Will I get better ketogenic weight loss with a darker ketone strip result? | Lindora Clinic (2024)

FAQs

Will I get better ketogenic weight loss with a darker ketone strip result? | Lindora Clinic? ›

Any color on the ketone strip, from pink to purple, indicates fat burning (ketosis). Some people get a darker ketone strip color and achieve the same weight loss results as someone with a lighter color. Your “positive” color result can vary throughout the day for many reasons.

If you are following Dr Atkins' plan and so testing regularly, the preferable colour really is a pale pink. This is an indicator that your body is in its optimum fat burning zone, using everything that you are producing and not dumping any excess.

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. Summary. Urine strips are an easy and convenient way to measure ketosis. Follow the directions on the kit for the most accurate results.

The optimal blood ketone range is 0.5 to 3.0 mg/dL. Maintaining this ketone level will help your body use stored fat in the most effective way possible without causing harm. It will help you become a lean, mean fat-reducing machine.

Note: mmol/L stands for millimoles per liter, and it refers to the concentration of ketones in a specific amount of liquid—in this case, your urine. In a well-formulated ketogenic diet, the ketosis falls between 0.5 and 2 mmol/L. High ketones are not good for everyone.

For most people, “low” or “higher” ketone levels don't make a difference for health and weight loss, and in general we do not recommend shooting for a specific ketone level. However, for some people stalling at weight plateaus while on a low carb diet, trying to raise ketone levels may be of benefit.

You're eating too many carbs

One of the main reasons people don't lose weight on the ketogenic diet is that they're consuming too many carbs.

The sweet spot for weight loss is 1.5 to 3.0 mmol/l. This level of nutritional ketosis is recommended by researchers Stephen Phinney and Jeff Volek. Ketone levels of 0.5 to 1.5 mmol/l, light nutritional ketosis, is also beneficial although not to the degree of full nutritional ketosis.

How Much Weight Can You Lose in a Month on Keto? Individuals on a keto diet can lose an average of 10-12 pounds in their first month if they stay consistent with the diet and maintain a calorie deficit. However, weight loss can vary depending on starting weight, age, and activity level.

General treatment guidelines to control ketones include: Drinking plenty of water or other calorie-free fluids to aid in the removal of ketones from the body. Taking insulin as directed by the physician to lower your blood glucose level. Rechecking your blood glucose and ketone levels every three to four hours.

What ketone level is too high on keto diet? ›

Ketone levels higher than 10 mg/dL are dangerous.

Following an aggressive keto diet can also cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

Darker colors indicate higher levels of ketones. You can also do a blood test for ketones, similarly to how a blood glucose monitor works.

Ketone supplements have been shown to decrease appetite, which may help you lose weight by eating less. In one study in 15 people of normal weight, those drinking a beverage containing ketone esters experienced 50% less hunger after an overnight fast than those drinking a sugary beverage ( 13 ).

An abnormal result means you have ketones in your urine. The results are typically listed as small, moderate, or large as follows: Small: <20 mg/dL. Moderate: 30 to 40 mg/dL. Large: >80 mg/dL.

When that's the case, dieters should aim for the 3.0–5.0 mmol/L range. Levels higher than 5.0 mmol/L can occur when fasting. Extremely high ketone levels (8.0–10.0 mmol/L) trigger a life-threatening illness called ketoacidosis.

Having ketones in the blood is probably the most definitive sign that someone is in ketosis. Doctors may also use urine and breath tests to check for ketone levels, but these are less reliable than blood samples. A special home testing kit allows people to measure their own blood ketone levels.