How does a ketogenic diet impact fibromyalgia symptoms. Can adopting a low-carb, high-fat diet reduce pain and fatigue in fibromyalgia patients. What does research say about the effectiveness of keto for managing fibromyalgia

Understanding Fibromyalgia and Its Challenges

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, tenderness, and fatigue. Patients often struggle with sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties, commonly referred to as “fibro fog”. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, emerging research suggests that dietary interventions, particularly the ketogenic diet, may offer some relief.

Fibromyalgia affects millions worldwide, with symptoms that can significantly impact quality of life. Traditional treatments often fall short, leading many to explore alternative approaches, including dietary modifications.

Key Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

• Widespread pain and tenderness
• Chronic fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Cognitive difficulties (fibro fog)
• Mood changes

The Ketogenic Diet: A Brief Overview

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and very low-carbohydrate eating plan. It induces a metabolic state called ketosis, where the body primarily burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. This dietary approach has gained attention for its potential benefits in various health conditions, including neurological disorders and now, potentially, fibromyalgia.

Key Features of the Ketogenic Diet

• High fat intake (70-80% of calories)
• Moderate protein consumption (15-20% of calories)
• Very low carbohydrate intake (5-10% of calories)
• Induces ketosis, a fat-burning metabolic state
• Eliminates most processed foods and sugars

The Fibromyalgia-Metabolism Connection

Research suggests that individuals with fibromyalgia may have altered metabolism, particularly in how they process carbohydrates. Dr. John Shelley-Tremblay, a professor of psychology and neurology at the University of South Alabama, has studied the effects of carbohydrates on fibromyalgia symptoms. His findings indicate that many fibromyalgia patients do not metabolize sugars and other carbohydrates normally, leading to energy deficits in their cells, including brain cells.

This metabolic dysfunction can contribute to the hallmark symptoms of fibromyalgia, including fatigue, pain, and cognitive difficulties. The brain, being the most energy-demanding organ in the body, is particularly affected by these metabolic irregularities.

How Carbohydrate Metabolism Affects Fibromyalgia Symptoms

1. Energy deficits in cells, including brain cells
2. Increased fatigue and exhaustion
3. Exacerbation of pain symptoms
4. Contribution to sleep disturbances
5. Worsening of cognitive symptoms (fibro fog)

The Potential Benefits of Ketogenic Diet for Fibromyalgia

While research specifically on the ketogenic diet for fibromyalgia is limited, emerging studies and anecdotal evidence suggest potential benefits. The ketogenic diet’s ability to provide an alternative fuel source for the brain and body may help address some of the metabolic challenges faced by fibromyalgia patients.

Is the ketogenic diet effective for all fibromyalgia patients? While individual responses may vary, some studies have shown promising results. European research cited by Dr. Shelley-Tremblay indicates that many fibromyalgia patients “improve dramatically when they are on a low-carb or ketogenic diet”.

Potential Benefits of Keto for Fibromyalgia

• Reduced inflammation
• Improved energy levels
• Better cognitive function
• Potential pain reduction
• Improved sleep quality

Research Insights: Carbohydrates and Fibromyalgia

A study conducted by Shelley-Tremblay and colleagues, published in the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, explored the effects of carbohydrate consumption on mood in women with fibromyalgia. The researchers found that contrary to expectations, consuming a high-carbohydrate drink led to increased anger, hostility, and lethargy in fibromyalgia patients, rather than providing an energy boost.

How does sugar intake affect fibromyalgia symptoms? Another study published in the journal Orthopaedic Nursing examined dietary patterns in women with fibromyalgia over time. The findings revealed that high carbohydrate and sugar intake was associated with reduced quality of life, while increased sugar consumption correlated with greater pain severity.

Key Findings on Carbohydrates and Fibromyalgia

1. High-carb intake may worsen mood in fibromyalgia patients
2. Sugar consumption correlates with increased pain severity
3. Carbohydrate-rich diets may reduce overall quality of life
4. Individual responses to carbohydrates can vary
5. Need for personalized dietary approaches in fibromyalgia management

The Ketogenic Diet and Pain Management

While human studies on the ketogenic diet for fibromyalgia pain are limited, animal research provides some intriguing insights. A study published in the journal PLoS One investigated the effects of a ketogenic diet on pain and inflammation in rats. The researchers found that the diet offered potential therapeutic opportunities for controlling pain and peripheral inflammation.

