See Also: Ketones (Ketone Bodies)(health)
ketone bodies(medicine)
amino acid chloromethyl ketones(medicine)
Asbestos bodies (aka ferruginous bodies)(health)
ketone(dictionary)
ketone(encyclopedia)
Ketone(health)
Ketone(medicine)
dimethyl ketone(medicine)
ketone alcohol(medicine)

Ketones (Ketone Bodies) (health)


Chemicals that the body makes when there is not enough insulin in the blood and it must break down fat for its energy. Ketone bodies can poison and even kill body cells. When the body does not have the help of insulin, the ketones build up in the blood and then "spill" over into the urine so that the body can get rid of them. The body can also rid itself of one type of ketone, called acetone, through the lungs. This gives the breath a fruity odor. Ketones that build up in the body for a long time lead to serious illness and coma.