Is My Body using Ketones

(jagan Bekkary) #1

Hi All,

I just started Keto Diet 8 days back, my keto urine stips shows Dark purple all the time from last 6 days.
I read that urine strips only shows ketones that are not used by body cells, is that mean my body not yet started using them.

Please advice.

Thanks,
BJM

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #2

Excellent question!

It is true that the only way we have to measure ketones is to measure what the body isn’t using, and it’s also true that ketones in the breath and urine are by definition “wasted,” but your body right now is still in the middle of changing over to using fat and ketone bodies, so don’t be discouraged. You are definitely producing ketones, which is the first step, so rejoice in that. Give it several weeks before you reach full fat-adaptation. It takes the body a while to readjust after years of burning glucose.

A lot of people find that their ketone measurements go down, once their body gets more efficient at using fat and ketones. Fortunately, you already know to expect that, so you won’t be panicking when it happens. In the meantime, just keep ketoing on, you’re doing fine!

I forgot to add that, if you keep measuring for any length of time, you may find your ketone levels going up and down at different times of day, and sometimes for no apparent reason. Don’t worry about it.

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #3

That’s correct, and to add to the comment above, it typically takes 6-8 weeks to become fully fat adapted.

(jagan Bekkary) #4

Thanks Paul and Katie for great info.

Quick question If my body not Keto Adapted and not using Ketones yet say for next 6 Weeks then what energy is it using, I completely shut my carbs almost less than 15.

Is that it has that much of reserves in some safe inside?

(Cynthia Anderson) #5

Posting so I can see replies. I have the same question.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #6

Your body is using at least some of the ketones, because it doesn’t have a choice, if you’re keeping your carbs under 20 g/day. Full fat-adaptation is when the muscles and other organs start metabolizing fatty acids as well as ketones, and for some reason, if your cells get out of the habit, it takes a while for them to get back into it. (It may have something to do with the fact that having to metabolize too much glucose for too long is bad for our mitochondria, the organelles in our cells that produce energy. It may take them time to recover from the damage, or they may have to produce new, healthy mitochondria. I don’t know.)

The good news, however, is that when the cells that can metabolize fat re-learn how to do so, they are much more flexible, metabolically speaking, and can handle a bit of extra glucose now and then with no problem and then get right back to burning fat and ketones.

(jagan Bekkary) #7

Thank Paul,

That explains why I am loosing weight before adapting Keto.

I lost 9 lbs in 9 days from 159 to 150 this morning. Weight loss is not my goal but good that I am seeing my belly shrinking. All the weight I am loosing is in Night while I sleep for 9 hours, before bed I check and after out of bed I check and I am seeing almost pound gone.

I am 5 ft 10 inches, with belly fat good that it is working. doing this mainly with coconut oil which I love. My goal to increase my HDL and lower my HbA1c which is 5.8

Thanks,
BJM