Can the ketogenic diet directly reduce fibromyalgia pain? While more human studies are needed, the anti-inflammatory properties of the ketogenic diet and its potential to improve metabolic function suggest it may have pain-reducing effects for some fibromyalgia patients.

Potential Mechanisms of Pain Reduction on Keto

• Decreased systemic inflammation
• Improved mitochondrial function
• Altered neurotransmitter balance
• Enhanced energy availability for pain modulation
• Potential neuroprotective effects

Implementing a Ketogenic Diet for Fibromyalgia

Transitioning to a ketogenic diet requires careful planning and, ideally, supervision from a healthcare professional. For fibromyalgia patients considering this dietary approach, it’s crucial to start slowly and monitor symptoms closely. Some individuals may experience temporary worsening of symptoms, known as the “keto flu”, during the initial adaptation period.

How should fibromyalgia patients start a ketogenic diet? It’s recommended to begin by gradually reducing carbohydrate intake while increasing healthy fats and moderate protein. Staying well-hydrated and ensuring adequate electrolyte intake can help minimize transition symptoms.

Tips for Starting Keto with Fibromyalgia

1. Consult with a healthcare provider before starting
2. Gradually reduce carbohydrates over several weeks
3. Increase intake of healthy fats (avocados, nuts, olive oil)
4. Maintain moderate protein consumption
5. Stay hydrated and supplement electrolytes if needed

Potential Challenges and Considerations

While the ketogenic diet shows promise for some fibromyalgia patients, it’s not without potential challenges. The restrictive nature of the diet can make social situations and dining out difficult. Additionally, some individuals may experience digestive issues or nutrient deficiencies if the diet is not well-planned.

Are there risks associated with the ketogenic diet for fibromyalgia patients? As with any significant dietary change, there are potential risks. These may include initial fatigue, electrolyte imbalances, and in rare cases, more serious complications. It’s crucial for fibromyalgia patients to work closely with their healthcare providers when considering or implementing a ketogenic diet.

Potential Challenges of Keto for Fibromyalgia Patients

• Initial adaptation period (keto flu)
• Difficulty in social eating situations
• Potential nutrient deficiencies if not well-planned
• Need for close medical supervision
• Possible interactions with medications

The Future of Dietary Interventions in Fibromyalgia Management

As research into the relationship between diet and fibromyalgia continues to evolve, the ketogenic diet represents one of several dietary approaches being explored. While early results are promising for some patients, more large-scale, long-term studies are needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of the ketogenic diet for fibromyalgia.

Will the ketogenic diet become a standard treatment option for fibromyalgia? While it’s too early to say definitively, the growing body of research on metabolic dysfunction in fibromyalgia suggests that dietary interventions, including the ketogenic diet, may play an increasingly important role in symptom management for some patients.

Future Research Directions

1. Large-scale clinical trials on keto for fibromyalgia
2. Long-term effects of ketogenic diets in chronic pain conditions
3. Personalized nutrition approaches for fibromyalgia
4. Comparison of various dietary interventions for symptom management
5. Mechanisms of action for dietary effects on fibromyalgia symptoms

The ketogenic diet’s potential to address the metabolic irregularities associated with fibromyalgia makes it an intriguing area of study. As researchers continue to unravel the complex relationship between nutrition, metabolism, and chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, patients may gain access to more effective, personalized dietary strategies for managing their symptoms.

While the ketogenic diet is not a cure-all for fibromyalgia, it represents a promising avenue for some patients seeking alternative approaches to symptom management. As with any significant dietary change, individuals with fibromyalgia should consult with their healthcare providers before embarking on a ketogenic diet to ensure it’s appropriate for their individual health needs and circumstances.

The journey to finding effective treatments for fibromyalgia is ongoing, and dietary interventions like the ketogenic diet may play an increasingly important role in comprehensive management strategies. As research progresses, patients and healthcare providers alike can look forward to a growing toolkit of evidence-based approaches for improving quality of life for those living with fibromyalgia.

Can a Ketogenic Diet Improve Fibromyalgia Symptoms?

