ketone body

American  

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of three compounds, acetoacetic acid, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, or acetone, that are intermediate in the metabolism of fatty acids and that are found in abnormal quantities in the blood and urine during certain pathological conditions, as diabetes mellitus.

---

ketone body British  

noun

1. Also called: acetone body.  biochem any of three compounds (acetoacetic acid, 3-hydroxybutanoic acid, and acetone) produced when fatty acids are broken down in the liver to provide a source of energy. Excess ketone bodies are present in the blood and urine of people unable to use glucose as an energy source, as in diabetes and starvation

---

ketone body Scientific  

1. A ketone-containing substance that is an intermediate product of the metabolism of fatty acids. Ketone bodies tend to accumulate in the blood and urine of individuals affected by starvation or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.

---

Etymology

Origin of ketone body

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

It is about the presence of the ketone body, a substance produced by the liver and used as an energy source when glucose is not available.

From Science Daily • Apr. 26, 2024

Initially, most ketone supplements caused gastrointestinal issues and did not sufficiently increase ketone body availability.

From Salon • Oct. 3, 2023

The R-butanediol is converted to the high energy form of ketone body which is R-3 hydroxybutyrate.

From New York Times • Nov. 8, 2017

There is little correlation between seizure control and blood ketone body levels.

From Nature • Jul. 8, 2014

The result is the production of β-hydroxybutyrate, the primary ketone body found in the blood.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013