"Exogenous" Ketones

Okay . . . so to refresh our conversation from yesterday. "Endogenous" ketones are what the body makes naturally.

And "exogenous" ketones are a "synthetic" source that comes from outside the body. Meaning some form of supplement.

Now . . . these supplements contain only "beta-hydroxybutyrate" ketones . . .

Whereas "endogenous" ketones (natural ketones) contain 3 elements

Acetoacetate - which is created first when fat is metabolized

Beta-hydroxybutyrate - which is created from acetoacetate

And Acetone - which is a spontaneously created side product of acetoacetate

And are all needed naturally for optimal health.

Now . . . the "exogenous" ketone body B-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is synthesized in the liver from fatty acids and represents an essential carrier of energy from the liver to our cells when supplies of glucose are too low (eliminating carbohydrates).

Okay . . . and supplement manufacturers make these "exogenous" ketone "salts" by adding artificial ketones to electrolytes, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. And the ketone "salts" can be found in keto drinks, pills and powders.

But . . . because ketones bodies are "acidic", a prolonged excess of the molecules in the blood can lead to a pathological form of ketosis, called "ketoacidosis", which the blood becomes too acidic.

This is the important part . . . so please be aware . . . this occurs when the body starts breaking down fat at a rate that is "much too fast". The liver then tries to process the fat into a fuel called ketones, which causes the blood to become too acidic.

Now . . . the body's natural way to reduce acid in the blood, is by expelling it through the heart and lung elimination process of carbon dioxide when we exhale.