Admin When starting a keto diet, pretty much everyone focuses on their ketone levels. It makes sense. They are concrete measurements of progress and most of us are goal oriented. But we can’t tell you how many people we’ve spoken to who wanted to give up because they weren’t where they thought they “should be” early on. So, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Instead, let’s explore levels of ketosis with an eye on learning what they are and what they mean. So you can understand what optimal levels are based on your goals. But first, a brief PSA: the following information does not mean to substitute for medical advice, nor does it apply if you have type 1 diabetes; if you have type 1 diabetes or other serious medical conditions, you should work with your healthcare provider to determine your goals.
Understanding Ketone Levels
When discussing ketone levels/levels of ketosis, keto experts often cite The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living, by Dr. Stephen Phinney, MD, PhD and Jeff Volek, PhD, RD. It suggests nutritional ketosis begins at molecular concentration levels of 0.5 mmol/L. That means that the minute you cross that 0.5 threshold, you’re “in ketosis”. From there, nutritional ketosis gets “light” through 1.0 mmol/L (light is still good!), then becomes “optimal” 1.0 mmol/L through 3.0 mmol/L range. But if you look at the graph above, there is nuance within these ketone zones.
So, how do you know what ketone level to aim for? It depends on your goals. View the Ketone Zone Chart above.
What Should Your Ketone Level Be?
If your primary goal for integrating the ketogenic diet into your life is weight loss, achieving “light nutritional ketosis,” or 0.5 mmol/L-1.0 mmol/L, is a good starting point. From there, aim for “optimal ketosis,” which is when your ketone levels are between 1.0 mmol/L-3.0 mmol/L. People looking to use the ketogenic diet for therapeutic benefits for medical conditions such as epilepsy, cancer, or endocrine and metabolic disorders, are generally directed to aim for much higher ketone levels—specifically in the 3.0 mmol/L -5.0 mmol/L range, or somewhere in between. People who are fasting or eat a much higher fat-to-protein ratio will look to levels in the 3.0 mmol/L-8.0 mmol/L range. But you don’t need to go there. The optimal ketosis range is called “optimal” for a reason; and it’s exactly where you’ll want be for weight-loss and general health purposes. And you’ll get there, in time, if you practice patience and get in the groove of eating a keto diet.
Ketones & Exercise
Does exercise affect ketone levels? Yes, but the effects differ from one person to the next. Still, generally speaking, anaerobic exercise (usually short duration and high intensity, like heavy weight training, sprinting, or jumping) will decrease circulating ketones, cause blood glucose to go up slightly, and cause ketones to temporarily go down. With aerobic exercise, such as swimming, walking, jogging, and cycling, you’ll generally notice an increase in circulating ketones. Does this mean you do not want to do anaerobic exercise while on a ketogenic diet? Absolutely not! Watching your ketone levels will help you understand how your body responds to various foods and activities; and knowing how your body responds will help you adjust your nutrition and food choices to properly fuel your body and maintain optimal ketone levels.
A Word of Warning
No matter the goal, no one should aim for the orange or red zones. The only people who should be concerned about approaching them are type 1 diabetics. Because they face the potential of producing a diabetic complication called ketoacidosis, a serious condition that requires urgent medical attention. For them, the reward may not be worth the risk, which is why we recommend people with type 1 diabetes develop a diet plan with their care provider. In fact, anyone exploring the keto diet should discuss the best strategy with their medical provider. Because there may be risks connected to other pre-existing medical conditions, such as kidney stones, hypercholesterolemia, or family history of heart attack or stroke under the age of 60 years. Your level of ketosis should not be yet another thing in your life to stress over. Instead, consider it a tool to help you evaluate and adjust your eating habits as you follow your keto journey. Keep refining your choices as you go and you’ll reach your optimal ketone levels. Enjoy an invigorating and healthful way of life, and even easily slide into those too-tight jeans you’ve been eyeing in the back of the closet.
