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)

Recent Examples of ketone body from the Web

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, "10 Days of Eating Fat, for My Mental Health," 26 Jan. 2018
There’s evidence that some of these ketone bodies are beneficial in disease.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Ketogenic diets extend life, health, memory, two studies in mice find," 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.

First Known Use of ketone body

1915

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

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