Scientists develop handheld device for measuring when your body is burning fat
Researchers have created a portable breathalyzer that detects acetone levels to identify ketosis, the state of fat burning.
A new study published in the journal Device presents a handheld breathalyzer that can determine when the body is burning fat by measuring acetone in the breath. Acetone is a byproduct of fat metabolism. Led by Andreas Güntner, the study involved 12 participants across various diet and exercise conditions. The device's readings closely matched those from traditional lab tests.
Acetone tests are typically most accurate in controlled lab settings, but the researchers overcame challenges like humidity and breathing patterns by incorporating filters and a companion app. The app guides users through proper breathing, adjusts sample collection timing, and corrects for too much or too little pressure, making results comparable to blood-based tests. The commercial version of the device is called Nutrion, similar in concept to the earlier Lumen device, which measured carbon dioxide instead.
Frequent metabolic measurements could have many health applications, from monitoring the effectiveness of GLP-1 therapies to helping athletes fine-tune their metabolism.
