What are ketones?

Byproduct of fat: Body uses glucose to make energy - in diabetic when they eat acidic foods - for energy need body switchs to burning fats instead of energy and the end product from fats is ketones - in critical care they have started measuring Lactic Acid as the early signsfor sepsis which is what keto acidosis is high Lactic Acid levels as by product of this problem - coma in diabetic -so keep body ph6.8-7.4.

Alternate fuel: Ketones develop when the body is unable to use glucose as a source of fuel. Ketones are the result of fat breakdown and can become dangerous when patients with diabetes get them as a metabolic crisis called, diabetic ketoacidosis (dka), may occur. Dka may also occur in people without diabetes if they go on high protein diets and become dehydrated.

Alternate fuel: Prolonged fasting, or with Insulin deficiency, the body runs out of glucose or it can't use what's there if Insulin levels are too low. The body makes ketones as an alternate source of fuel for brain and heart when that happens. Prolonged ketosis isn't healthy; the rest of the body is starved and ↑risk for ketoacidosis which causes acid buildup in the body. One can get quite sick from ketoacidosis.