It’s no secret that the keto diet is currently one of the most popular weight loss methods being followed and endorsed by celebrities across the globe. From Instagram influencers to athletes, it has been heralded by keto enthusiasts as the most effective way to lose weight, achieve a better physique, and even get rid of cellulite.
The foundation of the keto diet and its success is getting the body into a state of ‘ketosis’. This is achieved by depriving it of sugars found in carbohydrate heavy foods, thus forcing it to resort instead to burning stored fat or ketones. But how exactly do you know when you’re in ketosis?
There are a variety of ways to tell whether your body is in ketosis. Some methods are more reliable than others as they depend on physical signals that aren’t always consistent and could be indicative of something else, such as bad breath. The most obvious signal, of course, is weight loss. Appetite suppression and increased focus and energy will also tell you if the keto diet is working for you. However, these signs alone won’t tell you exactly whenyou are burning body fat and, if so, at what rate. Knowing this will help you to optimise the keto diet and exercise regimeand tailor it accordingly.
Is it possible to know at what rate your body is burning fat?
The good news is, yes. There are three methods of testing for ketosis – blood, urine and breath.
Blood tests
Traditionally, the most effective and accurate way to do this was by taking a painful pinprick blood test. However, blood testing comes with high consumable costs – up to £2 per strip – and requires fresh blood for each test. Ouch! Not ideal, unless you enjoy the prospect of becoming a pin cushion.
Urine tests
Slightly more user friendly and cheaper is acetoacetic acid measurement using urine test paper. However, there are drawbacks to this low-tech method. Not only is it inconvenient, urine tests are inaccurate and unreliable and can onlyrelate to your keto state 6 to 8 hours prior to testing, meaning pinpointing exactly when or if your body is in ketosis will be tricky.
Breathalyser tests
In the last few years some breathalyser manufacturers have tried to adapt electronic breathalyser semi-conductor sensorsto detect the acetone that is produced during ketosis. However, these devices, while relatively cheap, are generally inconsistent, are inaccurate at lower levels and can’t be calibrated, so have a fairly short lifespan.
KETOSCAN Mini is the world’s first portable cartridge-based analyser and, unlike the ketone breathalysers using electronic semi-conductors, it uses an ultra-precise electrochemical cartridge which measures ketones in the breath in real-time, making it one of the most effective ways to monitor ketosis. It has the additional benefit that it can be easily carried in a bag or pocket allowing accurate readings to be taken anytime you choose.
Whatever your motivation is for following a keto lifestyle, good diet and regular exercise will always be key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Buy KETOSCAN Mini now, with free UK delivery.