Acetone, acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate are ketones (or ketone bodies) generated from carbohydrates, fatty acids and amino acids in humans and most vertebrates. Ketones are elevated in blood after fasting including a night of sleep, and in both blood and urine in starvation, hypoglycemia due to causes other than hyperinsulinism, various inborn errors of metabolism, and ketoacidosis (usually due to diabetes mellitus). Although ketoacidosis is characteristic of decompensated or untreated type 1 diabetes, ketosis or even ketoacidosis can occur in type 2 diabetes in some circumstances as well. Acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate are an important fuel for many tissues, especially during fasting and starvation. The brain, in particular, relies heavily on ketone bodies as a substrate for lipid synthesis and for energy during times of reduced food intake.
That said, the food intake especially carbohydrate intake needs to be severely reduced for a substantial period of time. This is most evident on the low-carb diets like Atkins. They go ketonic within a month.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2007-10-24 04:29 pm (UTC)That said, the food intake especially carbohydrate intake needs to be severely reduced for a substantial period of time. This is most evident on the low-carb diets like Atkins. They go ketonic within a month.