Fat consumption is not required for ketone production
Contrary to common belief, the consumption of fat is not required for ketone production. This is because there is a difference between the fat that we eat and the fat in our body. Ketones are made with stored fat (with the exception of MCTs). The fat that we eat gets absorbed in our digestive tract and packaged into little carriers known as chylomicrons. Chylomicrons travel through our bloodstream and are roped in by muscle and adipose tissue where they can then dump off the fatty acids they are carrying into cells to be used for energy or stored for later use.
However, chylomicrons only go to the liver to be disposed of after they have dumped their fatty acids, meaning they are not able to deliver significant amounts of dietary fat to the liver for ketone production. That means that the fat we eat will preferentially be used for energy by our tissues and not for ketone production. Thus eating more fat will not get your ketones higher or that it is necessary to be in a state of ketosis.
References
- Gustin, Anthony. (2019). Keto Answers Chapter 1. Understanding Keto (p. 21). Four Pillar Health.