ketone body
noun
: any of the three compounds acetoacetic acid, acetone, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid which are normal intermediates in lipid metabolism and accumulate in the blood and urine in abnormal amounts in conditions of impaired metabolism (such as diabetes mellitus)
Examples of ketone body in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These ketone bodies are used as fuel instead of carbohydrates or other sources of glucose.
—
Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 15 Oct. 2024
Ketosis occurs when your body uses ketone bodies for energy instead of carbohydrates.
—Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2024
The fat must be broken down first, however, and, as part of that process, the liver creates substances known as ketone bodies that can be converted into energy.
—Gretchen Reynolds, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2020
Here in the 21st century: Taking supplemental ketones to help enhance this biological process will likely decrease appetite by raising blood levels of ketone bodies.
—Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, 16 Jan. 2019
The process generates ketone bodies that may have healthy effects.
—Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 24 Sep. 2018
But by starving the body of carbs, a ketogenic diet forces a person into a state of ketosis: Their body burns its own fat, producing ketone bodies.
—Susie Neilson, The Cut, 26 Jan. 2018
There’s evidence that some of these ketone bodies are beneficial in disease.
—Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, 5 Sep. 2017
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Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 15 Oct. 2024
Ketosis occurs when your body uses ketone bodies for energy instead of carbohydrates.
—Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2024
The fat must be broken down first, however, and, as part of that process, the liver creates substances known as ketone bodies that can be converted into energy.
—Gretchen Reynolds, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2020
Here in the 21st century: Taking supplemental ketones to help enhance this biological process will likely decrease appetite by raising blood levels of ketone bodies.
—Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, 16 Jan. 2019
The process generates ketone bodies that may have healthy effects.
—Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 24 Sep. 2018
But by starving the body of carbs, a ketogenic diet forces a person into a state of ketosis: Their body burns its own fat, producing ketone bodies.
—Susie Neilson, The Cut, 26 Jan. 2018
There’s evidence that some of these ketone bodies are beneficial in disease.
—Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, 5 Sep. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Ketone body.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ketone%20body. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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