Question

Why

• starvation
• decreased carbohydrates in the diet
• diabetes ketoacidosis

               increased catabolism of fats?

Answer 1

Crbohydrates are an important source of energy in the body. If there is too little or no carbohydrates in the diet, slowly the stored sugar will be used up to provide energy. After this, the body will start using fats as a source of cellular energy. When fats are metabolized, ketones build up in the blood leading to a condition called ketosis.

Diabetes ketpacidiosis occurs when there is not enough insulin to move glucose into the cells where it can be oxidized to release energy in the form of ATP, CO2 and H2O. As the availaility of sugar molecules become scarce, the cells start using fats as a source of energy. This increases the rate of fats catabolism and also ends up in a increased ketone levels in the blood which results in ketoacidiosis. The high build-up of keto anions in the blood results in acidiosis.