Ketosis tests, signs and symptoms
The basic principle of the ketogenic diet is the state of ketosis, which will help you burn your fat stores as energy instead carbohydrates. However, it can often be hard to know whether you’re in ketosis or not.
So, here are 2 ways to know if your keto diet is WORKING!!
1-Ketone Testing Strips
Ketone testing strips “keto strips” are a quick and reliable way to know if you’re in ketosis. They were originally developed for people with type 1 diabetes to determine if they’re at immediate risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition.
how keto strips work?
In a state of ketosis, your body switches from depending on carbohydrates for energy to burning fat for fuel. When the body metabolizes fat, it generates molecules called ketones.
Ketone testing strips are used to measure the levels of these ketone bodies in our urine, therefore you can easily know that your keto diet is working.
Keto Strips will also help you discover what kicks you out of ketosis and how long it takes to get back into it. So you can perfect your ketogenic lifestyle and see the results you’re looking for.
How to use keto strips?
If you want to check your urine ketones day-to-day, stick with a specific time, like in the morning or several hours after your last meal of the day, for best comparison.
The process of using keto strips looks like this:
- Take a urine sample in a small container.
- Immerse the absorptive end of the strip into the sample for a few seconds, then remove.
- Wait for the amount of time outlined on the package for the strip to change color.
- Compare the strip with the color chart on the packaging.
- Dispose of the urine and strip in an appropriate manner before washing your hands.
The color corresponds to the concentration of ketones in your urine, which can range from no ketones to high concentrations. The darker the color, the higher your ketone levels.
When do keto strips expire?
The strips typically expire within three to six months after opening, so keep in mind how often you intend to use them.
Do you have to use the keto strips?
YES.. The Keto Strips provide a quick way to know if your body is producing ketones, especially during the first couple weeks of the diet. They help you understand the nuances of the ketogenic diet and how your body responds to it.
Are keto strips expensive?
Absoulty not, a pack of 100 strips only costs around 8 USD which is in my opinion a very cheap and easy way to track your keto diet progression.
Where can I get them?
The ketone strips are hard to be found in a local supplement store or a grocery shop, but I found them in an online supplement store Called Perfectketo, which sells it in a very cheap price along with many other supplements that made specifically for people who are following a ketogenic diet.
and don’t forget to use our coupon code: AB15 to get 15% off your whole order!!
Make sure to check it out at: http://bit.ly/2LGjPg6
2-Signs & symptoms
Ketosis is like the state of starving, so when you enter the state of ketosis, your body gives you signs and symptoms that you are not eating enough.
1-Bad breath
It’s actually a side effect of a low carb-high fat diet. Many people on ketogenic diets and similar diets, such as the Atkins diet, report that their breath takes on a fruity smell.
This is caused by elevated ketone levels. The specific culprit is acetone, a ketone that exits the body in your urine and breath.
2- Rapid weight loss
Rapid weight loss commonly occurs when you start a ketogenic diet and severely restrict carbohydrates.
It can occur during the first week. While some people believe this to be fat loss, it’s primarily stored carbs and water being used up.
After the initial rapid drop in water weight, you should continue to lose body fat consistently as long as you stick to the diet and remain in a calorie deficit.
3-Increased ketones in the blood
One of the hallmarks of ketosis is a reduction in blood sugar levels and an increase in ketones.
Therefore, testing blood ketones levels is one of the most reliable and accurate method of measuring ketosis.
However, the main downside is that it requires a small pinprick to draw blood from your finger.
What’s more, a test kit cost around 30-40 USD, plus an additional 5 USD per test. For this reason, most people avoid blood testing and stick to the cheap and easy way (keto strips).
4-Loss of appetite
If you feel full and don’t need to eat as often as before, then you may be in ketosis.
The reasons why this happens are still unknown. But it’s been suggested that this hunger reduction may be due to an increased protein and vegetable intake, along with alterations to your body’s hunger hormones.
Also, the ketones themselves may also affect your brain to reduce appetite and make you feel full.
5-Changes in focus and energy
For a short-term, People often report brain fog, tiredness and feeling sick when first starting a very low-carb diet.
But for a long term, ketogenic dieters often report increased focus and energy.
This process happens as your body switch from depending on carbs as the main source of energy to burning fat as fuel.
So when you get into ketosis, a large part of the brain starts burning ketones instead of glucose. It can take a few days or weeks for this to start working properly.
6-Digestive issues
You might experience digestive issues, such as constipation or diarrhea, when you first switch to a ketogenic diet.
As the ketogenic diet generally involves a major change in the types of foods you eat.
Some of these issues should subside after the transition period, but it may be important to be mindful of different foods that may be causing digestive issues.
7-Sleep disorders
One big issue for many ketogenic dieters is sleep, especially when they first change their diet.
A lot of people report insomnia or waking up at night when they first reduce their carbs drastically.
However, this usually improves in a matter of weeks.
Many long-term ketogenic dieters claim that they sleep better than before after adapting to the diet.
Several key signs and symptoms can help you identify whether you are in ketosis. But some people don’t suffer from any of these symptoms.
So, If you want an easy, cheap and accurate assessment, use keto strips to monitor ketone levels in your urine on a weekly basis to make sure that you are on the right path.
