ß-Hydroxybutyrate is a metabolic marker of blood sugar utilization and insulin function.
Beta-hydroxybutyrate is 1 of 3 sources of ketone bodies. Its relative proportion in the blood (78%) is greater than the other 2 ketone bodies, acetoacetate (20%) and acetone (2%). During carbohydrate deprivation (starvation, digestive disturbances, frequent vomiting), decreased carbohydrate utilization (diabetes mellitus), glycogen storage diseases, and alkalosis, acetoacetate production increases.
High levels:
Elevated β-Hydroxybutyrate is a sign that extra chromium and vanadium may be warranted. It is also a byproduct of ketosis. Ketosis occurs when cells do not get a steady supply of sugar from dietary carbohydrate, so they burn fat instead. If you do not eat carbohydrate-rich foods or if your insulin is not working, then you can have metabolic ketosis. It is not necessarily a serious matter, but your doctor may need to find out just what the cause is. Beta-hydroxymethylbutyrate is a ketone body.
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If HIGH Consider supplementing with chromium, vanadium, and lipoic acid.
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