1. Introduction A constant smell of acetone on the breath means the body is metabolizing fat for energy instead of glucose, resulting in the production of chemical byproducts known as ketone bodies. This specific, fruity, or nail-polish-remover-like odor most commonly indicates a benign, intentional dietary state called ketosis, achieved through strict low-carbohydrate diets or intermittent … Read more
1. Introduction Ketosis is a natural, physiological metabolic state characterized by an elevation of ketone bodies in the systemic circulation. This metabolic shift occurs when the body, deprived of its primary fuel source—dietary carbohydrates—transitions to utilizing stored fat for energy. Through a complex biochemical process within the liver, fatty acids are broken down and converted … Read more
1. Introduction Breath that smells strongly of rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover during a period of fasting is caused by the pulmonary exhalation of acetone, a natural byproduct of fat metabolism. When the body is deprived of external carbohydrates, it shifts its primary energy source from glucose to stored body fat, entering a metabolic … Read more