Breath vs Blood Ketone testing

Breath vs Blood Testing

Ketogenesis

Studies show ...

Michel Lundell

Fatty acids

Increased AcetoAcetate will produce Acetone and Beta-hydroxybutyrate from excess AcetoAcetate

Liver

Fatty acids are broken down in the liver into acetoacetate (ketone)

Why does it not correlate better?

AcetoAcetate

Study objects : healthy, non dieting, in a 12 hrs fasted state. They where fed with ketogenic liquids during 24 hours.

Beta-hydroxybutyrate

Acetone

Acetone is spontaneously

released from the acetoacetate

Beta-hydroxybutyrate is formed

by excess AcetoAcetate and stored

in the blood stream.

Findings

The "issue" is ...

• 5 day water fast

• Beta-hydroxybutyrate increases from 1.0 to 4.8

• Acetone is high, increases after 4 days

• Glucose drops after 4 days

Reflections ...

• Beta-hydroxybutyrate is a product of ketogenesis and time

People have different levels of ketosis.

Time * (Level of ketosis) = Beta-hydroxybutyrate

• Acetone indicates ketogenesis

• High ketosis increases beta-hydroxybutyrate over time.

Breath acetone correlates well with blood glucose.

• Breath acetone correlates to glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate does not.

Method Comparison

Breath Acetone:

• correlates well with glucose

• indicates ketogenesis e.g the breakdown of fatty acids in liver to ketones (burning fat).

Blood Beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration is a product of ketogenesis and time.

The correlation between breath and blood ketones is not a simple conversion between units. It is two different substances and one is accumulated over time.

Highest concentration is in the bottom of your lungs

Technique is important, practicing is free and does not take long.

Tip #1: Do not inhale to exhale.

Tip #2: Exhale until you can't do more

Measures Acetone in breath (PPM)

A drop of blood is all thats needed. No special technique is required. Very popular method at hospitals and at your doctors office.

Penetration of your finger is needed to get sample of blood.

Each measure costs, be generous with your drop of blood so you don't waste a test-strip!

Measures Beta-Hydroxybutyrate in blood (mmol/L)