ketosis

noun

ke·​to·​sis kē-ˈtō-səs 

: an abnormal increase of ketone bodies in the body

ketotic

kē-ˈtä-tik 

adjective

Examples of ketosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

High-carb sweeteners can interrupt ketosis and negatively affect weight loss on the diet. —Brierley Horton, Ms, Health, 8 Apr. 2024

This led to further experiments showing how diets that can induce ketosis could slow the growth of kidney cysts in PKD in rodents, as described in publication in Cell Metabolism. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024

This is achieved through a process known as ketosis. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 7 Jan. 2024

The breakdown of fat results in compounds called ketones, hence the name ketosis. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024

Fasting can be a powerful tool for weight loss, improved insulin levels, and even entering the coveted state of ketosis. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2023

The following veggies and legumes are higher in carbs, which means eating them could push you over your carb allotment for the day and take you out of ketosis. —Women's Health, 16 Aug. 2023

With 11 grams of organic acacia fiber per serving, Elm & Rye supplements can help users reach their daily fiber goals without jeopardizing their ketosis. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2023

Furthermore, the analysis of these top fiber supplements revealed that an impressive 92% of the products contained less than 3 grams of net carbs per serving, ensuring that individuals can maintain a state of ketosis while simultaneously meeting their daily fiber requirements. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

ket(one) + -osis (after acidosis)

Note: The word ketosis was apparently introduced, somewhat hesitantly, by the American physician Frederick Madison Allen (1879-1964) in "The Role of Fat in Diabetes," American Journal of the Medical Sciences, series 2, vol. 153, no. 3 (March, 1917), p. 335: "The second basis of definition [of acidosis] is that of need and distinctiveness. Diminished alkalinity, increased hydrogen ion concentration, lowering of carbon dioxide, decrease of buffer salts, and (for the symptoms of these changes) acid intoxication—all these terms have definite meanings, and to appropriate the name acidosis for any one of them is merely to create a useless synonym. No other name but acidosis exists for the metabolic process which it denotes. Ketonuria and ketonemia have their accurate place but do not cover the ground. Possibly the word ketosis might be suggested and used for special purposes, but the change of established usage would be difficult and seems unnecessary."

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ketosis

noun

ke·​to·​sis kē-ˈtō-səs 

plural ketoses -ˌsēz 

1

: an abnormal increase of ketone bodies in the body in conditions of reduced or disturbed carbohydrate metabolism (as in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus) compare acidosis, alkalosis

2

: a nutritional disease of cattle and sometimes sheep, goats, or swine that is marked by reduction of blood sugar and the presence of ketone bodies in the blood, tissues, milk, and urine and is associated with digestive and nervous disturbances

ketotic

-ˈtät-ik 

adjective