Method of producing a physiologically acceptable ketosis such as to treat
a patient in need of therapy for one or more of Amylotrophic lateral
sclerosis, Free Radical disease, Heart failure and Duchenne's muscular
dystrophy by oral administration to the patient of a cyclic oligomer of
formula (I) ##STR00001## where n is an integer of 1 or more or a complex
thereof with one or more cations or a salt thereof, wherein the
physiologically acceptable ketosis is characterized by blood levels of
(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate of from 0.5 to 20 mM.