How Ketones are Formed in the Body

How Ketones are Formed in the Body
Table of Contents
What conditions are needed for ketones to be produced?
Low Available Glucose
Empty Glycogen Stores
Low Insulin Levels

Reducing Glucose and Insulin Levels
1. Low Carb Diets
2. Fasting
3. Exercise

Ketogenesis
Fat is released from the cells all over our body and is transported via our bloodstream into the liver: once there it’s turned into ketones.
That’s the process known as ketogenesis.
Once the liver begins to transform fat into ketones, the ketone levels will begin to rise in our blood and be transported around the body in order for our cells to use them.
Now, most of the cells in the body can run on three different types of fuels:-
- Glucose
- Fat
- Ketones
Our livers produce three different types of ketones.
The different ways we measure ketones all measure these different types.
I’ve made a separate video about the different ways that we can measure ketones, where I discuss the pros and cons of each method.
Summary
Ketones are produced by the body when conditions of low available glucose and low available insulin levels are satisfied within the body and we can use fat from our cells. Some of that is turned into ketones in the liver, which can be used by our brain.
Now, when ketone production is up and running up to 70% of the energy needs of our brain come from ketones, and up to 50% of the energy needs of our entire body come from burning ketones.
It’s a really, really good alternative fuel source for the brain and the whole body.
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