HOW TO MEASURE KETOSIS
When you’re figuring out the ways to maintain your restricted keto diet, a thought crosses your mind and makes you think, ‘How am I suppose to know if I’m in ketosis?’ According to an old saying (which seems quite relevant now), you have to test it to believe it, or else guessing won’t help.
Only after knowing the level of ketones in your body, you can determine if you’re in ketosis or not to purse all those benefits of a keto diet.
Types of Ketones
There are three main types of ketones: acetone, acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutryate (BHB). Each of these compounds is linked to a different function in the ketosis metabolism and can be determined individually using a variety of techniques.
Measuring ketones: pros + cons
When the ketone (acetoacetate) is produced excessively, the body excretes it via urine. The only way to measure the excess amount of acetoacetate is simply using urine strips. It’s common, easy to use and way too cheap.
Unfortunately, with some pros, always come some cons. This test is not always reliable and can be misleading when it shows less ketones in contrast to the deeper ketosis you’re in.
#2 Breath-Ketone Analyzers
Due to its volatile nature, acetone can be measured via the breath. Various devices, such as BrAce and ketotonix, are used for measuring acetone levels. Some of these devices show different colors at various frequencies depending upon the level of acetone in your breath.
However, these are just about $50 more expensive than the urine strips, but are reusable, unlike the former ketone measuring technique. As for its cons, the results aren’t accurate and can be misleading; plus, you can’t carry it around and should have a computer associated for the reading.
#3 Blood-Ketone Meters
The most important ketone that our body produces is the BHB, which doesn’t stay in the cell, but rather is carried in the blood stream (to the cells, obviously!). The only way to measure its levels is to test your blood. It’s as simple as testing diabetes at home by pricking a finger, squeezing it for a drop of blood, tap it on the strip, and let the machine give you the exact amount of ketones in your blood.
Unlike the aforementioned methods of ketone testing, blood-ketone meters are accurate, reliable, and the readings don’t fluctuate when you’re dehydrated. On the other hand, it’s going to cost you way too much, if you ask me! With a meter with 10 testing strips and 30 needles, you’re going to have to pay $120 along with $3 per test after that. And by the way, pricking yourself is going to hurt a lot.
So, think about it and aim to keep yourself healthy with the hope for a healthy life. Yay for Keto!
