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Beta-Hydroxybutyrate

Meaning

Beta-Hydroxybutyrate, or β-OHB, is the most abundant of the three primary ketone bodies produced during a state of ketosis. This crucial metabolic intermediate is a lipid-derived molecule synthesized by the liver when glucose availability is restricted. It serves as a highly efficient alternative fuel source for peripheral tissues, most notably the brain and heart. Clinically, elevated β-OHB levels are indicative of a shift toward fatty acid oxidation for energy, a process integral to metabolic flexibility.