09/09/2025
When your body runs low on carbs (like during fasting, a low-carb diet ) it starts burning fat for energy in a different way:
1. Fat stores are broken down – The fat you carry in your body is stored as triglycerides. When needed it is split into glycerol and fatty acids.
2. Fatty acids go to the liver – In the liver these fatty acids are broken down into smaller units called acetyl-CoA.
3. Carb shortage changes the process – Normally acetyl-CoA combines with byproducts from carbs to make energy. But if carbs are scarce that pathway slows down.
4. The liver makes ketones instead – To keep things running your liver turns acetyl-CoA into ketone bodies.
5. Ketones fuel your body – These ketones are sent into the bloodstream where your brain muscles and heart can use them as an alternative energy source.