While there’s not an abundance of studies proving the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet for people with fibromyalgia, emerging research and anecdotal evidence suggest that it may be beneficial for some.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder defined by pain and tenderness throughout the body, fatigue, and, often, sleep problems and difficulty with memory and concentration (“fibro fog”). No single diet has been shown to improve these symptoms.

The ketogenic diet is similar to the Paleo diet, which emphasizes whole foods and the elimination of sugar, grains, and processed foods. But the ketogenic diet is extremely low-carb, moderate in protein, and high in fat. It produces a state of ketosis, in which the body’s fat stores are used for energy, and which has been associated with a reduction in hunger, at least anecdotally.

John (Jack) Shelley-Tremblay, PhD, professor of psychology and adjunct professor of neurology at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, has done research on the effects of carbohydrates on fibromyalgia symptoms. And while he’s skeptical of diet fads, he points to research suggesting that the ketogenic diet is helpful for a number of conditions — including, for example, epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders. He notes that some European studies have found that many people with fibromyalgia “improve dramatically when they are on a low-carb or ketogenic diet.”;

The Brain Craves Energy to Run

“The standard American diet has a lot of sugar, refined grains, and things you wouldn’t have found in the evolutionary background of humans,” says Dr. Shelley-Tremblay. Research, he says, indicates that people with fibromyalgia do not metabolize sugars and other carbohydrates normally, so their cells, including their brain cells, crave energy.

“The brain is the most energy-craving part of the body pound for pound, and it wants sugar to run,” Shelley-Tremblay says, referring to the brain’s use of glucose as its primary fuel under normal circumstances.

People with fibromyalgia are in a constant state of deficit, he says, and have difficulty meeting the energetic needs of the brain. The result can be exhaustion, pain, poor sleep, and fibro fog, which he describes as “a condition associated with decreased cognitive capacity, specifically decreased short-term or working memory, decreased attentional resources, fatigue, and trouble concentrating.”

It’s a vicious triangle, he says. “Poor sleep, which is both caused by and exacerbates pain, leaves you with fewer cognitive resources to dampen down that pain enough to function.” On top of that, he says, are the energetic deficits associated with the metabolic conditions underlying fibromyalgia.

In Study, High Blood Sugar Leads to Lethargy

Shelley-Tremblay, along with Allen Ernst and John P. Kline, compared the effects consuming carbohydrate had on mood in a small group of women with fibromyalgia with the effects on a similar-size group of women who didn’t have fibromyalgia, in an earlier study published in the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain.

Many of the women with fibromyalgia acknowledged that they craved carbohydrates and often used them to try to manage their moods and give themselves an energy boost. So when, after having participants fast for 8 to 12 hours, the researchers fed them a big dose of a “super-sugar Kool-Aid mixture,” according to Shelley-Tremblay, the women expected to feel better.

The researchers recorded the women’s blood glucose, assessed their mood using a Profile of Mood States scale, and recorded the electrical activity in certain areas of their brains using electroencephalography (EEG).

“What actually happened was their anger and hostility spiked, almost in sync with their elevated blood glucose,” says Shelley-Tremblay. Soon after, instead of getting an energy boost, they felt frustrated and lethargic, and many did not metabolize the sugar well.

While Shelley-Tremblay’s study looked at the effects of a single, large dose of sugar, a study published in the March-April 2013 issue of the journal Orthopaedic Nursing looked at dietary patterns in women with fibromyalgia over time. The researchers found that high carbohydrate and sugar intake was linked to reduced quality of life, and increased sugar intake was associated with increased severity of pain.

Low-Carb Diets Show More Positive Effects in Lab and in Life

The effects of a ketogenic diet on pain and inflammation were investigated in a rat study published in the journal PLoS One. Adult and juvenile rats were fed a ketogenic diet for three to four weeks, after which they were given standard tests measuring pain and inflammation. Based on their results, the study authors concluded that the diet “offers new therapeutic opportunities for controlling pain and peripheral inflammation, and that such a metabolic strategy may offer significant benefits for children and adults.”

Shelley-Tremblay and Ernst compared the effects of different types of diets in humans with fibromyalgia in a study published in November 2013 in the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. The participants, all of whom were women, completed a questionnaire on mood, energy level, and fibromyalgia symptoms. Those who reported adhering to a low-carbohydrate diet reported less confusion, distress, and fatigue, and more vigor than those who reported following a typical Western diet.

