Which product is considered the majority of ketones in the body?

Beta-hydroxybutyrate is recognized as the predominant ketone body in the bloodstream during states of ketosis, such as fasting, prolonged exercise, or in conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis. It constitutes the majority of detectable circulating ketones, typically accounting for approximately 70% of the total ketone body concentration.

In the metabolic pathway of ketogenesis, acetoacetate is synthesized from fatty acids and is then converted into beta-hydroxybutyrate, particularly under conditions where the enzyme that interconverts them favors the production of beta-hydroxybutyrate. While acetone is produced in smaller quantities and is primarily a byproduct without significant energy value, its levels are considerably lower compared to beta-hydroxybutyrate.

Butyrate, while a short-chain fatty acid that can be derived from dietary fiber fermentation in the intestine, is not considered a ketone body and does not play a central role in ketosis. In summary, within the context of ketone body metabolism and their physiological relevance, beta-hydroxybutyrate is established as the most abundant ketone in the body.