Ketones (also called ketone bodies) are substances that are formed when the body uses fat reserves for energy. They are formed during the breakdown of fatty acids in the liver.
Most cells in the human body require energy in the form of sugar. If this is not sufficiently present, ketone bodies formed from fats in the liver are instead used for energy production.
Ketone bodies are therefore alternative energy sources. Since the metabolism of sugar is easier for our body, it primarily uses it as an energy source. If there is no sugar in the context of strictly ketogenic diets or fasting states, he resorts to alternatives such as ketone bodies.
If there are excessive ketone cells in the blood (e.g. by a strict low-carbohydrate diet, a lack of insulin in the blood or insulin resistance of the cells), they are excreted by the kidneys with the urine.
The increased appearance of ketone bodies in the urine is also called ketonuria.
Ketones basically have acidic properties. The body reduces acidification by too many ketones via various buffer systems such as urine, breath and blood.
Especially in the presence of diabetes, the detection of ketone bodies in the urine is very interesting. Ketonuria is an important indication of a metabolic derailment. Diabetes lacks insulin, which promotes the absorption of glucose into the cell. The body is therefore faked a hypoglycaemia, although there is too much glucose in the blood. However, it cannot be metabolized because it does not enter the cells. The body thus forms ketone bodies as an alternative source of energy. Overproduction can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (acid poisoning) and this in turn can lead to a life-threatening coma.
Other diagnostic options:
In healthy people and a balanced diet, only very low concentrations of ketone can be detected in the urine, usually no more than 0.5 mmol/l.
Very high concentrations of ketone in the urine can be found in the following diseases or situations:
Ketone bodies can be detected relatively easily in the urine via ketone test strips. However, one should also pay attention to the water balance during the measurement, as this can have a great influence on the concentration of the ketones in the urine.
