In lab-grown muscle cells, adding ketones along with leucine (a muscle-building amino acid) makes the 'grow' signal way stronger and actually increases how much protein the cells make — ketones aren’t just fuel, they help the signal work better.

52

Pro

0

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

52

Community contributions welcome

52

Intake of a Ketone Ester Drink during Recovery from Exercise Promotes mTORC1 Signaling but Not Glycogen Resynthesis in Human Muscle

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2017

The study gave people a ketone drink after exercise and also tested ketones on muscle cells in a dish. In the dish, ketones made leucine work better at turning on muscle-building signals — exactly what the claim says.

Contradicting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Intake of a Ketone Ester Drink during Recovery from Exercise Promotes mTORC1 Signaling but Not Glycogen Resynthesis in Human Muscle

Score: 52

DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00310

Similar Assertions

Taking leucine — a protein building block — might turn on muscle-building signals in your muscles, but if you're already training and eating enough protein, it won't actually make you stronger, bigger, or recover faster.

20

0

71%

When trained guys drink a special ketone drink after a tough leg workout (and also eat protein and carbs), their muscles send stronger 'grow' signals than when they drink a fake version — even though their insulin levels are the same.

52

0

70%