During a DKA episode, the body starts using what alternative fuel source?

In a diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) episode, the body experiences an insulin deficiency, which leads to an inability to utilize glucose effectively. As a result, the body turns to alternative fuel sources to meet its energy demands. One of the primary alternative sources it utilizes is fat stores.

When insulin levels are low, lipolysis occurs, breaking down triglycerides stored in fat cells into free fatty acids. These fatty acids are then converted in the liver into ketone bodies, which the body can use for energy. This process is part of a metabolic state known as ketosis, which is characteristic of DKA. The accumulation of ketone bodies can lead to metabolic acidosis, which is a hallmark of this condition.

While proteins can also serve as an alternative energy source through gluconeogenesis, this process is less predominant compared to the utilization of fats during DKA. Carbohydrates and glucose are not effective energy sources during this state due to the lack of insulin. The reliance on fat stores signifies a significant shift in metabolic processes under stress conditions such as DKA, highlighting the body's adaptability to energy shortages.