Vivoo’s ketone box offers insight into the presence of ketones in the urine. Normally, no ketones are expected to be found in the urine. However, However, if you are following a ketogenic diet, this box can help you to track your ketosis state.
Ketones
Ketones are a type of chemical produced by the liver that is essentially a type of acid. The human body needs a certain amount of sugar (or glucose) to convert into the energy necessary to carry out essential functions. When the body is unable to get the glucose it needs, it starts burning fat instead. It is through this process that ketones are produced. In healthy individuals, ketone production results from the body adapting to starvation. As ketones are regulated by hormones, the blood sugar level never gets too high.
For those who are not on a ketogenic diet, high urinary ketone levels may result from:
- Skipping meals
- Not eating enough
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Prolonged hunger
- Eating disorders
- Fasting
- Long-term exercises
Here are the reference ranges that Vivoo uses for those not following a ketogenic diet:
- Label: Great Value: 0 mg/dL
- Label: Moderate Value: 5-15 mg/dL
- Label: Weak Label: 15-150 mg/dL
Reducing Ketone Levels
Sometimes, simple measures such as drinking enough water, adopting changes in your diet, preventing prolonged hunger, or taking a break from exercise can help bring urinary ketone levels back to a normal range.
Ketogenic Diet
Urine ketone tests are crucial for those following the ketogenic diet, as these tests offer a way for them to monitor the effectiveness of their diet. The ketogenic diet (also known as a low-carb diet) limits an individual's consumption of both carbohydrates and proteins. Thus, a large part of the diet is made up of fats. The diet's ultimate goal is to force the body to burn fats instead of glucose for energy to reach the “ketosis state”.
Individuals on a ketogenic diet should monitor their ketone levels to determine if their diet is working and whether their body is in the ketosis state. Ideally, you should measure your ketone levels at the same time every day so that your tests are not influenced by other external everyday factors. In addition, measuring your urinary ketone levels before eating anything can be more beneficial for monitoring your results.
That said, it can be challenging to determine whether your diet needs any adjustment for reaching and maintaining ketosis. This is because ketones will eventually not be found in the urine once the body adapts to ketosis. Instead of "leaking" ketones, your body will start "leaking" uric acid instead once your body is used to being in ketosis.
Your uric acid levels will also return to normal over time. This is a key sign of keto-adaptation. In other words, it means that your body has adapted to, adjusted, and accepted the ketogenic diet.
Here are the reference ranges that Vivoo uses for ketosis:
- Label: Negative Value: 0 mg/dL
- Label: Optimal Value: 5-50 mg/dL
- Label: High Value: 50-150 mg/dL
The best time to check your urinary ketone levels is in the early morning or late evening after dinner. Vivoo's urine test strips offer a straightforward and fuss-free method for determining whether you're achieving the optimal ketosis state during the first few weeks you are on a ketogenic diet. During this initial period, your body still can’t use ketones efficiently for energy, which is why your body excretes ketones through the urine. But as you get deeper into ketosis, your body adapts to using ketones for fueland becomes more efficient at producing and using them. This leaves fewer ketones to be excreted through the urine. As a result, if you’ve been in a keto-adapted state for many months, your urine may not contain significant concentrations of ketones and give you a "negative" reading, even if you're indeed in the ketosis state.
Vivoo provides you with a way to indicate that you’re on a ketogenic diet when using the App. Drawing on your urinary ketone levels, Vivoo provides you with personalized nutritional and lifestyle advice to help you reach the optimal ketosis state. This is particularly helpful if you've just started on a ketogenic diet and/or require dietary advice. Note that you don't have to be on a ketogenic diet to benefit from Vivoo. Monitoring urinary ketone levels can provide crucial insights into anyone’s overall wellness.
