Compositions and methods for producing elevated blood levels of ketone bodies and modifying metabolic function in a mammal. Compositions include at least one ester of S-beta-hydroxybutyrate and/or a mono- or di-ester of S-1,3-butanediol and at least one ketone body component. The ketone body component includes beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, or both. The beta-hydroxybutyrate is R-beta-hydroxybutyrate, S-beta-hydroxybutyrate, or both. When the ketone body component is S-beta-hydroxybutyrate, the 1,3-butanediol is R-1,3-butanediol, S-1,3-butanediol, or both. Compositions may comprise a keto stack of multiple forms of ketone bodies.
