Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDEBy Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE
With ketogenic diets becoming more popular and increasingly recognized for their benefits across various health conditions, (1) there’s growing interest in describing the unique, healthy metabolic state created by this approach. Recently, the term “euketonemia” was proposed in this context.
What Is Euketonemia?
“Euketonemia” (pronounced yoo-kee-toh-NEE-mee-uh) describes the state of maintaining beneficial ketone levels in the blood, achieved through a ketogenic lifestyle. The term is derived from the Greek prefix “eu,” meaning “good” or “beneficial,” and “ketonemia,” which refers to the presence of ketones in the blood.
In short, euketonemia is the metabolic state where the body is efficiently using fat for fuel, producing ketones at levels that support health and energy without reaching dangerous extremes.
The term was proposed by Dr. Jeff Volek, a leading expert in ketogenic and low-carbohydrate diets. Dr. Volek and his colleagues have spent decades researching the effects of these diets, focusing primarily on metabolic health (2, 3) and physical performance.(4) He recognized the need for a more accurate term to describe the healthy level of ketosis that occurs during ketogenic lifestyles.
In a 2024 paper discussing the importance of optimal protein and carb intake during weight loss, Dr. Volek and colleagues described the levels of ketonemia based on beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations in the blood: (5)
- Hypoketonemia: <0.5 mmol/L
- Euketonemia: 0.5-5 mmol/L
- Hyperketonemia: >10 mmol/L
Dr. Volek notes that this terminology aligns with the established terms for describing blood glucose levels: “hypoglycemia” for levels that are too low, “euglycemia” for healthy blood glucose levels, and “hyperglycemia” for levels that are too high.
Importantly, optimal ketone levels within the euketonemia range can differ based on individual needs and health conditions. For example, people with type 1 diabetes on very-low-carb diets should stay within the lower end of the range, (6) while those with epilepsy or other neurological disorders may require mid- to upper-range ketone levels in order to experience benefits.(7)
Euketonemia: A New Term for Nutritional Ketosis
The term “nutritional ketosis,” popularized by Dr. Volek and his long-time collaborator Dr. Stephen Phinney, has been widely recognized for more than a decade. While it is still frequently used and appreciated, “euketonemia” provides a clearer distinction by emphasizing that this is a beneficial state of ketosis.
This distinction is crucial because the word “ketosis” can be misunderstood. Some associate it with unhealthy conditions like starvation ketosis or diabetic ketoacidosis, where ketone levels become dangerously high and lead to a life-threatening acid buildup in the blood. Euketonemia, on the other hand, highlights the optimal ketone levels that occur when ketosis is achieved and maintained within a safe, healthy range.
At Keto-Mojo, we plan to use “euketonemia” often and hope it becomes the standard term for describing the healthy metabolic state achieved through ketogenic living.
Note: Although euketonemia is beneficial and safe for most people, make sure to speak with your doctor or other health care provider before starting a ketogenic diet. This is especially important if you take any medications or have been diagnosed with a health condition.
References
- Long-Term Effects of a Novel Continuous Remote Care Intervention Including Nutritional Ketosis for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A 2-Year Non-randomized Clinical Trial, Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2019
- Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Focused on Normalization of Glycemia: A Two-Year Pilot Study, Nutrients, 2021
- Keto-adaptation enhances exercise performance and body composition responses to training in endurance athletes, Metabolism, 2018
- Nutritional Considerations During Major Weight Loss Therapy: Focus on Optimal Protein and a Low-Carbohydrate Dietary Pattern, Current Nutrition Reports, 2024
- Type 1 diabetes and low carbohydrate diets—Defining the degree of nutritional ketosis, Diabetic Medicine, 2023
Ketogenic diet for epilepsy and obesity: Is it the same? Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases, 2024
