Alternatives to Ketonix
retirehappy
Posts: 3,513 Member
After waiting almost a month now for a Ketonix device, I still don't have one. They say FDA is holding up their shipment.
I seem to remember someone (@RalfLott or @GaleHawkins, maybe) that you can buy older style breathalyzers from eBay that will measure the same thing Ketonix does. I really want to get into nutritional ketosis for at least a while to see if these last stubborn lbs. will go away. I am fine eating low carb so far, but I think I need to drop into nutritional ketosis to get the job of weight loss done. I've only lost about a lb. over a month for the last few months. But I would really like to pick up the pace now.
Help please, with butter on top, because I avoid puncturing my skin whenever possible. I really don't want to use the blood monitoring device because I hate needles of all sizes and I am pretty darned frugal too
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I seem to remember someone (@RalfLott or @GaleHawkins, maybe) that you can buy older style breathalyzers from eBay that will measure the same thing Ketonix does. I really want to get into nutritional ketosis for at least a while to see if these last stubborn lbs. will go away. I am fine eating low carb so far, but I think I need to drop into nutritional ketosis to get the job of weight loss done. I've only lost about a lb. over a month for the last few months. But I would really like to pick up the pace now.
Help please, with butter on top, because I avoid puncturing my skin whenever possible. I really don't want to use the blood monitoring device because I hate needles of all sizes and I am pretty darned frugal too
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Replies
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I'm sure they will chime in with resources for the breathalyzer but you can get into keto without ever using one of course...
total carbs under 20g guarantees full time ketosis. Your body has no other option. It must make its own glucose and that's what puts you into ketosis.7 -
Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »I'm sure they will chime in with resources for the breathalyzer but you can get into keto without ever using one of course...
total carbs under 20g guarantees full time ketosis. Your body has no other option. It must make its own glucose and that's what puts you into ketosis.
Part of me knows that too well. But part of me wants to test it out to make sure I am where I think I am. I have been doing around 40 net carbs, was planning on working my way downwards from there with the device's help. Some will stay in nutritional ketosis at that level while others not so much 20 or less it must be. I need to know where I stand for my sanity's sake.
BTW, a big thanks for all the posts you do on this forum, it has helped me out a lot. I'm not diabetic but DH is, and so much of your information has helped me help him out. He is T2D, but trying to control his numbers without meds. He is a TOFI. And I think it was you who posted about the 2ketodudes forum and podcasts, love that stuff, thanks for that too.5 -
I'm pretty sure 2ketodudes have a post about the breathlizers too. You should be able to search on their forum. Maybe find it faster than on here..???
I'm glad you've been able to extract some useful nuggets from my contributions. I heartily believe diabetics deserve normal blood sugars and therefore need ALL the info mainstream resources don't bother offering.
Hoping for the best health for both of you.1 -
retirehappy wrote: »After waiting almost a month now for a Ketonix device, I still don't have one. They say FDA is holding up their shipment.
I seem to remember someone (@RalfLott or @GaleHawkins, maybe) that you can buy older style breathalyzers from eBay that will measure the same thing Ketonix does. I really want to get into nutritional ketosis for at least a while to see if these last stubborn lbs. will go away. I am fine eating low carb so far, but I think I need to drop into nutritional ketosis to get the job of weight loss done. I've only lost about a lb. over a month for the last few months. But I would really like to pick up the pace now.
Help please, with butter on top, because I avoid puncturing my skin whenever possible. I really don't want to use the blood monitoring device because I hate needles of all sizes and I am pretty darned frugal too.
@GaleHawkins is the one you want.
Here's a thread from the Reddit keto group:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1236978/breathalyzer-for-ketosis-check3 -
Thanks RalfLott, I got Amazon gift cards from my health insurer, so I ordered one from there, so it was free. If it doesn't work out, well, nothing lost except time. Much nicer than paying $200+shipping. Kinda glad Ketonix America couldn't fill my order now.
I had not known about that keto group on MFP either. Going to check it out some more.1 -
@retirehappy, there's also a plain ol' keto group, which is a bit more active than the reddit keto group. (@KnitOrMiss is a moderator there.)
The ketogains FB page has a lot of good info, too (thx for the ref, @Sunny_Bunny_)2 -
This is the one I got. I really dig it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VFWWNXO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_KiIT2RbG1Dbgk1 -
ebay.com/itm/Police-Digital-Breath-Alcohol-Analyzer-Breathalyzer-Tester-LCD-Detector-Test-Hot-/371361274194?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275
I use the one in this picture from Ebay.
