Ketone Metabolic Therapy

• The ketogenic diet historically originated as a treatment for epilepsy and has expanded to other therapeutic areas, such as metabolic syndrome and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Ketone bodies, especially beta-hydroxybutyrate, perform dual roles as potent energy sources and cell signaling molecules that offer anti-inflammatory benefits.

• Keto metabolic therapy (KMT) encompasses multiple approaches, including diet, fasting, and supplements, to maintain therapeutic ketosis.

• Adoption of a ketogenic lifestyle may require supplement support, particularly with electrolytes, to avoid side effects like keto flu.

• Variations in genetic and gender responses can influence the effectiveness and experience of ketosis, necessitating personalized dietary adjustments.

Dr. Dominic D'Agostino is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine and serves as a Visiting Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). He earned his B.S. in Nutritional Science and Biological Sciences from Rutgers University in 1998, followed by a Predoctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience and Physiology at Rutgers and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) in 1999. In 2004, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Neuroscience at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in Ohio before joining USF in 2006.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. D'Agostino leads a lab focused on developing and testing nutritional strategies and metabolic-based therapies for neurological disorders, cancer, and metabolic optimization. His research includes both basic science studies and human clinical trials. He has a personal interest in environmental medicine and developing methods to enhance the safety and physiological resilience of military personnel and astronauts in extreme environments. Dr. D'Agostino's research in metabolic control and neuroscience is supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Department of Defense (DoD), private organizations, and nonprofit foundations.