Keto Strips: Effective Long-Term Weight Loss Solution?

Ketone test strips are used to measure the level of ketones in your urine when you're on a ketogenic diet. They are made from a type of paper that changes colour when it reacts with your urine. The strips are a convenient, non-invasive, and affordable way to test for ketosis, especially for beginners. However, they may not be suitable for long-term use as they are not always accurate, especially if you've been on a keto diet for several months. This is because your body adapts to using ketones for fuel, resulting in fewer unused ketones being excreted in the urine. Additionally, ketone test strips have a short shelf life, typically lasting only a few months after opening. For more accurate and long-term ketone monitoring, blood ketone meters are a better option, but they are more expensive and invasive.

How to use keto strips

To use keto strips, you'll need to purchase a kit from your local pharmacy or supermarket, or online. The strips are relatively inexpensive and usually expire within three to six months of opening.

• Wash your hands.
• Collect a urine sample in a small, clean container.
• Dip the test end of the strip into the urine sample. Alternatively, you can pass the end of the strip through your urine stream as you urinate.
• Wait for a few seconds (as indicated on the test package) for the strip to change colour.
• Compare the colour of the strip to the colour chart on the test package.
• Dispose of the strip and wash your hands.

For the most accurate results, it's recommended to test your urine at the same time every day, either in the morning or evening. It's also important to note that urine keto strips may not provide accurate results in the long term, as your body adapts to the keto diet and optimises ketone production.

Accuracy of keto strips

Keto strips are a good tool to measure whether you are in ketosis, especially during the first few weeks of starting a keto diet. They are affordable, easy to use, and provide results in seconds. However, they may not be accurate in the long term.

How Keto Strips Work

Keto strips are small strips of paper that change colour when they come into contact with ketones in the urine. The darker the colour, the higher the concentration of ketones.

Long-Term Accuracy

Over time, as your body adapts to using ketones for fuel, it becomes more optimised in producing them, leaving fewer unused ketones to be excreted in the urine. This means that, even if you are in ketosis, keto strips may indicate that your urine contains only trace amounts of ketones, or even none at all.

Alternative Methods

If you want a more accurate reading of your ketone levels in the long term, blood keto strips are a more suitable option. These are more expensive and require you to prick your finger to draw blood, but they provide a more accurate picture of your body's ketone levels.

Storage and Expiry

It is also important to note that keto strips are affected by air and humidity, and they tend to last only two to three months once opened. To make them last longer, keep the lid on tight and store them in a cool, dark, dry place.

Keto strips vs. blood keto strips

There are three types of ketone testing: blood, breath, and urine. Each method measures something different: blood tests measure beta-hydroxybutyrate levels, breath tests measure acetone levels, and urine tests measure acetoacetate levels. Beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, and acetone are all ketones produced during fat metabolism.

Urine Strips

Urine strips are a convenient and inexpensive way to test for ketosis. They are widely available over the counter and easy to use. The strips are made from a type of paper that changes colour when it reacts with your urine. The darker the colour, the higher the level of ketones in your urine.

However, urine strips are not a long-term solution for testing ketosis. They are most useful when you are just starting a keto diet or returning to one after a break. This is because, as your body becomes keto-adapted, it gets better at using ketones as fuel, so lower levels of ketones are excreted in the urine. Urine strips can also be affected by hydration levels, food consumption, and recent exercise.

Blood Strips

Blood keto strips are a more accurate way to test for ketosis, especially once your body has become keto-adapted. They are also more expensive and invasive than urine strips, as they require you to prick your finger to draw blood. Blood strips typically last 12-18 months before they expire, whereas urine strips expire within 3-6 months.

Urine strips are ideal if you are new to the keto diet and want an easy and affordable way to ensure you are headed towards ketosis. Once your body has become keto-adapted, blood strips are more accurate but also more expensive. In either case, the strips can help you monitor and adjust your diet to get into and maintain a level of ketosis.

Expiry of keto strips

Ketone test strips are a convenient way to test for ketosis, but they do have an expiry date. Most test strips will last between three to six months after opening, but some may last up to 12 or even 18 months. The expiry date will be printed on the packaging, and it's important to check this before using the strips, as expired strips may give inaccurate results.

To ensure the quality and longevity of your test strips, it's best to store them in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Additionally, always follow the storage instructions provided with the strips. For example, some test strips require you to replace the cap after each use and not to remove the desiccants.

It's also worth noting that ketone test strips are typically packaged in individual foil pouches to enhance sterility and preservation. However, once these pouches are opened, the countdown to the expiry date begins.

If you're unsure whether your test strips have expired or not, it's best to purchase a new pack to ensure accurate results.

Benefits of keto strips

There are several benefits to using keto strips, especially when starting a keto diet or after a cheat day. Here are some of the advantages:

• Convenience and Affordability: Keto strips are a cheap, quick, and easy way to test for ketosis. They are readily available over the counter at pharmacies and supermarkets, as well as online. While blood keto strips are more expensive, urine strips are a good option for those on a budget.
• Non-Invasive Testing: Urine testing is non-invasive and provides results in seconds. It is the most convenient testing method, especially for beginners, as it does not require pricking your finger like blood testing.
• Accountability and Progress Tracking: Keto strips help you stay accountable and connect your food choices, ketone levels, and how you feel at different levels of ketosis. Regular testing can help you monitor and adjust your diet to reach and maintain a state of ketosis.
• Detecting Diabetic Ketoacidosis: For people with diabetes, keto strips can be a helpful tool to ensure you are not in diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.
• Determining Ketone Levels: Keto strips can indicate whether you are in a state of ketosis, which is a natural state where your body burns fat for fuel. The colour change on the strips corresponds to the concentration of ketones in your urine, with darker colours indicating higher ketone levels.
• Flexibility: You can choose to test your urine at any time of day, although testing at the same time each day, such as in the morning or evening, can provide more consistent results.

Frequently asked questions