Keto Urine Strips and other Alternatives to Measuring Ketones
Before discussing the different methods for measuring ketones, it is important to understand the importance of ketone. If you are looking to test the ketone level of your body, there is a high probability that you are on a ketogenic diet. This high fat, moderate protein and low carbohydrate diet plan shifts the metabolic pattern of the body to a state where body fat is utilized for energy synthesis. Ketones are produced during this process as the by-product, and provide a measure for the efficiency of the diet plan.
Measurement of Ketones
Acetone, Acetoacetate and Beta-Hydroxybutyrate are the three types of ketones found in the human body, and they are released through the breath, urine, and bloodstream respectively. This is extremely important in terms of measuring ketones in the human body.
Mentioned below are the most common alternatives to measuring ketones.
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Blood Ketone Meter: Amongst all methods to determine the ketone level of the body, this one is considered to be the most accurate. These meters measure the Beta-Hydroxybutyrate concentration in the blood with high precision. However, blood ketone meters are expensive, and the measurement process is invasive. Please note that readings between 1.6 and 2.9 mmol/L represents optimal ketone levels. All measurements above 3.0 mmol/L indicate high ketone level. Whereas, a reading of 0.5 mmol/L indicate extremely low level of ketone in the body.
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Breath Testing: This is another accurate method for the measurement of nutritional ketosis in the human body. This technique involves the measurement of acetone levels, and is popular because it is inexpensive as well as non-invasive. However, it is important to note that this method doesn’t always provide the most accurate indication of blood ketones because they can be affected by numerous factors such as water intake, consumption of alcohol, etc.
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Keto Urine Strips: This is the most common alternative used my millions of people to keep a track of their body ketone. The process involves the measurement of Acetoacetate through the urine. These keto urine strips are thin paper strips with absorptive pads containing chemical reagents capable of changing color in contact with ketones. Depending on ketone concentration, the change of color depth varies. The reading is obtained by comparing the changed color of the strip with the reference chart provided with the kit. The entire measurement process requires around fifteen seconds only. This measurement technique is extremely popular, and is quite accurate while entering ketosis. However, this is not the most accurate way to measure ketone levels after keto-adoption.
What is best for me?
The most suitable method for the measurement of body ketone depends entirely on your specific goals. If you have just started following a ketogenic diet plan, keto urine strips are a great option for you . These strips are cheap, and require no medical supervision or expensive measurement device. On the other hand, breath meters can be a good option for individuals looking to follow a ketogenic diet on long-term basis. Finally, if you are looking for pin-point accuracy, your only alternative is the expensive blood measurement.