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Diabetes Q&A | Weight Issues | If you are losing weight and burning ex
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07/09/09 11:01 AM

"If you are losing weight and burning extra fat stores in the body, isn't it normal to have Ketones? Is it a good thing when losing weight?"
Asked By: fiercekitten  
Category: Weight Issues

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For example: an extremely low carb diet would cause the body to look for alternative fuel. It would be forced to burn the fat stores you have. Thus, ketones are in the body but need to be flushed out with water and the like. Isn't there a difference between damaging ketoacidosis (sp?) and having ketones due to this? How do you know, when you're a diabetic, which it is?

Expert Answers (1)

07/10/09 08:45 PM

Hello,

It is normal to have a small amount of ketones circulating in the blood. You are correct that fat metabolism produces ketones. When the need for energy exceeds the rate of fat metabolism, the process gets “backed up.” Ketones are products of incomplete metabolism.

Ketoacidosis is an extreme and uncontrolled form of ketosis, which is a normal response to lack of glycogen (stored glucose) and prolonged fasting. In ketoacidosis, the body fails to adequately regulate ketone production causing such a severe accumulation of keto acids that the pH of the blood is substantially decreased. This drop in pH is not a “good thing,” as the body works best at a certain pH level. Ketoacidosis is a serious condition that can lead to diabetic coma (passing out for a long time) or even death.

Some symptoms of ketoacidosis:

  • Thirst or a very dry mouth

  • Frequent urination

  • High levels of ketones in the urine

  • Constantly feeling tired

  • Dry or flushed skin

  • Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain

  • A hard time breathing (short, deep breaths)

  • Fruity (acetone) odor on breath

  • A hard time paying attention

    More information on ketoacidosis

    http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/ketoacidosis.jsp

    Take care.

    • Answered By: Liz Quintana
    Accreditations: EdD, RD, LD, CDE,CPT
    Sources Show

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