So, do ketostix work?
A question we often see come up when we see people running the keto diet is are they in keto?
The next questions is whether they are in keto because their ketostix indicate no ketones (often having previously shown that they were).
There is a good reason for this!
What is the reason?
First off, we need to understand what ketostix actually measure, and more importantly, what they don’t. Generally speaking, ketostix measure excess ketones in your urine.
Of the three types of ketones (acetate, acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate) produced by your body, ketostix only measure acetoacetate.
Why can I not see the acetoacetate on the ketostix?
When you start restricting carbs, at first your muscles use both beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate for fuel, but after awhile, they begin taking the acetoacetate and converting it to beta-hydroxybutyrate, and returning that to your serum. Therefore because its converted it doesn’t show acetoacetate on the stix, giving you a false impression that you are not in keto.
What can I do? Am I in ketosis?
The best option is to get a digital ketone monitor. This measure all three ketones and accurately checks levels for you. Other than this the simple fact you are readily dropping fat
