Ketosis is a metabolic state characterized by elevated levels of ketone bodies in the blood or urine. Normally, your body uses blood sugar (glucose) as its key energy source. However, during ketosis, your body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. This can happen when your body doesnt have enough carbohydrates to burn for energy, such as during low-carbohydrate diets or fasting. Ketosis can also be induced by a low-carbohydrate, moderate protein diet called a ketogenic diet.

Some key points about ketosis include:

• Ketone bodies: Ketosis is characterized by elevated levels of ketone bodies in the blood or urine, including acetone, acetoacetic acid, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid.
• Physiological ketosis: This is a normal response to low glucose availability, such as during low-carbohydrate diets or fasting. In physiological ketosis, ketones in the blood are elevated above baseline levels, but the bodys acid-base homeostasis is maintained.
• Nutritional ketosis: This is when ketosis is induced by carbohydrate restriction, such as during a ketogenic diet.
• Ketoacidosis: This is a pathological state of uncontrolled production of ketones that results in a dangerous increase in blood acidity. It can occur in people with uncontrolled diabetes.

Ketosis has been shown to have several health benefits, such as weight loss, improved blood sugar management, and treatment for epilepsy. However, it can also cause side effects such as bad breath, headache, and fatigue. To know for certain if youre in ketosis, you can measure your blood ketone levels using a specialized meter.