ketosis

noun ke·to·sis \ kē-ˈtō-səs \

|Updated on: 10 Jul 2018

Definition of ketosis

: an abnormal increase of ketone bodies in the body

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ketotic

play \kē-ˈtä-tik\ adjective

Recent Examples of ketosis from the Web

Here’s where keto gets tough: A few extra carbs a day, even from vegetables, can knock you out of ketosis.

— jacqueline detwiler, Popular Mechanics, "I Hacked My Body So You Don't Have To," 25 June 2018
The goal is to achieve ketosis, a state in which the body uses fat as its primary fuel, rather than carbs.

— blake bakkila, Health.com, "This Woman Has Lost 40 Pounds in 8 Months Since Starting the Keto Diet," 6 June 2018
The Scarsdale Diet was also ahead of its time in its focus on ketosis—a metabolic state related to fat burning.

— ben widdicombe, Town & Country, "An Unofficial History of Rich Women and Their Diets," 10 Apr. 2018
The diet's aim of inducing ketosis — a metabolic process where the body uses fat instead of carbs for energy — can backfire tremendously.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "What You Can (and Can’t) Eat on a Keto Diet," 3 Apr. 2018
The carbohydrate reduction should eventually move your body into ketosis, prompting the body to access fat stores as its primary source of fuel, rather than carbohydrates, which are typically the primary source.

— sara angle, Outside Online, "An Athlete's Guide to #Trending Diets," 20 Mar. 2018
Consuming high amounts of dietary fat with minimal carbohydrates forces the body into ketosis, a natural, physiological condition that occurs when there is not enough glucose (carbs) to break down for energy, causing the body to turn to fat as fuel.

— kimberly mugler, rd, ldn, Philly.com, "A dietitian weighs in on the Ketogenic diet for weight loss," 13 Mar. 2018
Sticking to these numbers allows a person to achieve ketosis—a state in which the body uses fat as its primary fuel, as opposed to carbs.

— blake bakkila, Health.com, "7 Keto-Friendly Recipes People Are Loving on Pinterest," 8 Mar. 2018
Without the carbs, say proponents, the body burns stored fat instead through a process called ketosis.

— chris morris, Fortune, "Here’s Why Keto—the Fat-Heavy Diet—Is Sweeping the Country," 14 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of ketosis

New Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1917

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

ketosis

noun ke·to·sis \ kē-ˈtō-səs \

medical Definition of ketosis

plural ketoses play \-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

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