Five Ways Ketones Are Crucial for Performance

Ketones are the next big thing for endurance athletes, especially triathletes. These molecules are an ultra-clean fuel source for the brain and body, proven to support athletic performance, recovery, and mental focus.

When taken before and during competition, ketones can provide athletes with many science-backed benefits. And with Ketone-IQ™️, a daily ketone drink from H.V.M.N., it’s easier than ever to tap into nature’s superfuel.

Here are 5 ways that you can use ketones to level up your game and perform your best on race day.

#1: Ketones Provide More Fuel When You Need It

To saturate different metabolic pathways, we often consume a variety of carbohydrate sources: glucose, fructose, fast-release and slow-release products, and so on. If you consume too much, you can experience unpleasant effects like gastrointestinal distress.

But ketones digest and metabolize in a completely different pathway than carbs. This means that you can pack more usable energy into your body using ketones than you could with only carbohydrates. Simply put, you have more fuel in your tank when you need it.

#2: Ketones Help You Avoid the Bonk

When you consume carbs, your body breaks them down into glycogen and stores them for energy. After periods of exercise or an intense race, your body will run out of glycogen stores—leading to the dreaded bonk.

With ketones, you are able to avoid bonking and go faster for longer. Your body will have another source of fuel that it can tap into, allowing it to bypass your glycogen stores and save that extra energy.

#3: Ketones Deliver More Energy with Less Oxygen

According to one scientific study, ketones were found to be 28% more efficient as a fuel than carbohydrates alone. This means that they can deliver more energy and more power with less oxygen.

During long-distance races and grueling triathlons, this efficiency can make a significant impact on athletic performance. Another study found that athletes saw a 2% increase in endurance after taking ketones on top of their existing nutrition protocol!

Considering these results, it's no surprise that 60% of Tour de France teams have fueled themselves with H.V.M.N. ketones.

#4: Ketones Provide Mental Clarity

In the middle of a competition, your mind needs to be as optimized as your body. Mental clarity is essential in these situations, and ketones can help you get there.

Ketones can cross the blood-brain barrier, meaning that they can deliver energy to the brain and the body. In fact, ketones can provide up to 80% of the brain’s fuel, even when glucose is available.

People who take ketones report feeling sharper, more focused, and better able to make good decisions. In high-stress and high-stakes situations, this level of mental clarity is a critical benefit.

#5: Ketones Are Stimulant- and Sugar-Free

Caffeine, energy drinks, and other stimulants can cause unpleasant jitters and major crashes. When you need to bring your A-game, you need a stable and consistent energy source.

When consumed on their own, ketones are free of sugar and stimulants. They don’t cause a crash and instead provide a wave of clean energy to carry you to the finish line. That’s a major win for endurance athletes.

How Do You Use Ketones for Endurance?

Now that we’ve explored the benefits of ketones for endurance, let’s dive into how you can incorporate them into your routine. Generally, ketones work best when added on top of your favorite pre- and during-race nutrition protocol.

• If carbs are a regular part of your nutrition strategy, follow a 3:1 ratio of carbs to ketones. For example, take 30g carbs and 10g ketones (or 1 shot of Ketone-IQ™️) before and during your race.
• If you’re a low-carb athlete, you can reduce or eliminate the carb component. Take ketones before your race and when you need to re-energize.

Remember, different protocols work best for different people. Some athletes take a 2:1 ratio to load and top up with a 4:1 ratio throughout their effort. Others take 0.3-0.5g ketones per kilogram of body weight and take the same dose 90 to 120 minutes later.

Feel free to experiment and find what works for you!

Level Up with Ketone-IQ™️

If you want to start taking ketones for performance, check out Ketone-IQ™️ from H.V.M.N. Funded by a $6 million military contract from the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Ketone-IQ™️ is loved by elite athletes and weekend warriors alike.

Ketone-IQ™ delivers a direct dose of these powerful molecules when you need them, quickly elevating your ketones to an optimal range. It’s truly the easiest way to incorporate ketones into your pre- and post-race routine.

You can save 20% on your first order of Ketone-IQ™️ with the code USAT20. Visit hvmn.com to discover nature’s superfuel.