When no insulin is produced, the body utilizes ketone bodies as a fuel source for energy.
In the absence of insulin production, the body faces challenges in utilizing glucose for energy due to impaired glucose uptake. Consequently, it shifts to alternative energy sources in a hierarchical manner. Initially, glycogen stores are mobilized, but without insulin action, this process is limited. Subsequently, the body turns to lipids, breaking down fatty acids for energy.
As this process intensifies, ketone bodies, including acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate, become the primary fuel source. Ketone bodies are produced through the breakdown of fatty acids in the liver and serve as an alternative energy substrate when glucose metabolism is compromised.
This shift in metabolism, known as ketosis, is a characteristic feature in conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis, where insulin deficiency hinders the normal utilization of glucose, prompting the body to rely on ketone bodies for energy production.