Ketogenesis

Ketogenesis is the biochemical process in which living organisms produce ketone bodies. The production of these ketone bodies results when there is a breakdown of fatty acids. The acetyl-CoA that is produced in liver cells and is used in the citric acid cycle can instead undergo ketogenesis and produce ketone bodies. These ketone bodies cannot be used by liver cells and are released and transported through the blood stream. Our brains also are unable to use ketone bodies, only under certain prolonged periods of fasting does our brain begin to oxidize these ketone bodies as alternative energy. Both heart and skeletal muscle can easily metabolize there ketone bodies and use them for energetic purposes. Ketogenesis is essential to our bodies as there are times that our body does not have enough carbohydrates to keep working. At times like this is where our body metabolizes there ketone bodies for energy.  The ketogenic diet refers to the science of ketogenesis. Individuals are to keep a low-carb, high fat diet so that the body must use the fats consumed to produce ketone bodies and which are then used for energy.