Ketone Ester Papers — A Clinical Trial Index

About this index & how to read it. The focus is the ketone monoester (KME) — also called the Veech / NIH ester, (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate. Each entry links to the journal, PubMed/PMC, or trial registry. Outcome labels reflect the study's primary finding for the ketone ester condition; they are an editorial reading of the abstract, not a formal grading. Reviews, protocols, and trial registrations are marked as reference entries rather than outcomes. Where a paper does not name the supplier of the molecule, attribution is left generic (KME). Counterpoint and null results are included deliberately — the value of an index like this is that it does not cherry-pick.

Positive finding Neutral / mixed Negative / cautionary Reference / review / trial

Background & Media

Context, not clinical evidence

Press & Cycling Coverage

The UCI says riders shouldn't take ketones — where next for this supplement? — BikeRadar, Jan 2026
Where is the ketones market for sports nutrition heading in 2025? — NutraIngredients, Jan 2025
"We've shown that ketones boost EPO levels" — ketones in WorldTour performance — Cyclingnews, Aug 2024
Ketones, dietary supplements very popular with the peloton — L'Équipe, June 2023
Remco Evenepoel is using ketones after each stage of the Giro — Ciclismo Internacional, May 2023
Athletes swear by ketone drinks. A new study says they don't work. — Washington Post, June 2023
Ketones for cycling: what are they, do they work, are they banned? — Cyclist, Sept 2022
Démare expresses concern at use of ketones in professional peloton — Cycling News, Nov 2021
Ketone esters thrown into spotlight amid cycling controversies — Nutrition Insight, Sept 2020
The latest Tour de France weapon — the $100 water bottle — Road Bike Action, July 2020
Tour de France puts ketones under the spotlight — NutraIngredients, 2019
Does ketone ester supplementation boost cycling performance? — Medscape, 2019

2012 London Olympics "Wonder Drug"

British 2012 Olympians used as guinea pigs for Special Forces "wonder drug" — Daily Mail, 2020
British swimmers were part of secret "Ketone Ester Project" — Swimming World, 2020
British cyclists involved in secret ketone program for 2012 Olympics — CyclingTips, July 2020

What's in a Name — The Ketone Monoester

Common names

The Ketone Ester

The Veech Ester / NIH Ester

D-BHB Ester

R-βHB (R)-1,3-butanediol ketone ester

Chemical names

D-β-hydroxybutyrate / R-1,3-butanediol ester

(R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate

(3'R)-3'-hydroxybutyl (3R)-3-hydroxybutanoate

IUPAC

[(3R)-3-hydroxybutyl] (3R)-3-hydroxybutanoate

Esters, but NOT monoesters

Acetoacetate / (racemic) 1,3-butanediol di-ester

Bis-hexanoyl (R)-1,3-butanediol (C6-diester)

Bis-octanoyl (R)-1,3-butanediol (C8-diester)

See the naming reference "What's in a name" paper for the full taxonomy.

Video Interviews

Dr. Richard Veech (ketone ester pioneer) in conversation with Dave Asprey

William Curtis on managing his Parkinson's with a ketogenic approach