Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

2

I know there are many great recommendations on this site regarding healing your gut, getting into ketosis, switching to burning fat as your preferred source. But seeing as though everyone is different, are there DEFINITIVE tests or ways to KNOW you have acheived any of the above referenced states.

edited Apr 20 2011 at 20:44

asked Apr 20 2011 at 18:37

Todd
5,837●1●11●39

Dave S. · Answer 1 · 2011-04-20 19:16:45Z UTC

1

Ketostix allow you to test for ketonuria (ketones spilling into the urine) which is positive proof of ketosis. But just because they are negative, doesn't mean you are not in ketosis.

answered Apr 20 2011 at 19:16

Dave S.
20.9k●1●11●65

	Which would not be a definitive test then. This is one of the reasons I asked this question, because my Ketostix often come up negative, but I feel like I'm in ketosis more often than not. – Todd Apr 20 2011 at 20:46
	actually ketostix only show that youre spilling ketones, if youre using all of them, you can still be in ketosis and not turn the stick. – Stephen-Aegis Apr 20 2011 at 22:07
	I assume you could get a serum ketone test, but that seems like overkill. As long as your carb intake is lowish (<50g per day) you are probably in some degree of ketosis most of the time. Even at higher levels, you probably drop into ketosis between meals or while fasting. – Dave S. Apr 21 2011 at 12:43

Lee · Answer 2 · 2011-04-20 19:46:47Z UTC

1

I agree with Dave. I think I'm in ketosis even though Ketostix say I'm not (or am barely).

I go largely by what's happening with my body - am I losing weight, seeing my body lift up from my waist to my shoulders and arms, etc.?

If you are going to use Ketostix, keep in mind that exercise may cause your body to burn ketones, causing them to not show up in your urine. Also, they're more likely to be there first thing in the morning than later in the day.

answered Apr 20 2011 at 19:46

Lee
1,809●4●14

	If you're in ketosis for an extended amount of time, the body would start using most of the ketone bodies (exercise or not) instead of excreting them in the urine, right? – Jon Lund Steffensen Apr 20 2011 at 21:35
	the longer you are in ketosis and the more glycolytic exercise you do the higher you drive your cortisol and you create a bigger problem. You either back off the exercise of eat more carbs post work out. – The Quilt Apr 21 2011 at 3:39
	What evidence do you have that prolonged ketosis drives up cortisol, Dr. K? – Ambimorph Apr 21 2011 at 14:46

How do you know? Healthy Gut, Ketosis, Fat Burner

2 Answers