Importance Of Tracking Blood Ketone Levels During A Keto Diet
In the world of nutrition, the ketogenic diet has become a popular way of losing weight and boosting mental clarity. The eating plan of the keto diet focuses on meals that are high in healthy fats, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. The diet works by lowering the body’s glucose levels and converting fat into energy.
In this process, the body produces Ketone molecules which it uses for fuel. Burning of fat further contributes to weight loss. Keeping track of ketone levels using a blood ketone meter provides valuable feedback that tells people about the progress and which modification needs to be adapted to achieve their health goals.
What Is Ketosis?
In its general state, the body’s cells use energy from blood glucose (sugar). The consumption of carbohydrates causes glucose production in the body. Due to the lack of sufficient glucose in cells, the body starts burning stored fat for energy. This process is called Ketosis when the liver naturally produces ketones. Increasing Ketosis can accelerate weight reduction and provide other advantages like improved health, appetite control, and mental clarity.
Diet and activity have an impact on the presence of ketones in the blood, and when ketones are present due to a lack of insulin, it results in further ketone synthesis from exercise. Reaching the blood ketone levels at 1.5 mmol/L is ideal for getting maximum results in Ketogenic Diet.
Risks of Higher Level Ketones In Blood
If the body breaks down fat too quickly, excessive ketones can accumulate in the blood and urine. High ketone levels make the blood overly acidic. If left untreated, Ketoacidosis can cause disease and potentially put the organs at risk. The most common type of Ketoacidosis is diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) which is a life-threatening medical emergency and can swiftly progress to a coma.
What is a Blood Ketone Meter?
Monitoring the ketone levels while on a ketogenic diet is important to ensure that the body is at a healthy amount of Ketosis. The most effortless way to check ketone levels is to use a blood ketone meter. These are smart devices that measure the ketones present in the bloodstream. A ketone meter kit includes a lancet pen and ketone test strips.
How To Test Ketone Levels for Ketogenic Diets?
If blood glucose is normal, blood ketones may be highest in the morning following the overnight fast. Ketones may also increase during the day. One should pick a particular time of day and sticking to it will provide the finest comparisons in tracking daily blood ketone levels. A blood ketone test is performed similarly to a blood glucose test-
Activate the meter and insert a blood ketone strip.
Use the lancing tool to prickle a finger.
Allow blood to reach the ketone strip and wait for the results
Dispose of the test strip safely.
Place the lancet in a sharps bin for disposal.
How to Analyze the Results
It can take two to four weeks of a Ketogenic Diet to consistently reach nutritional Ketosis. An average blood ketone level is less than 0.6 mmol/L. 0.6 to 1.5 mmol/L – shows that more ketones than usual are being formed. Ketoacidosis risk is evident with a high level of ketones, between 1.6 and 3.0 mmol/L. Consulting with a healthcare provider is crucial at this moment. When ketones are over 3.0 mmol/L, it is harmful and needs to be treated medically right away.
Conclusion
Ketones and low-fat diets have made a splash in the fitness industry, driving technological breakthroughs that make monitoring ketones more efficient. People who follow a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet to keep their weight down will have higher blood ketone levels. To maximize diet effectiveness while minimizing the risk of developing Ketoacidosis, it is essential to track blood ketone levels using a blood ketone meter.