What are ketone bodies?
ketone bodies, also called acetone bodies or simply ketones, are some of the three compounds produced when the liver metabolizes fatty acids. Three types of ketone bodies-acetooctic acid, beta-hydroxybutylic acid and acetone-se relaxation into the bloodstream after metabolism. Aceto-ocetic acid and beta-hydroxybutylic acid are used for brain and muscles fuel, but the body cannot break acetone and therefore excludes it in the urine. The excess of acetone or ketone bodies in the blood and urine may be a sign of serious metabolic disease, and doctors often use ketonic bodies as tools in the diagnosis of such diseases.
In healthy individuals, the body usually uses carbohydrate metabolism. If sufficient carbohydrates are not available, for example during extreme starvation, the body begins to metabolize fats into the ketone bodies to provide the necessary fuel. High levels of ketones in the urine, a condition called ketonuria, state that the body usually uses fat for its energy. SingleIvci with diabetes mellitus are unable to effectively metabolize glucose, usually due to insufficient insulin or insulin resistance. Their bodies begin to metabolize fats and proteins to replace the lack of available glucose for energy.
When doctors suspect diabetes, one of the first things they will check is the excess ketones in the urine. A test that performs a simple urine gauge can quickly alert a doctor of a metabolic disorder such as diabetes. High ketone levels can also cause man to have acetone or fruit odor. Other tests of blood glucose can confirm the disease. Urine ketone tests are also useful in the help of diabetic patients maintain the right diet and medicines for optimal disease control.
Ketonuria can help signal complications during extreme fasting or diet shot or during pregnancy. TestingThese women are important because ketonuria may have been associated with some fetal death. Doctors also routinely project acute patients and patients who are preparing for surgery to indicate possible metabolic problems.
The presence of ketons in blood or urine is not just a signal of metabolic problems. The ketones themselves can be dangerous at a high level. Without treatment, extremely high levels of ketones in blood and urine can reduce blood pH and cause a condition called ketoacidosis. It is most common in people with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and is impaired when high blood glucose, caused by a lack of insulin available, further oxygenate blood. Ketoacidosis can lead to a ketoacid coma or death.