What is the Difference Between Ketosis and Ketoacidosis

The main difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis is that the ketosis is a natural condition that occurs due to the metabolism of fat instead of glucose whereas the ketoacidosis is a disease condition that occurs due to inadequate uptake of glucose into the cells from the bloodstream as a result of low insulin levels.

Ketosis and ketoacidosis are two conditions of the body that result in increased ketone levels in the body.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Ketosis
     – Definition, Facts, Influence
2. What is Ketoacidosis
     – Definition, facts, Influence
3. What are the Similarities Between Ketosis and Ketoacidosis
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Ketosis and Ketoacidosis
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Diabetes, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), Fat Burning, Ketoacidosis, Ketones, Ketosis

What is Ketosis

Ketosis is a metabolic state that arises due to the metabolism of fat instead of carbs. Carbohydrates provide glucose, which serves as the primary fuel to the metabolizing tissues of the body. When adequate amounts of glucose are not available for the tissues, the body tends to use fat, instead of glucose. Fat burning can be induced with a low-carb diet that contains restricted levels of glucose.

Figure 1: Ketogenesis

The burning of fat releases fatty acids into the blood, which are transported to the liver to get oxidized. The oxidized fatty acids are converted into ketones, which can be then used as an energy fuel. Some people believe that ketosis is a dangerous situation since the brain does not get enough glucose to work. But, under low glucose conditions, the liver carries out another process called gluconeogenesis, which produces an adequate amount of glucose required for the function of the brain.

What is Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis is a disease condition associated with type I diabetes and sometimes type II diabetes. Thus, ketoacidosis is often called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The main reason for ketoacidosis is the lack of insulin in the body. Insulin is the hormone that makes glucose available to the metabolizing tissues of the body by facilitating the uptake of glucose into the cells from the bloodstream. Therefore, though glucose is readily available in the bloodstream, cells of the diabetic patients cannot uptake glucose due to the absence of insulin. At this point, the body enters a situation called starvation. Therefore, ketones are produced to use as an alternative energy fuel. This process is similar to ketosis.

Figure 2: Diabetic Ketoacidosis

In normal individuals, insulin regulates ketosis to prevents the overproduction of ketones. Unfortunately, in diabetic patients, no insulin is available for the regulation of ketosis. On the other hand, the glucose levels in the blood keep elevating since no glucose is uptaken by the cells. The elevated levels of glucose in the blood increase the blood pH, which causes acidosis. The first symptom of ketoacidosis is the dry mouth.

Similarities Between Ketosis and Ketoacidosis

• Ketosis and ketoacidosis are two conditions characterized by the elevated ketone levels in the body.
• Ketones are the acids released into the blood as a result of the metabolism of fat.
• Also, both occur in the absence of glucose, which is the main molecule used in the production of energy.

Difference Between Ketosis and Ketoacidosis

Definition

Ketosis refers to a metabolic state characterized by raised levels of ketone bodies in the body tissues due to the consequence of a diet that is very low in carbohydrates while ketoacidosis refers to a feature of uncontrolled diabetes characterized by a combination of ketosis and acidosis.Thus, this is the main difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis.

Significance

Ketosis is a natural condition while ketoacidosis is a disease condition that has to be treated immediately. This is a major difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis.

Occurrence

Another difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis is that ketosis occurs with the consumption of a low-carb diet while ketoacidosis occurs in diabetic patients.

Significance with Glucose

Furthermore, low blood glucose levels cause ketosis, but in ketoacidosis, the blood glucose level is high.

Conclusion

Ketosis is a normal condition of the body, which arises as a result of fat burning with the consumption of a low-carbs diet. Ketoacidosis is a disease condition that arises due to the inability of cells to uptake glucose from the bloodstream. Therefore, the main difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis is their cause. 

Reference:

1. McIntosh, James. “Ketosis: What Is Ketosis?” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 21 Mar. 2017, Available Here
2. “Diabetic Ketoacidosis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 12 June 2018, Available Here

Image Courtesy:

1. “Ketogenesis” By Sav vas – Own workSources:File:Ketogenesis.pngFile:Acetyl-CoA.svgFile:Acetoacetyl-CoA.svgFile:Aceton.svgFile:Acetoacetate to beta-hydroxybutyrate.svgFile:HMG coenzyme A.svg (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia  
2. “Diabetic ketoacidosis concept map” By Mahatef – Zoom out – Pharmacotherapy Website (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia