Sat, Jun-15-02, 12:33
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Senior Member
Posts: 1,110
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Plan: atkins/protein power 1st
Stats: 269/278/210
BF:33%/30%/ ?
Progress: -15%
Location: Hertfordshire
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Ketostix
I think it might be worth a debate here about ketostix and the colour purple and what it all means.
The reaction of acetoacetic acid with the nitroprusside in the strip is a progressive reaction. It is a true measurement.
The strips are not like a pregnancy test positive or negative.
The mesurement by gradation of colour shows mmol per litre
Trace 0.5
small 1.5
moderate 4
large 8+
The following is a quote from Atkins Basic Diet Manual:
"If it is light purple, you're burning fat slowly. If its dark purple, you're deeply into ketosis, and the fat is flying off. In spite of your natural temptation to lose weight quickly, the proper degree of purple is the one that makes you feel physically at your best.
Use your urine testing stix at the same hour each day. Usually evening is best. That's when you'll get the deepest reaction.
The stix should start turning purple on or about the third day of induction"
An FAQ on the Atkins site also says:
"When your body releases ketones in your urine, it is chemical proof that you’re consuming your own stored fat. And the more ketones you release, the more fat you have dissolved."
We do know that the more water we drink the more dilute the urine will be and this can affect the darkness of the reaction.
You are recommended by Atkins to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Drinking less does not necessarily mean that you are dehydrated.
If the stix are in the darkest purple above 10mmol/L it is possible that you have not had enough water but the stix of them selves are a measure of ketones and not hydration. Diabetics drink gallons. This is a major symptom of the disease. The strips are specifically designed for them.
False positives for ketones may occur with highly pigmented urine.
But this does not mean the darker urine you get in the morning. Very dark pigmented urine is normally a symptom that needs a doctor to investigate. As said earlier the typical reaction is less in the morning because the number a ketones is less and higher after you have been up and about and after vigorous exercise. (Agonycat is suggesting the reverse)
The point for Low carb dieters following a ketogenic diet like Atkins is to use the stix as a guide to when you are in ketosis but still eating good, quality, and sufficient protein and low carbohydrate foods.
Anorexics and those on starvation diets will go into ketosis too but low calorie and starvation is not what this is all about.
So in a sense Agonycat is right, we should use the stix as.... in ketosis/out ketosis or as most of us do. ........
don't bother to buy a second bottle!
Last edited by rustpot : Sat, Jun-15-02 at 14:49.
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