Parry Lama, a scientist and writer living in London, says that a low-carbohydrate diet helps her tamp down chronic fatigue and pain from fibromyalgia. She adheres as closely as possible to a ketogenic diet, but otherwise always keeps the carbs low. She recently discovered a Mediterranean version of the diet that mirrors what she’d already adopted.

“I almost exclusively eat coconut milk, red meat, and salmon when I need to work an 18-hour day, as I know my body will crash otherwise. However, working an 18-hour day was unheard of for me before I started this diet,” the 27-year-old says.

Though some may find it difficult to follow a low-carb diet, Lama, while she admits to missing the crunchy foods that are hard to come by when eschewing carbs, says, “I can feel the difference so quickly that I’m not inspired to cheat. The impact on pain is so strong that I can feel the difference after more than one carb-heavy meal.”

The Key May Be Reducing Inflammation

The primary benefit of ketogenic diets, says Shelley-Tremblay, is that they’re low in the refined sugars and simple carbs that are so inflammatory.

“Some people can go into ketogenesis with a low-fat, low-sugar diet, while some need to lay on the fats,” he says. But it’s not necessary to be in ketosis to see the health benefits of cutting back on simple starches and sugars.

It’s essentially a low glycemic index–type diet that helps, “because that has the biggest correlation with reducing inflammation.” (More information about the glycemic index is available from the Glycemic Index Foundation.)

For Some, Low-Carb Makes Symptoms Worse

But just as the symptoms of fibromyalgia are variable, so is response to diet. Not everyone will thrive on a low-carb diet. Annie Sisk, 52, of upstate New York, found that her symptoms worsened when she adopted a low-carb diet.

“My pain levels began soaring almost immediately. I felt so much worse. Nothing helped. I missed days from work,” Sisk says.

It took some time for her to realize that cycles of constipation and loose stools tracked with her pain cycles. “Since low-carb diets create or exacerbate constipation, it makes sense my symptoms got worse. ” She tried stool softeners and fiber additives to no effect.

Sisk has settled on a mostly vegetarian, low-fat diet that she says keeps her pain at manageable levels. Her diet includes lean, grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, and wild fish, along with occasional servings of fruits that have a low glycemic index.

RELATED: All About Fiber: Food Sources and Supplements

Consult an Expert When Changing Your Diet

Whether you’re considering trying a ketogenic diet, another type of low-carb diet, or any nutritional approach that’s different from what you now eat, it’s best to consult a registered dietitian-nutritionist (RDN) for advice on making the switch.

RDNs can help you tailor the approach to your specific needs and help you overcome side effects, such as constipation. In addition, they can help with weight management which, says Shelley-Tremblay, is crucial for those living with fibromyalgia. A healthy weight, he says, is essential, since excess weight can contribute to pain, poor sleep, sleep apnea, and wear and tear on joints.

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Effects of a Low-Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet on Reported Pain, Blood Biomarkers and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Randomized Controlled Trial

. 2022 Feb 1;23(2):326-338.

doi: 10.1093/pm/pnab278.

Rowena Field 
¹
, Fereshteh Pourkazemi 
¹
, Kieron Rooney 
¹

Affiliations

Affiliation

• ¹ Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, NSW, Australia.

• PMID:

  34534353

• DOI:

  10. 1093/pm/pnab278

Randomized Controlled Trial

Rowena Field et al.

Pain Med.

2022.

. 2022 Feb 1;23(2):326-338.

doi: 10.1093/pm/pnab278.

Authors

Rowena Field 
¹
, Fereshteh Pourkazemi 
¹
, Kieron Rooney 
¹

Affiliation

• ¹ Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, NSW, Australia.

• PMID:

  34534353

• DOI:

  10. 1093/pm/pnab278

Abstract

Background:

A low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet has been reported to improve chronic pain by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and sensitivity within the nervous system. The main aim of this trial is to evaluate the effects of a ketogenic diet on reported pain, blood biomarkers and quality of life in patients with chronic pain.

Methods:

Participants with chronic musculoskeletal pain were recruited for a 12-week diet intervention that commenced with a 3-week run-in diet removing ultra-processed foods, followed by randomization to either a whole-food/well-formulated ketogenic diet (WFKD) or to continue with the minimally processed whole-food diet (WFD). Outcome measures included: average pain (visual analogue scale VAS), blood biomarkers, anthropometrics, adherence, depression, anxiety, sleep, ketones, quality of life, diet satisfaction, and macronutrient intake.

Results:

Average weekly pain improved for both groups. WFKD group VAS reduced by 17.9 ± 5.2 mm (P = .004) and the WFD group VAS reduced 11.0 ± 9.0 mm (P = .006). Both groups also reported improved quality of life (WFKD = 11.5 ± 2.8%, P = .001 and WFD = 11.0 ± 3.5%, P = .014). The WFKD group also demonstrated significant improvements in pain interference (P = 0.013), weight (P < .005), depression (P = .015), anxiety (P = .013), and inflammation (hsCRP) (P = .009). Significant average pain reduction remained at three-month follow-up for both groups (WFKD P = .031, WFD P = .011).

Conclusions:

The implementation of a whole-food diet that restricts ultra-processed foods is a valid pain management tool; however, a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets may have potentially greater pain reduction, weight loss and mood improvements.

Keywords:

Chronic Pain; Human; Inflammation; Ketogenic Diet; Low-Carbohydrate; Nutritional Ketosis; Quality of Life; Randomized Clinical Trial; Whole-Food Diet.

© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: [email protected].

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Plant-based nutrition and the ketogenic diet for cancer. What’s better?

You can lower your risk of developing cancer!

The incidence of cancer and metabolic disorders is steadily increasing. Against this background, scientists decided to evaluate the impact of nutrients and diet on the development of cancer. It turns out that a healthy diet can prevent the development of cancer.

A recent review of evidence found that, compared to the keto diet, a plant-based diet is more effective in reducing the chance of developing cancer.

Findings from the Plant-Based Nutrition and Ketogenic Diet for Cancer Study

In July 2020, a review published in JAMA Oncology assessed the impact of a ketogenic diet and a plant-based diet on cancer risk. Despite their differences, both eating styles are associated with weight loss, reduced inflammation, and reduced insulin levels, scientists say.

A plant-based diet has also been associated with increased intake of fiber and phytochemicals, while a ketogenic diet has anti-cancer effects due to beta-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone known to have an effect on cancer cells.

An analysis of the data from both diets showed that a predominantly plant-based diet reduced the risk of cancer. However, the researchers note that there are currently no well-studied approaches that support the use of any particular diet for cancer treatment.

What does it mean

Scientists have found that when comparing a plant-based diet and a keto diet in terms of reducing the risk of cancer and combating metabolic disorders, the resulting collective evidence speaks in favor of the former.

The keto (or ketogenic) diet involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake while increasing fat intake. This puts the body into ketosis, a metabolic state that allows the body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. The ketogenic diet has been proven to have an antitumor effect and is believed to create a hostile environment for cancer cells.

A plant-based diet includes fruits, vegetables, beans, beans, nuts, seeds, grains, and healthy fats. Cancer prevention intervention studies have found that increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed while reducing fat reduces common cancer risk factors such as inflammation, excess body fat, and insulin resistance.

Studies have shown that a plant-based diet contributes to both the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. A meta-analysis based on over 3 million subjects found that plant-based diets reduce the risk of developing digestive system cancer.

There is evidence that both a plant-based diet and a ketogenic diet reduce cancer risk, with a diet high in whole foods and low in fat generally more effective.

Cancer prevention

Since cancer is not a single disease, but a group of related diseases, there are many risk factors that affect the occurrence of this disease, including diet, lifestyle, environment and genetics.

But you can reduce your risk of developing cancer by:

• Eat cancer-fighting foods, including fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, nuts, and seeds
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid processed foods
• Avoid foods with added sugar and artificial sweeteners
• Go in for sports
• get enough sleep
• Avoid stress
• Stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption
• Drink enough water
• Reduce exposure to chemicals both at home and outside
• Maintain optimal vitamin D levels

Conclusion

• A recent review published in JAMA Oncology found that a plant-based diet was more effective than a ketogenic diet in reducing the risk of cancer.
• Both diets are scientifically proven to help prevent cancer and improve cancer. However, a diet rich in nutritious fruits and vegetables but low in fat is more effective in protecting against cancer and metabolic disease.
• In addition to a healthy diet, cancer prevention measures include physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding processed and sugary foods, getting good sleep, and drinking clean water.

