5 Causes of Ketones in Urine

(Newswire.net — March 15, 2018) Cheyenne, Wyoming — Outside of diabetes, there are actually a number of reasons why one may detect ketones in their urine. But before getting there, it’s important to note that many people are unaware of ketones and their effects despite stimulating their production almost on a daily basis as meals are missed and exercise routines are ramped up. 

“The carbohydrates you eat are converted to glucose, which is the body’s primary source of energy,” states Lindora Clinic. “Whenever your intake of carbohydrates is limited to a certain range, for a long enough period of time, you’ll reach a point where your body draws on its alternative energy system, fat stores, for fuel. This means your body burns fat and turns it into a source of fuel called ketones. When you burn a larger amount of fat that is immediately needed for energy, the excess ketones are discarded in the urine.” 

So now that that’s cleared up, it’s time to dive into the specific occasions when ketones are produced and detectable in urine. FindaTopDoc.com has perfectly outlined the many ways it occurs and here we’ll share a few of the most common instances in which vigilance is of the utmost importance.

1. Keto diets, appropriately named such because they deliberately starve the body of carbohydrates and almost gorge it with protein to force the body into burning fat for energy to fuel bodily functions.

2. Naturally, diabetes ought to be kept under control, if not, the lack of insulin essentially opens the flood gates for ketones to dominate as a fuel source.

3. Excessive drinking of alcohol is a lesser known cause of ketone build up in the blood and is hence passed out through urine. Worst case scenario can lead to a state described as alcoholoic ketoacidosis.

4. Too much exercise is surprisingly a cause of ketones being found in urine. High intensity workouts trigger the burning of fat for fuel after all the carbs and glucose have been used up, hence, ketone production increases and the excess is peed out.

5. During pregnancy, eating a well balanced diet is super important as the hormonal changes cause insulin to be less effective in breaking down glucose. Moderate levels of ketones in urine are considered ok at this point, but high levels suggest an improper diet or that meals are being missed.

With these factors in mind, it’s always wise to keep a pulse on ketone levels. One way to do this is by conducting a quick and easy DIY urine sample test from home. The HealthyWiser™ Ketone Reagent Strips for Urinalysis is a reliable FDA approved option that yields results with 99% accuracy within seconds. Testing on a regular basis is the most effective way to track ketone levels as observing a trend over the long term can provide vital insight into just how well the body functions under varying circumstances.