Chetosi

Chetosi, or ketosis, is a metabolic state in which the body relies on ketone bodies for energy rather than glucose. It occurs when carbohydrate availability is limited and the liver converts fatty acids into ketone bodies, which include acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone. These ketones circulate in the blood and can supply energy to most tissues, including the brain, during periods of low insulin or reduced glucose.

Physiological ketosis can arise during prolonged fasting, very low-carbohydrate diets such as ketogenic diets, or intense endurance exercise. It is typically a controlled, reversible adaptation and is distinct from ketoacidosis, a dangerous complication most common in people with type 1 diabetes or severe insulin deficiency, where high levels of ketones are accompanied by high blood glucose and acid-base imbalance.

The body adapts over several days to increased fat oxidation, and blood ketone levels rise gradually. Ketosis may influence appetite and weight management, though responses vary. Ketone bodies can be measured in blood, breath, or urine; beta-hydroxybutyrate is commonly assessed in blood tests, while urinary ketones reflect acetoacetate.

Medically, ketogenic diets are used as a treatment for refractory epilepsy and are being explored for metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and weight management. Safety considerations are important for individuals with diabetes, kidney disease, or other metabolic conditions, and supervision by a healthcare professional is advised when ketosis is intentional or occurs in the context of illness.