In which metabolic condition does ketone production typically increase?

Ketone production typically increases during periods of starvation or low carbohydrate intake. This metabolic state occurs when the body has limited access to glucose, its primary source of energy. In the absence of sufficient carbohydrate, the body shifts to fat metabolism, leading to the breakdown of fatty acids into ketone bodies. These ketones can then be used as an alternative fuel source by various tissues, including the brain, when glucose levels are low.

In contrast, conditions like diabetes insipidus primarily affect water balance and do not significantly influence ketone production. Excessive protein intake may lead to gluconeogenesis, where the liver converts amino acids into glucose, but it does not directly promote ketone production unless carbohydrate intake is also low. High insulin levels typically suppress ketogenesis because insulin promotes the storage of glucose and fat, reducing the need for the body to produce ketones as an energy source. Thus, the most appropriate context for increased ketone production is indeed during starvation or low carbohydrate intake.