Take care of yourself and loved ones,
buy only healthy products!

What is ketonuria?

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Diabetes

March 22

Ketonuria occurs when there is a high content of ketones in the urine. This is usually seen in people with diabetes. This can also happen during pregnancy.

Here’s what you need to know about ketonuria and its causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Ketones and Ketonuria

Ketones, or ketone bodies, are acidic molecules produced in the liver. When the liver breaks down cells, fat, or protein to give you energy, ketones are produced as by-products.

Your body uses these ketones for energy when it lacks glucose. Usually, very small amounts of ketones are excreted in the urine as a waste product.

If you fast or have a condition such as diabetes, your body produces more ketones than it can use. This increases the amount of ketone bodies in the liver. Your body tries to get rid of them when you urinate, which results in high levels of ketones in your urine, or ketonuria.

High levels of ketones in the body can lead to increased accumulation of acid in the blood. This is called ketoacidosis, which can harm your body.

Causes of ketonuria

You may develop ketonuria due to:

Keto diet . Ketonuria is common in people following the keto diet. The ketogenic diet involves eliminating and limiting carbohydrate intake, as well as the consumption of fats and proteins for energy. This low-calorie diet forces the body to use fats and proteins for fuel, which leads to the production and elimination of ketones.

Fasting . Prolonged fasting or intermittent fasting diets can lead to ketonuria. During fasting, the liver begins to use the body’s fat and protein reserves to maintain work. This leads to the formation of ketones and ketonuria.

Diabetes mellitus . When insulin levels in the body are low, cells cannot store or use glucose for energy. This leads to high blood sugar or diabetes.

Your body has no choice but to break down fats and proteins for energy. This leads to the formation of ketone bodies in the form of waste products. These ketones accumulate in the body and can even enter the bloodstream, causing diabetic ketoacidosis.

Ketonuria is common in people with diabetes as their bodies try to excrete excess ketones in the urine.

Renal glucosuria. This is a rare disorder in which the body excretes glucose in the urine. This happens when the tubules in your kidney are not functioning properly.

Renal glucosuria lowers blood sugar levels. This causes your liver to burn fat and protein for energy, resulting in ketonuria.

Glycogen storage disease . Your body stores glucose as an energy source. When glycogen cannot be stored properly, you can develop this metabolic disease. This forces your liver to use sources other than glycogen for energy. As a result, ketones are excreted in the urine.

Other reasons . Other factors can also cause ketonuria, for example:

• Drinking too much alcohol
• Continuous exercise
• Pregnancy
• Hunger
• Illness or stress
• Hormones such as cort isol (your stress hormone) and epinephrine (adrenaline ).

Ketonuria can also develop in people who have had heart surgery such as bypass surgery.

Symptoms of ketonuria

Ketonuria often follows or causes ketoacidosis. High levels of ketones in the body can be dangerous.

Symptoms to watch out for include:

• Thirst and dehydration
• Fruity breath
• Tiredness and confusion
• Vomiting
• Frequent urination
• Heavy breathing
• High blood sugar

Diagnosis of ketonuria

Doctors can tell if you have ketonuria by checking your symptoms and doing blood and urine tests.

Some commonly used ketone tests include:

• Blood sugar test
• Urine flush test using substances that change color when interacting with ketones
• Acetone fruity breath test
• Enzymatic tests for ketone measurements
• Home tests using a blood glucose monitor

Treatment of ketonuria

Fasting or diet induced ketonuria does not require treatment and resolves on its own. But it causes serious concern when it occurs due to an underlying disease.

• Ketonuria in people with diabetes is treated with insulin injections or intravenous drips.
• If ketonuria is caused by other diseases, it can be treated with the appropriate diet, medication, or therapy for that disease.

Prevention of ketonuria

If you have diabetes, it is important to monitor your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood glucose levels closely and check for symptoms to help prevent ketonuria and the complications it can cause.