My friend just told me that pharmacies actually sell sticks to pee on that tell you if you are in ketosis! Is that true? Do you guys use them?

Yes, most drug stores and super stores have them.

http://ketopia.com/why-you-need-to-s...-your-ketostix

i did use them briefly at the start of the diet, but they do eventually become unable to detect ketones in the urine. If you read the above article you will see why.

Save your $$. Results are not particularly accurate (and read posted article). If you are following IP Protocol 100%, you will be in Ketosis within the week (some sooner, some later.) you can also search this forum for ketosis symptoms that are probably more accurate and free!!

That is true, you can buy them at a drug store. I used them, but they drive me crazy, so I don't use them anymore.
They are innacurate.

No I do not use them at all - When I did the "Lindora" diet a long time ago, I bought them and they were driving me crazy because I never showed that I was in ketosis but I was losing weight...so in the trash they went !!

Thank you for the link - very informative

I am following IP 100% and I am in my first week so I am curious about ketosis. I feel better than I expected to feel during this detox. I might get some just to see what they say??

I am 2 weeks in and using the stix for now. I hit ketosis on day 3. I am down 13.4 pounds in 2 weeks, and am following the protocol exactly. So far so good, but I don't need the six anymore.

Good luck!

M.

I have a blood glucose meter that also measures ketones. The blood serum method is accurate whereas the pee sticks are not.

Also, following protocol does not necessarily guarantee ketosis. Some people who are very carb sensitive must eat fewer carbs than maximum protocol would provide.

I work in a pharmacy and yes we do sell a product called Ketostix. The purpose of them is for diabetics to monitor themselves for a serious complication called diabetic ketoacidosis. However, low carb dieters often do buy them to help tell us if we are in ketosis!

Being the inquisitive Pharmacist I am- I bought some and did my own little trial with them. I found that they certainly worked. I only did it for a day or two about 7-10 days into IP. I compared my results to my husbands. Poor guy had to pee on sticks for me! HAHA Mine were a completely different color than his- his being negative, and mine positive! wahoo! It was great confirmation that the diet was working!

I should really test again- I have fallen off the wagon (minimal little things) the past couple days so I would be curious to see if I am still in ketosis! I seem to be one that can play around with the IP protcol and still lose- so far anyway! That may change!!

I am a bit addicted to the sticks, it is really reinforcing for me to see that I am in Ketosis. They also give me an idea of how many carbs I can eat and remain in ketosis.

Just know that the stix will lose effectiveness over time, as the body becomes more efficient at processing ketones. It will actually burn them rather than sluff them off in the urine.

Once i understood what a powerful weapon ketosis is against weight loss, I could not understand how anyone would want to do things to jeopardize ketosis! It takes a while to get there and is so valuable that, from my humble point of view, is not worth squandering!

Good luck!

I am not doing things significant enough to knock me out of ketosis in my opinion. And also, the beauty of it all is- you don't have to be in ketosis to lose weight. (Although, I know everyone is different, this is just what I have discovered about myself so far) Case in point- the alternative plan for diabetics. Keeps you out of ketosis, but you still lose, albeit at a slower rate.

I have been fortunate enough to be able to add some extras (and by extras I mean non-carb, non-sugar things) that are technically not phase 1 compliant here and there and have still been losing 3-4lbs a week consistently so far. This may change as I am quite new to the plan yet, and I keep monitoring my situation closely. I believe its all about molding IP to work for you in your personal situation and for your unique body.