Actually trying to learn how to use this tool was how I found MFP.
I learned by some old info from the developer of Ketonix that he was just using a sensor like in these $10-$15 units that are so cheap they are not computerized to filter out acetone readings like say a $100 unit.
From my Tool and Die background I see these cheap breathalyzers as a "Go-No Go gauge". Basically any thing above a 0.000 read out shows some breath acetone level.
They are cheap and you do not wind up with wet hands ever.
If you are serious about preventing a premature dead consider getting the blood meter to test blood sugar and ketone levels. I often find the ketone strips for $1.50-$2 on ebay.
I seldom ever test sugar/ketone levels but did tract them for months in the beginning.
Below is an informative piece as to who should not be in ketosis especially females and when.
drjockers.com/when-not-to-be-on-a-ketogenic-diet/#comments2 -
retirehappy wrote: »After waiting almost a month now for a Ketonix device, I still don't have one. They say FDA is holding up their shipment.
I seem to remember someone (@RalfLott or @GaleHawkins, maybe) that you can buy older style breathalyzers from eBay that will measure the same thing Ketonix does. I really want to get into nutritional ketosis for at least a while to see if these last stubborn lbs. will go away. I am fine eating low carb so far, but I think I need to drop into nutritional ketosis to get the job of weight loss done. I've only lost about a lb. over a month for the last few months. But I would really like to pick up the pace now.
Help please, with butter on top, because I avoid puncturing my skin whenever possible. I really don't want to use the blood monitoring device because I hate needles of all sizes and I am pretty darned frugal too.
It sounds like they have moved from direct sales to a distribution set up.
This technology if iffy at best. How hard to blow, when to start blowing, etc ready can impact the read out.
I do use my $15 most days just for the heck of it. I can tell the heavy use of Pycnogenol is increasing the readout on my breath meter but then one of many things it does is it can block digestion of complex carbohydrates. That explains how lab studies supports that it can in fact lower BMI's.
If one has cancer many say shoot for a fast blood glucose of 70-80 but mine has been coming in around 100 when last checked about 6 months ago so I need to get back on that just so I and proof how to do that with Pycnogenol if possible should cancer show up in our family.
Personally I suggest if interested that one pick up a couple of these cheap ones for the heck of it. The last time I checked the Ketonix was going for just under $100 when they were being sold directly by the maker.2 -
I went on Amazon, I'm a prime member and had gift cards to use there, so I ordered this one:
GREENWON Professional Breathalyzer with Semi-conductor Sensor and LCD Display Digital Breath Alcohol Tester with 5 Mouthpieces
I hate the idea of having to prick myself and I have heard the blood meters for ketone need more blood than most of the glucose meters. I am not diabetic nor pre diabetic, so I was loath to get the blood meter.
I am relieved I didn't get the Ketonic, you have to learn to breath a certain way, etc. We had a breathalyser, a high end one, that my husband bought to learn how many glasses of wine he could consume when we dined out. That one didn't work at all so I am ok with trying a couple of these cheapo ones to do some comparing. I'll learn to use the one that should arrive here on Monday, then try another model. This one has a key chain so I can keep it super handy.
Thanks of all the great feedback, I love this group so much.
@GaleHawkins, I will have to check out Pycnogenol, my mom (colon cancer) and half sister colon and breast)are both cancer survivors. So anything that will fight against cancer is something I would be most interested in learning about.2 -
@retirehappy I am sorry to learn about the cancer in your family.
Have fun working with your new meters.
Pycnogenol seems to work best to prevent getting most all human diseases by lowering our CRP levels. It does seem to be helpful in reversing or recovering from many common diseases as well. I am coming to see if I was told I could only use one supplement that it would be Pycnogenol.
I think Pycnogenol and other similar supplements work by not causing our immune system to over work and get behind on stopping diseases before they overrun us.
https://selfhacked.com/2016/11/04/c-reactive-protein/
Everything You Need to Know about the C-reactive Protein (CRP)1 -
Thanks Gale, I have ordered a CRP test from the Life Extension link you provided on another post. Will be interesting to get a base line on that.1
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Um, how does the breathalyzer indicate ketosis?0
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Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe it measures acetone in the breath.2
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I never would have guessed that. Thanks!1
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@LynFaith the below is technical paper on Ketone Bodies and how they work inside the body. I have been eating to generate ketone bodies since Oct 2014 for pain management. Today I feel better and blood labs are better than 40 years ago.
srmuniv.ac.in/sites/default/files/files/KETONEBODYMETABOLISM.pdf
I use my $15 meter off eBay daily. It tells me yes or no if I am making ketone bodies. To know detailed info I have to use the blood testing meter that uses strips that are $2+ each off ebay.
