ketone body

noun

Definition of ketone body

: 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 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

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ketone body.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More About ketone body

Dictionary Entries Near ketone body

ketone

ketone body

ketone group

Statistics for ketone body

Cite this Entry

“Ketone body.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ketone%20body. Accessed 16 Oct. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for ketone body

ketone body

noun

Medical Definition of ketone body

: any of the three compounds acetoacetic acid, acetone, and the beta derivative of hydroxybutyric acid which are normal intermediates in lipid metabolism and accumulate in the blood and urine in abnormal amounts in conditions of impaired metabolism (as diabetes mellitus)

— called also acetone body