[2] Common types of keto acids include: Keto acids appear in a wide variety of anabolic pathways in metabolism.
For instance, in plants (specifically, in hemlock, pitcher plants, and fool's parsley), 5-oxo-octanoic acid is converted in enzymatic and non-enzymatic steps into the cyclic class of coniine alkaloids.
[8] When ingested sugars and carbohydrate levels are low, stored fats and proteins are the primary source of energy production.
Glucogenic amino acids from proteins and/or Glycerol from Triglycerides are converted to glucose.
Alpha keto acids are used primarily as energy for liver cells and in fatty acid synthesis, also in the liver.