Welcome to MFP forums and best of success with what every approach works best to improve your health. We are not all the same.1 -
@GaleHawkins, did you forget something
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retirehappy wrote: »@GaleHawkins, did you forget something
Yes for about 30 seconds. I guess my Pycnogenol just kicked in that I am enjoying as my morning tea. I have to check if making it into a tea is just as effective as swallowing it as a capsule.
My blow meter readings have been higher and more consistent for the few weeks I have been on relative high dosages of Pycnogenol plus my weight has started dropping again but that is a tested result of using Pycnogenol.2 -
2 days of readings, I went from .01 to .03. Not sure if those are ok numbers or not. I love not having to prick myself to find out if I have ketones working for me. Mid day today I finally got a ketostix to read a trace. I haven't had a reading of any amount since about last November. Hopefully that means I have been using my portable pantry at least some of the time.
I really appreciate all the good info I have received on this thread, thanks everyone who posted.3 -
I range from .01 to .08 but most of the time it is more or less .02-.04 on my cheap blow meter. I get .000 often too depending on different factors but I give it little thought. I was doing like 5-6 tablespoons of coconut oil when hitting the highest numbers. I learned the $15 meter was not a god to be worshipped.
Best of continued success with your meter.1 -
I usually hit .02 to .04 most days too. Only once have I hit .05 on my readings (you'll get an audible alert alarm when you hit this number -since it appears that you got the same one as me).1
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Thanks guys, good to know.
I had just gotten so frustrated with the ketostix, seeing some sign of ketones is keeping me motivated.
GaleHawkins, that is interesting about the coconut oil. I use it in coffee for AM fasting and in fat bombs, so I get some chocolate in without sugars. Might start to find other uses since more seems to give a better result for you. Since starting this way of eating, I have started using bacon rendered droppings and butter along with my beloved EVOO and Avocado oil.2 -
Ok so for over a week now I've been blowing into my device. I was staying in the .02 - .04 range. I just did a 24.5 hr. fast (major accomplishment for me!) I broke the fast with a salmon salad, small portion due to not being hungry, and now after a couple of hrs. I am at .05.
I am so glad I found this device and LCHF eating WOE.2 -
I did a couple more fasts, with re feeding inbetween. I am now blowing 1.0 or .09s consistantly. I really think this has helped me stay in the range of nutritional ketosis. I love hearing that audible alarm.4
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retirehappy wrote: »Thanks guys, good to know.
I had just gotten so frustrated with the ketostix, seeing some sign of ketones is keeping me motivated.
GaleHawkins, that is interesting about the coconut oil. I use it in coffee for AM fasting and in fat bombs, so I get some chocolate in without sugars. Might start to find other uses since more seems to give a better result for you. Since starting this way of eating, I have started using bacon rendered droppings and butter along with my beloved EVOO and Avocado oil.
I buy Bob's Red Mill coconut flakes by the case and eat some a few times a day. Now that I have started the supplement Berberine I take it with coconut oil or flakes because it makes it more effective.1 -
My device coupled with some extended day fasting/eating cycles got me to my original goal wieght. Now to see if I can get down to a new goal. I think another 5% of my body weight is a good one.
@GaleHawkins, what is berberine, that is a new one. A supplement of some kind? What does it do?0 -
https://ketolivewell.com/berberine
@retirehappy I will try to beef up this info but the above should be a good start. Note taking it with coconut oil should be a plus per examine.com if you want to Google that. The more I learn about berberine the more important it seems to take a long hard look at taking it. I am testing at 500 mg 3x daily.0 -
Thanks Gale, the last two links on your referenced site just bring you back to the same page, the other top two work fine. Thought you would want to know. I tried to PM this but got a error page from MFP, so the mail function must be having issues this AM.0
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I just got one of these cheaper ("Greenwon") breath meters from Amazon, and I was wondering how the numbers correlate to ketone values? Like if you get an 0.5 on the breath meter, does that indicate your blood ketone level is actually 0.5 (or close to it)?
Or is it as Gale says, mostly just a go/no-go, where any number higher than "0" is good enough?
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