By: Nathan Wilson

The supplement world is full of big promises, especially when it comes to ketones. You see ads for endless energy, sharper thinking, faster fat loss, and better workouts. The problem is not the idea of ketones. The problem is that most products on the market are not giving you real ketones at all. They are using a shortcut ingredient called 1,3-butanediol, and the science behind it should make anyone cautious.

Ketones can be incredibly effective when used correctly. But 1,3-butanediol is not the way to do it.

What You Need to Know About 1,3-Butanediol

1,3-butanediol is a synthetic diol that your liver can turn into BHB. That sounds simple on paper, but the conversion process is inefficient and creates unnecessary stress inside the body. It is not a ketone. It is a chemical precursor that relies on your liver to transform it into something useful, and that transformation is the problem.

The Research Shows Serious Red Flags

A recent animal study tested chronic intake of 1,3-butanediol and found clear metabolic disturbances. At higher doses, the animals developed metabolic acidosis, which means the blood became too acidic. This is not a small issue. It is a sign that the body is struggling to maintain balance. The same study also showed signs of liver stress, unusual liver weight, and disrupted gene expression related to metabolic function.

Even when researchers lowered the dosage to a more realistic range, the animals did not show meaningful increases in BHB levels. In other words, low doses do not work well and high doses are unsafe.

Another human study reported nausea, dizziness, and poor tolerance when subjects consumed 1,3-butanediol, especially when taken as a single large serving. These effects were not signs of better energy or mental clarity. They were the alcohol-like side effects of the chemical itself.

And yes, 1,3-butanediol has a taste that will make you question your life choices. There is only so much flavoring can do.

Why goBHB Is Completely Different

goBHB is actual beta-hydroxybutyrate. Your body recognizes it immediately and uses it as fuel. There is no conversion step. There is no extra liver workload. The form of BHB in goBHB raises ketones predictably and safely, and it has been tested in adults and adolescents without the toxicity concerns found in 1,3-butanediol products.

Studies on goBHB show that it increases circulating ketone levels quickly, improves concentration, reduces perceived exertion during exercise, and supports healthy metabolic function. This is the real effect people expect when they buy ketone supplements, and it is exactly why goBHB stands out.

Why Some Companies Still Push 1,3-Butanediol

It costs less. That is the entire explanation. It is a cheaper raw material, and some brands prioritize margins over safety or performance. They rely on influencer deals instead of real science. You deserve better than that.

I use ingredients I would give to my family. That is why I trust goBHB and why I will never use 1,3-butanediol in anything I formulate. The research is too clear, and the risks are not worth the small cost savings.

Final Thoughts

If you want actual ketone benefits, go with real BHB. goBHB delivers predictable energy, improved focus, cleaner workouts, and better metabolic support without alcohol-like effects, liver strain, or acid imbalance. It is safe, effective, and the only form of ketone supplementation I stand behind.

1,3-butanediol belongs in industrial applications, not in athlete nutrition.

Sources:
Soto et al., 2022, Nutrients
Smith et al., 2023, Frontiers in Physiology
Ratelle et al., 2021, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition