💊Daily Pill: What is Ketosis?
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The Daily Pill is a series of very short daily posts where I share the definition of a medical term I think we should all know. Read it every morning and build up your medical vocabulary.
🍫 Ketosis
Ketosis is a metabolic state in which your body uses fat as its primary source of fuel instead of carbohydrates. This occurs when you significantly reduce your carbohydrate intake, leading to the production of ketones in the liver. When glucose is not available, your body breaks down fatty acids into ketones through a process called beta-oxidation. Ketones, such as acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate, serve as an alternative energy source, particularly for the brain, which cannot utilize fatty acids directly.
🤔Why you need to know:
A ketogenic diet can be a sound strategy for weight loss, improved mental clarity, and sustained energy levels.
Many people use ketosis to manage and prevent chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. By keeping blood sugar levels stable and reducing insulin spikes, ketosis can improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health. Knowing how to achieve and maintain ketosis can help you make informed dietary choices that align with your health goals.
🧠Trivia:
The presence of ketones in the urine is one of the diagnostic markers for diabetes, particularly diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In this condition, insufficient insulin levels prevent cells from utilizing glucose, leading to the oxidation of fatty acids as source of fuel, and therefore, high levels of ketones. These ketones accumulate in the blood and are excreted in the urine, serving as a critical indicator of this serious condition.
