The Low Down on Ketones: Plus 9 Tips for Fat Adaption

The keto diet is one that is high in fat and low in carbs, with moderate amounts of protein. The ketogenic diet shifts the body’s fuel source away from using glucose, and instead toward using ketones for energy, into a state of ketosis. Put simply, being in ketosis means that the body relies on ketones to function.

But what are ketones, and why are they so beneficial? A significant body of research points to the anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and anti-cancer benefits of a ketogenic diet, along with the results of lower blood sugar, and a decreasing risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other conditions. Throughout this article, we’ll delve into the nitty-gritty science of ketosis, discuss tips for a successful ketogenic diet, and explain myths about the diet that often surface in the media.

The human body requires fuel for energy. Many believe that glucose is the preferred source of energy for the body. This, however, is a myth. But what even is glucose? Glucose is a simple sugar derived from the breakdown of all carbohydrates and proteins. The body also stores glucose in the form of glycogen in the muscles and liver.

Whenever there is glucose or glycogen available within the body, it is used first as a fuel source. Particularly, when humans consume excess carbohydrates, glucose is used rather than fat. This is due to the fact that the body can hold at maximum of 5 grams of glucose in the blood. Thus, after consuming a high carb meal, the body will burn the glucose first in an attempt to avoid blood toxicity from excess glucose in the blood. While glucose is often consumed by the body for energy, it is not necessarily meant to be the body’s primary source of energy. In fact, without excess carbohydrates (and therefore excess glucose), some have found that the body prefers fat over glucose.

When the body runs out of glucose, it turns to fat being either consumed or stored within the body. Fat is broken down by the liver into two compounds called glycerol and fatty acids. These fatty acids are then entered into the fuel-making process called ketogenesis, with the end product being ketone bodies. This process can happen when a person is fasting, after prolonged exercise, during starvation, or it can be induced within the body by a person consuming a low carbohydrate, ketogenic diet.

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