Handheld Breathalyzer Claims to Accurately Track Metabolic Fat Burning
Researchers supervised by Andreas Güntner have developed Nutrion, a portable breathalyzer that measures acetone in exhaled air. A pilot study of 12 participants showed results closely aligning with traditional laboratory methods, offering a potential tool for monitoring GLP-1 therapies and athletic metabolism.
Researchers supervised by Andreas Güntner have developed a handheld breathalyzer, commercially designated as Nutrion, designed to detect acetone in breath to determine if the body is in ketosis. The device filters moisture and contaminants and uses a companion app to guide users, with tests on 12 participants showing results closely matching traditional lab methods.
The technology, published in the scientific journal Device and reported by New Scientist and Engadget, targets the metabolic state where the body burns fat for energy. Unlike consumer wearables that often rely on bioelectrical impedance, which is noted for being quick but not necessarily accurate, Nutrion measures acetone, a direct byproduct of fat metabolism.
Unlike smart scales or watches that use bioelectrical impedance (which is often inaccurate), this device measures acetone, a byproduct of fat metabolism. The companion app monitors user pressure and timing to optimise measurement accuracy, aiming to replicate blood-based ketone tests.
Traditional acetone testing is usually conducted in laboratory settings to control variables such as humidity and breathing patterns. The researchers addressed these limitations by engineering the device to filter out excess moisture and contaminants, while the companion application guides users through the breathing process to ensure sample collection aligns with clinical standards.
A study involving 12 participants demonstrated that the device’s readings closely matched traditional laboratory results. The device is conceptually similar to an earlier product called Lumen, which measured carbon dioxide rather than acetone.
Potential applications include monitoring the effectiveness of GLP-1 therapies and helping athletes fine-tune their metabolism. The study measured when the bodies of 12 participants burned fat across a variety of diet and exercise scenarios, finding the breathalyzer closely matched traditional lab results.
The study sample size was small, consisting of only 12 participants. It is unclear how the device performs in real-world conditions outside the controlled study environment, despite its design to filter contaminants. The long-term accuracy and reliability of the device compared to clinical blood tests have not been established beyond this initial study.
