Measuring Ketosis in the HCG Diet: HCG vs. Keto Diets
Measuring ketosis in the HCG diet is remarkably similar to ketosis metabolism in the popular Keto Diet. The big differences between the diets are the few fruits and restricted calories and fats in the HCG diet as compared to the Keto diet. Both diets offer a fast and safe weight loss plan. They are based on the concept that reducing carbs forces the body to use stored fat as fuel. In the HCG diet, the HCG hormone helps the mobilization of fat from the abdomen. This eliminates the need for high fat as seen in the keto diet. The total net carbs in the HCG diet is 40-50 grams per day compared to 20-25 grams in the keto diet. Measuring the degree of ketosis is the key.
Ketosis Transition: Signs of Fat Burning and Subsequent Weight Loss
In the Keto diet, the marked reduction of carbs to 20-25 grams per day and the introduction of large amounts of fat produces the ketosis. The milder reduction in carbs in the HCG diet coupled with less fat enhancement and the HCG hormone is responsible for most of the weight loss. In both diets the fat is mobilized from fat stores, especially around the belly and sent to the liver where its converted into ketone bodies and acetone. Ketones can be measured in the urine using keto stix. Recently, small portable Ketone Breathalyzers have been developed to check for acetone- a direct byproduct of fat burning in the breath. Both the 800 calorie HCG diet and the Ketone Diet share the same metabolic mechanisms and can use some of the new keto monitors like the Keto Breathalyzer as well as the older Keto Dip Sticks.. The diagram below shows you the mechanism of ketosis and how to monitor the process. Note the fat being mobilized from the abdomen.
Measuring Ketosis in the HCG Diet: Breathalyzer
Measuring ketosis can involve the old Keto strips or better yet a small portable KETONE BREATHALYZER that uses a breath-based method to measure ketone levels costing less than $12.00> You can tell you your fat-burning status in 10 seconds! Imagine that all you must do to measure ketones is press a button, blow into a device for 10 seconds, you instantly have your ketone levels shown. Ketone Breathalyzer does exactly that! With this small ketone breath meter, you can have your occasional cheat meal and still have the peace of mind of knowing what your ketone levels are, or adjust your diet to make sure you’re staying in ketosis. Measuring ketones via breathalyzer is the fastest and most accurate way to determine the degree of ketosis. The presence of ketosis tells you immediately if you are eating too many carbs. The major benefit of this ketone breath meter is the practicality of breath ketone levels as it can be assessed frequently with no invasive procedures helping individuals maximize their weight loss! In addition recognizing mistakes quickly avoids HCG diet plateaus.
Measuring Ketosis in the HCG Diet with Keto Strips
1. Ketois, a by product of burning fat occurs in the HCG and Keto Diet. It can be used to follow the diet progress. A negative test indicating the absence of fat burning. Being in ketosis means that your body’s primary source of energy is fat (in the form of ketones). When you consume adequate protein as well, there’s no need for the body to break down its muscle tissue. Ketosis also tends to accelerate fat loss — once the liver converts fat to ketones, it can’t be converted back to fat, and so is excreted.
2. Ketones suppress the appetite and make you less hungry.
3. Testing for Ketones will tell the status “fat burning” and if you can add new foods to the HCG diet or if you are making mistakes.
Is ketosis dangerous?
Being in ketosis by following a low carbohydrate diet is NOT dangerous. The human body was designed to use ketones very efficiently as fuel in the absence of glucose. However, the word ketosis is often confused with a similar word, ketoacidosis.
How do the ketone test strips show I am burning fat in the HCG Diet?
Measuring ketosis in the HCG diet can also use Ketone urine-testing strips, also called Ketostix or just ketone sticks. They are small plastic strips that have a little absorptive pad on the end. This contains a special chemical that will change color in the presence of ketones in the urine. The strips may change varying shades of pink to purple, or may not change colour at all. The container will have a scale on the label, with blocks of color for you to compare the strip after a certain time lapse, usually 15 seconds. Ketone test strips can be purchased at any pharmacy, and are usually kept with the diabetic supplies.
What does the Keto Stix Look Like and what color should the strip be if I am on the HCG diet and burning fat?
No. Testing in the darkest purple range all the time is usually a sign of dehydration — the urine is too concentrated. You need to drink more water to dilute it, and keep the kidneys flushed. The strips only indicate what’s happening in the urine. Ketosis happens in the blood and body tissues. If you’re showing even a small amount, then you are in ketosis, and fat-burning is taking place. Don’t worry about how dark your strip is.
Some low carbers NEVER show above trace or negative even … yet they burn fat and lose weight just fine. If you’re losing weight, and your clothes are getting looser, you’re feeling well and not hungry all the time .. then you are successfully in ketosis. Don’t get hung up on the strips; they’re just a guide, nothing more.
Keep Keto-Stix dry and always use first-morning urine. Dipping the stix in the urinary stream is just as good as collecting a sample Most HCG dieters keep the Keto Stix on the tank top of the commode.
Will drinking alcohol affect ketosis?
No and yes. The liver can make ketones out of alcohol, so technically, when you drink you’ll continue to produce ketones and so will remain in ketosis. The problem is … alcohol converts more easily to ketones than fatty acids, so your liver will use the alcohol first, in preference to fat. Thus, when you drink, basically your FAT burning is put on hold until all the alcohol is out of your system. For most people it takes about 2 hours to metabolize a single alcoholics drink. Since alcohol is most often consumed with the evening meal, it means that most of your dinner will convert to fat, especially the carbohydrates.
Richard Lipman MD is a endocrinologist and board certified internist who has treated more than 10,000 overweight patients in his Miami office with his new 800 calorie HCG diet for the past 10 years in Miami, Fl
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