What Is Ketosis?

Nowadays, more and more individuals are going on the ketogenic diet to get their bodies into ketosis. Getting into ketosis has become an increasingly popular trend, as it is suggested to have several health benefits based on information from many studies. Despite the number of studies out there, research assessing ketosis' effects on health is ongoing. With that, ketosis is widely compared to another condition called ketoacidosis. Continue reading on what ketosis is, causes of the condition, its side effects, and differences between ketosis and ketoacidosis.

What Ketosis Is

Ketosis is the state in which the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. The state occurs as the result of consuming low amounts of carbohydrates. Many sources suggest to not go over fifty grams of net carbohydrates per day for getting into ketosis. Normally, the body converts carbohydrates into glucose. The glucose is then transferred into the bloodstream along with insulin, the hormone secreted by the pancreas. Insulin is what enables glucose to be absorbed into cells and used for energy. Insulin is also important for helping the body store glucose for future use.

As the outcome of the body using fat for energy, the liver releases substances called ketone bodies into the bloodstream. The three known types of ketone bodies consist of acetone, acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate.

Learn about the different causes of ketosis now.

Causes Of Ketosis

Besides low-carb dieting, several other causes of ketosis have been identified. Starvation, for instance, causes the body to burn stored fat, and thus, it can lead to increased production of ketone bodies. Some researchers believe having diabetes can increase an individual's risk for the condition as well. This is due to the widely investigated correlation between diabetes and low insulin sensitivity, otherwise known as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance means the body's cells won't absorb the hormone, and as a result, glucose remains in the bloodstream.

Another factor regarded as a cause of ketosis is excessive alcohol consumption, since it is linked to decreased insulin sensitivity as well. It is also reported excessive alcohol consumption decreases insulin secretion from the pancreas. However, there are few details on this theory. The link to ketosis is further supported by the effects of alcohol on an individual's appetite. For instance, many individuals suffering from alcohol addictions tend to eat very little.

Get to know when ketosis is healthy next.