Glucose Ketone Index (GKI) Equals More Efficient Way to Understand Overall Health

If you’re on the keto diet, you know all about ketones, an alternative fuel source for the body when glucose is in short supply, but are you aware of the Glucose Ketone Index (GKI)?

Because stress, fasting or a high-fat meal can affect one measurement, a single reading does not accurately represent your health. The GKI, however, brings together glucose and ketone levels to provide a more complete picture.

For example, even with ideal ketone levels for weight loss, high blood glucose levels can affect your health goals and prevent you from receiving the full benefits of ketosis.

The GKI number you strive for depends on your health goal, but generally, a lower GKI is best.

How to calculate Glucose Ketone Index (GKI)

[Blood Glucose Result ÷ 18] ÷ Blood Ketone Result = GKI

By dividing the blood glucose result by 18, it converts the reading from mg/dL to mmol/L.

Plug in your numbers in our GKI calculator below to see your results. Please note: this calculator uses mg/dL for blood glucose and will automatically convert it to mmol/L for you.

 

Here are some standards for understanding your GKI results:

ResultWhat it Means
≥9You have not reached ketosis yet.
6-9You're in a low level of ketosis.
Ideal for anyone whose goal is weight loss or maintaining optimal health.
3-6You're in a moderate level of ketosis.
Ideal for those with type 2 diabetes, obesity or insulin resistance.
≤3You're in a high therapeutic level of ketosis.
Ideal for patients who have cancer, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease.

 

FORA 6 Connect is the Best Solution for Keto Dieters and Diabetics

Whether you are on the keto diet or have diabetes, monitoring your ketone and glucose levels are important to understanding your health. Unfortunately, there are very few at-home solutions that allow you to monitor both with just one device.

ForaCare, Inc. developed the FORA 6 Connect exactly for that purpose: it measures blood glucose and blood ketone in a convenient Bluetooth-enabled device.

Top Ten Reviews recently reviewed the FORA 6 Connect and listed it at the top of the best glucometers of 2019 for its ease of use, accuracy and dual functionality.

“The FORA 6 Connect is the newest glucometer from ForaCare, and it’s the best meter the company has put out to date,” wrote Jeph Preece, the reviewer.

Key features include:

  • Gold-standard test strips for more precise and accurate results
  • Glucose test strips are cheaper than other brands at 50 cents each
  • Small sample sizes are required for the tests
  • Data syncs to the iFora HM app via Bluetooth, so you can keep track of your trends and averages

For more information on the FORA 6 Connect or to request a live demo, please contact us.

Why is it important to measure yourself?

THE KETO DIET

You know the keto diet is working if you’re in ketosis, a metabolic process in which your body burns fat instead of carbohydrates.

To understand if you’re truly in ketosis, you have to measure your ketones. There is no other way to know.

Additionally, measuring your blood glucose will allow you to calculate your Glucose Ketone Index (GKI)—this gives you a more accurate picture of your overall health.

This also applies to anyone with type 2 diabetes whose goal is to lose weight.

DIABETES

A type 1 diabetic has an entirely different perspective on blood ketone and blood glucose.

Ketone levels are vital for any diabetic who is insulin-dependent because of the possibility of ketoacidosis, which happens when high levels of ketones build up in the blood, making it more acidic.

It is essential for type 1 diabetics to measure blood glucose and blood ketone to avoid ketoacidosis, a life-threatening medical emergency caused by not enough insulin, not enough food, or low blood glucose.

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