ketosis

noun

ke·​to·​sis kē-ˈtō-səs 

: an abnormal increase of ketone bodies in the body

ketotic

kē-ˈtä-tik 

adjective

Examples of ketosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The keto diet involves a carbohydrate restriction of fewer than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day to reach and maintain ketosis, a metabolic state in which the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. —Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 15 Oct. 2024

Because of that, be aware of the number of carbs per serving size of almond flour before consuming it to stay in ketosis while still enjoying baked goods and other breaded foods. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 15 Oct. 2024

People who follow a keto diet for weight loss usually restrict their carbohydrate intake to fewer than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day to enter into the metabolic state known as ketosis. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 3 Oct. 2024

The ketogenic diet has made ketosis highly popular over recent years. —Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ket(one) + -osis (after acidosis)

Note: The word ketosis was apparently introduced, somewhat hesitantly, by the American physician Frederick Madison Allen (1879-1964) in "The Role of Fat in Diabetes," American Journal of the Medical Sciences, series 2, vol. 153, no. 3 (March, 1917), p. 335: "The second basis of definition [of acidosis] is that of need and distinctiveness. Diminished alkalinity, increased hydrogen ion concentration, lowering of carbon dioxide, decrease of buffer salts, and (for the symptoms of these changes) acid intoxication—all these terms have definite meanings, and to appropriate the name acidosis for any one of them is merely to create a useless synonym. No other name but acidosis exists for the metabolic process which it denotes. Ketonuria and ketonemia have their accurate place but do not cover the ground. Possibly the word ketosis might be suggested and used for special purposes, but the change of established usage would be difficult and seems unnecessary."

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ketosis

noun

ke·​to·​sis kē-ˈtō-səs 

plural ketoses -ˌsēz 

1

: an abnormal increase of ketone bodies in the body in conditions of reduced or disturbed carbohydrate metabolism (as in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus) compare acidosis, alkalosis

2

: a nutritional disease of cattle and sometimes sheep, goats, or swine that is marked by reduction of blood sugar and the presence of ketone bodies in the blood, tissues, milk, and urine and is associated with digestive and nervous disturbances

ketotic

-ˈtät-ik 

adjective