Evidence C · Mixed
Acute (30 min)
Ketone-IQ (HVMN) is a ketone precursor based on R-1,3-butanediol, which the liver converts into beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). It supplies energy to the brain (sparing glycogen) and supports against "central fatigue". Results on raw performance are mixed; its best use is strategic in ultras, to maintain cognition and clarity in the final hours.
Dose1 shot (~6g BHB equivalent)
Timing30 min pre + every 2–3h
Blood peak~30–45 min
Format~33 ml liquid shot
Why Ketone-IQ (and not salts)
- No mineral overload: ketone salts (BHB-Na, BHB-Mg, BHB-Ca) bring 1–2 g of minerals per dose, which can cause explosive diarrhea in the middle of a workout. Ketone-IQ does not have this problem.
- Practicality: 33 ml shots are easy to consume on the run (unlike dissolved powder).
- More acceptable taste: traditional esters (such as the old HVMN Ketone Ester or KetoneAid) tasted notoriously awful. Ketone-IQ is bitter but tolerable — it can be mixed with coffee or sparkling water.
- Kinetics: it raises blood BHB to 1–2 mmol/L (modest compared with pure esters, but enough for the cognitive effect).
💡 Technical note: Ketone-IQ is not a "ketone ester" in the strict sense — it is a precursor diol (R-1,3-butanediol). For practical endurance use, the end effect is the same: elevated blood BHB. The advantage is far better tolerability.
⚠️ Never test it on a long run: first test it in a 1h–1h30 workout with half a shot. Check GI tolerance before using a full dose.
Protocol for the first time
- Workout: 1h to 1h30 in Z2 (do not do it on a long run).
- Dose: half a shot (~3 g BHB).
- Timing: 30–45 min before the workout.
- Do not combine it with a carb gel the first time (you want to "feel" the ketone).
- Expect a feeling of absence of fatigue, not an "energy burst".
Race protocol (after testing it)
- 30 min before the start: 1 full shot.
- During the race: 1 shot every 2–3h, preferably before mentally hard sections (the early-morning hours, long climbs, the last 20%).
- Typical total in an 8–12h ultra: 3–4 shots.
Synergy with bicarbonate
Studies from KU Leuven suggest that ketone precursors/esters improve performance when co-ingested with sodium bicarbonate. The combination buffers the additional acidosis generated by BHB and neutralizes its acidifying effect.
Where to buy
- HVMN.com: the official site, with subscription discounts.
- The Feed: fast delivery in the US, ideal for receiving at a hotel.
- Amazon US: available, price similar to HVMN.