Nutri Courses

Advisory

Ketone bodies

Ketone bodies are organic compounds that the body produces as a byproduct when metabolizing fats. This production increases when the body lacks sufficient glucose (sugar), its primary source of energy. This can occur, for example, during a low-carbohydrate diet, also known as a ketogenic diet. Ketone bodies then serve as an alternative energy source for the body, including the brain.

Hello.
You write "Ketones are thus a very advantageous fuel for the brain," but I have ingrained in my mind that it is exactly the minimal amount of carbohydrates that serves as fuel for the brain, as it cannot utilize ketone bodies. Can you explain more closely what you meant by that?

The energy metabolism is forced to adapt to the conditions provided by our diet. If we reduce the amount of carbohydrates to the maximum possible minimum and thus force the body to switch into ketosis, most brain cells will begin to use ketone bodies as an energy source. Some types of brain cells are only able to utilize glucose as fuel, so in a state of ketosis, they use glucose obtained partly from the diet and partly through the conversion of glycogenic amino acids.

Questions answered by

Mgr. Martin Jelinek
Lecturer and author of the educational system

Mgr. Martin Jelínek has been systematically involved in nutrition education since 1999. He is the founder of ATAC, the educational company behind NutriCourses, and the author of an educational system focused on nutrition, healthy lifestyle, and the practical application of nutrition knowledge.

He graduated from the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno. Throughout his professional career, he has combined nutrition, education, and the practical application of acquired knowledge. His educational system also includes the ZOF (Zone of Optimal Functioning) learning application, where students turn theory into practical work with meal plans.

In 2007, he launched the first intake of a six-month course focused on the education of nutrition advisors. Over time, this course became the foundation for the further development of the educational system and a range of specialised courses.

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