I've been loosely water fasting for about a a day and a half now (38+h); I use ketostix to test. A very slight level showed up about 38.08 h into the fast.
. I'm curious to know if I'm doing this correctly. Before, on OMAD, and with a ketogenic diet I got results indicating deep ketosis.
Is it the strips, the 10 calorie fish oil pill I consume, something else that's going on, being fat adapted?
Posted May 31, 2019, 12:54 AM UTC
In a normal metabolic state excreted ketones are an effort of the body to remove excess Hydrogen ions. As the body makes ketones an excess of Hydrogen ions are produced, which is what leads to the acidotic state of ketosis. Responding to this increased acidity the kidneys beging producing ammonium ions (NH4+). This ammonium must be bound up and the base of choice is ketones. So a fraction of the ketones produced gets used to help shuttle out the excessive hydrogen ions.
In a starved state the body begins conserving lean mass, protein, the source of the nitrogen in the ammonium. The carbonate buffering system begins picking up the slack here. What this conservation means is less nitrogen excretion and therefore less detectable ketones in urine.
If you use baking soda as a source of sodium electrolytes then the bicarbonate you consume eats up even more hydrogen ions further reducing ketone excretion even more.
tldr; ketone test strips are about as useful as pissing on the $10 bill you spent on them.
You'll notice things become a fraction slower, like you're slightly stoned.
A little bit of that has taken place, but also greater clarity and self control. It's very curious and exciting! Thanks for your observation; reassuring.
The strips test for ketones that you’re peeing out. One you’re into an extended fast, your body is, to ELI5 it a bit, going to be more frugal with the energy stores.
I wouldn’t worry so much about the Keto sticks. If you’re on a fast, you’re in ketosis.
appreciate your insight. Thank you