come in handy if you’re experiencing symptoms of the keto flu. Once your body starts transitioning from burning glucose to burning fat, you may start to feel a bit icky, but exogenous ketones can help reduce the time it takes for your body to reach nutritional ketosis.

A 2016 study [2] also revealed that you can induce nutritional ketosis without a low-carb diet through exogenous ketone supplementation. And, beyond raising BHB levels, supplementing with ketones also resulted in a reduction of glucose.

But when it comes to supplementing with exogenous ketones, what’s the best source?

Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil—the best way to raise your BHB ketones

A hand pouring Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil Softgels from the bottle

BHB supplements, like ketone esters and ketone salts, have some associated drawbacks that may not make them the best choice.

Newsflash… There’s an efficient way to raise your BHB levels using a supplement that fits in perfectly with the ketogenic diet: Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil.

Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil is a medium-chain fat that skips a few metabolic steps and converts directly into ketones that your body can use almost immediately. It’s made of triple-distilled caprylic acid, which is a fat that allows ketones to rise faster than low-carb dieting or fasting alone. Studies show that caprylic acid raises ketones more efficiently than any other type of MCT. Additionally, caprylic acid gives you four times more ketones than coconut oil. [3][4][5]Lucky for you, Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil just so happens to be 100% caprylic acid. Score!

How Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil Works

Your body recognizes Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil as a fat, and knows what to do with it—unlike the chemical compounds containing BHB that have hit the market in the last few years.

And, unlike other sources of exogenous ketones, Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil is flavorless, which makes it easy to incorporate into low-carb recipes, smoothies, and of course, a cup of Bulletproof Coffee. No time to make your morning fat-fueled cup of joe? No problem. Just pop two Brain Octane Oil Softgels as you head out the door to start the day. (Or, if you have plans to brew a cup of Bulletproof Coffee at work, grab a Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil travel bottle or a box of to-go packs!)

So, if you want to experience the health benefits of nutritional ketosis, you’ll definitely want to make this form of BHB supplementation a part of your routine.

The bottom line: BHB is the most abundant ketone body in your blood, so it is mightily important in achieving the health benefits of ketosis. While BHB salts and esters do exist, MCT oil can provide brain-boosting, fat-burning effects and can be utilized in a variety of ways.

Wondering how to incorporate more Braine Octane C8 MCT Oil into your daily diet? Check out these 11 ways to integrate beneficial MCTs into your routine, so you can boost those ketones, stat!

Join the Bulletproof Revolution

Sign up for early access to sales, product launches, the latest Bulletproof news and more!

This article has been updated with new content.

Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Products sold on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 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.

About Bulletproof Staff

The Bulletproof Staff category includes more than two dozen writers with a wide range of expertise, including nutrition, fitness, recipe development and more. Articles from The Bulletproof Staff contain insight from multiple writers. Content in this category has been peer reviewed and updated when required to adhere to our editorial guidelines. Explore more content by category here.

References

[1]
[2]
[3]
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5998344/
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29955698/

TAGS

Brain Octane OilKetoKetosisSupplements

Related Bulletproof Supplements

serrapeptase benefits dosage
What Is Serrapeptase? What to Know Before Trying It
CoQ10 Energy Supplement - Bulletproof
What is CoQ10? And how does it support energy?
Bulletproof - Apple Cider Vinegar Max Gummies
Apple Cider Vinegar: Is the Trend Here to Stay? 
Bulletproof Chocolate Collagen Protein
Can I Take Too Much Collagen in One Day?
Sign up today & save 15%
SHOP
  • Coffee
  • MCT Oils
  • Proteins
  • Supplements
  • Other
  • All Products
Learn
  • Bulletproof for Beginners
  • Recipes
  • Newsletters & Guides
  • Bulletproof Blog
  • Books
CUSTOMER CARE
  • Contact Us
  • Shipping Policy
  • Return Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
COMPANY
  • About Us
  • Press
  • Careers
  • Customer Reviews
  • Rewards
  • Give $15, Get $15
PARTNERS
  • Store Locator
  • Wholesale
  • Ambassador Program
  • Affiliate Program
Discover What Better Feels Like
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

†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. 2013–2023

  • Privacy Policy|
  • Terms|
  • Reseller Policy|