A recent statement released by the Los Angeles County coroner revealed that the cause of death of Johnson and Johnson Heiress Casey Johnson is Diabetic Ketoacidosis. So what is Diabetic Ketoacidosis?

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a state of inadequate insulin levels resulting in high blood sugar and accumulation of organic acids and ketones in the blood. Diabetic Ketoacidosis patients usually experience to severe dehydration and significant alterations of the body’s blood chemistry.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis or DKA is a complication in patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetic Ketoacidosis happens predominantly in those with type 1 diabetes, but it can occur in those with type 2 diabetes under certain circumstances. Most often, these are diabetics younger than 25 years, but the condition may occur in diabetics of any age. Males and females are equally affected with this Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis occurs when the body has no insulin. This leaves the muscle, fat, and liver cells unable to use glucose (sugar) in the blood as fuel. Other hormones such as glucagon, growth hormone, and adrenaline cause fat to break down within the cells of these tissues into glucose and fatty acids. These fatty acids are converted to ketones by a process called oxidation.

In Diabetic Ketoacidosis condition, the body is literally consuming muscle, fat, and liver cells for fuel!