Hi all,

I would like to express a another viewpoint on ketone bodies. Joy quotes from
the Eades book. I have before me a copy of Professor Stryer's biochemistry
text Biochemistry (WH Freeman, 3rd edition 1988). What I read in Stryer's text
leads me a different conclusion from what the Eades say. Ketones are made when
fat breaks down in the absence of carbohydrates. The acetyl CoA formed when
fatty acids are oxidized enter the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) when there
is oxalacetate available for the condensation of the acetyl CoA and
oxalacetate to form citric acid. The citric acid cycle is the last common
metabolic pathway for the oxidation of amino acids, fatty acids, and
carbohydrates. Oxalacetate is used to form glucose when glucose levels are too
low and thus is unavailable for the formation of citric acid. The acetyl CoA
then forms acetoacetate and D-3- hydroxybutyrate. Contrary to what the Eades
seem to imply, ketones are NOT the preferred fuel for most body tissues.
Ketones are, indeed the preferred fuel for the heart muscle and the renal
cortex. But glucose is the preferred fuel for the brain and red blood cells.
The brain will use acetacetone, one of the ketone bodies,as fuel in starvation
conditions (Stryer p479). The brain must have a continual supply of fuel,
preferably glucose, to function.

Do I know for sure that high levels of ketone bodies in the mother's milk will
be harmful to a breastfeeding infant? No. I do know however that ketosis is
not a benign condition. Ketosis can lead to metabolic acidosis which can lead
to death. Yes, diabetics are particularly at risk, but there are many adults
with undiagnosed diabetes. I may be one of them. I'm not at all sure that I
want to take nutritional advice from folks who hawk their program on an
infomercial.

Just my .02
Warmly,
Carol Kelley LLLL
Taylors SC