How many ketones are too much?

[missnikki217]

Hi All. Im on my 10th clean induction day!! I should say back LoL

I've been testing with my ketostix that I bought in the diabetic section at wal-mart, and I'm on the darkest color - its like a dark maroon, which is 180 ml/dl..

What im wondering is - is this a bad thing? I mean, as long as I am burning fat and not muscle, I'm happy. But theres a little health monster-nag inside of me thats making me wonder if im in diabetic range ketosis.

[cheryllynn]

I have heard other people on this board say that it can mean you are dehydrated... how has your water intake been??

[missnikki217]

I drink two 33.8 ounce water bottles a day, plus a little glass here and there... sometimes I have a diet soda as well. Is there anything else it could be??

[Lyssie]

You drink 68oz of water a day? I believe the minimum currently goes 64 + 8oz for every 25lbs you want to lose. Then again, I have already had about 100oz and it's 1.25pm... Also, you should be drinking more if you're exercising. The time of day that you test can change the color of the sticks, etc... You should also be drinking an extra 2 glasses of water for each diet soda or cup of coffee...

[missnikki217]

Thanks guys. Just wanted to know I wasnt in danger

[Greeneggs&ham]

Originally Posted by missnikki217

But theres a little health monster-nag inside of me that's making me wonder if im in diabetic range ketosis.

Atkins is quite adamant about pointing out that the ketones produced while burning body fat on this WOE (lipolysis) is different from ketoacidosis which is the problem of a diabetic. Diabetics have high ketone levels while ALSO ingesting large amounts of sugar. Assuming you are following this WOE correctly and were not previously diagnosed as a diabetic, you should not be concerned that you are in a "diabetic range."

While the advice to drink more water is not bad advice, it is possible that you as an indivdual produce more ketones when burning body fat the the average person and/or your body's primary means of excreting ketones is in the urine (as opposed to a combination of urine, feces, breath, etc.). As mentioned many times on this site, if you're in ketosis, you're in ketosis. The specific measurement is not necessarily of primary importance. Enjoy the "side effects" (aka weight loss) and spend a little less time worrying about the color of your test strips.

[gooniegirl]

"Ketones are one of the 2 fuel delivery-delivery substances in our bodies-the other is glucose. Whenever your body sees fit to utilize your alternative metabolic fuel, your stored fat, the biochemical agents it uses are ketones."

"Obese individuals were shown to be unusually 'ketoresistant'. This term means they find it unusually difficult to develop ketones, as those who lose weight easily do. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that overweight subjects produce just enough ketones to meet their immediate needs for fuel-and no more. Therefore the very people who need a ketogenis diet are the people in whom ketones will never accumulate. A dieter will have no more ketones after three months of cutting carbohydrates than after 3 days, So people, except insulin-dependent diabetics simply do not build up ketones.

Since people are overwight because of too much insulin, it is essentially impossible for ketoacidosis to happen to them.

Thia is from the old ADR as I can't find my new one. Hust be sure to drink 8 glasses or more of water to flush your system and hydrate you. It also helps the breath.
I'm just returning to this WOE after being away from it and thinking it mightn't be healthy. My doctor ORDERED me to go back on it and stay on it -reassuring me that it is definetly the best WOE for me.
Good luck! Way to go with the ketosis and the 10 days girl! Hang in there and drink that water!

[missnikki217]

Thank you again, everyone. Feedback is much appreciated

It wasn't that I was not enjoying the dark color (trUUUst me, I'm usually a trace-r ) just making sure I was doing everything right. I've done this many to the umpteenth power of times, but only twice where i've been invinceable to sweets, etc., and this is one of those times

[momtomany1]

I am very dark on days I exercise, lighter on days I do not. Notice any coorelation with your exercise?

[missnikki217]

Excercise? LOL

Haven't quite dedicated myself to a regimen :looks away: Only noticed after drinking all the water I did that they were still quite dark. Maybe I am just able to get into a deeper phase ketosis this 200th time around LoL

I wonder what WOULD happen if I exercised at this point.. Hmm...