Health · Medical Research · 5 hrs ago
Review finds ketones may alter sleep, with effects varying between people
Researchers reviewed studies on ketones and sleep in animals and people, including evidence on fasting, ketogenic diets and ketone supplements.
Ketones are substances the body produces when it uses fat for energy, such as during fasting or a low-carbohydrate diet.
Their effects on sleep were mixed: some studies linked them to changes in deep sleep or REM sleep, while others found no change or possible disruption.
The response may depend on diet, age, sex and metabolic health, as well as when ketones are taken.
In people with epilepsy, ketogenic diets have been associated with changes in sleep patterns and fewer seizure-related electrical discharges at night.
A change in sleep stages does not necessarily mean better sleep, and other effects, such as seizure control or exercise recovery, may help explain some findings.
Larger controlled trials are needed to establish whether ketones themselves improve sleep and which people, if any, might benefit.
A review in Nutrients says ketones may influence sleep, but effects vary among people and circumstances.
The authors examined animal, human and mechanistic studies of ketones and sleep.
Studies reported changes in deep sleep, REM sleep and other measures, but shifts in sleep stages do not necessarily mean better sleep.
Responses differed with factors including diet, age, sex, metabolic health and circadian timing.
The authors said larger controlled trials using objective sleep measures are needed.
- Who
- Researchers who authored a review of ketones and sleep.
- What
- The review found that ketones may influence sleep, with varied effects across studies and people.
- When
- The review was published on 2026-10-28. The researchers searched PubMed through September 2026.
- Where
- The review was published in the journal Nutrients.
- Why
- The authors examined how ketones, as energy sources and signaling molecules, may interact with sleep.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The researchers searched PubMed for studies on ketones and sleep.
News-Medical reported on the review published in Nutrients.
- Journal
- Nutrients
- Publication date
- 2026-10-28
- PubMed records
- Approximately 329 identified in the initial search
- Publications cited
- 89 peer-reviewed publications
- Clinical-trial registrations
- 2
- Meta-analysis
- Not conducted