Ketones

Ketones are molecules the body produces when it breaks down fats for energy, especially during periods of low carbohydrate intake or fasting. When glucose (sugar) isn't readily available, the liver converts fat into ketones, which then serve as an alternative fuel source for organs like the brain and muscles. This process is a natural metabolic state called ketosis. Ketones are useful for energy and can also be measured in the blood, urine, or breath to monitor this state. They play an important role in certain diets, like ketogenic diets, and have clinical significance in conditions such as diabetes.