Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a handheld breathalyser capable of detecting when the body shifts from a sugar-based to a fat-based metabolism, according to findings published in the journal Device. The technology, which connects to a smartphone app, aims to replace invasive blood-ketone tests and imprecise estimations from wearable devices by providing laboratory-level accuracy for metabolic tracking.
How the Technology Functions
When the body’s carbohydrate supplies are depleted, it increasingly relies on fat for energy, a process that produces ketones and releases a molecule called acetone into the breath. While breath acetone has historically served as a metabolic indicator, measuring it outside of a laboratory setting has been difficult due to interference from humidity, breathing techniques, and other chemical compounds like alcohol.
To address these challenges, Andreas Güntner at ETH Zurich and his colleagues integrated an acetone-specific sensor with miniature filters designed to remove moisture and other potential contaminants. According to Newscientist, the device’s accompanying smartphone app guides users through a specific breathing technique to ensure the sample is captured at the end of the third breath, which most closely mirrors acetone levels found in the bloodstream. The device can provide readings in approximately 90 seconds.
Validation and Field Testing
In a study evaluating the detector with 12 healthy adults, researchers recorded 312 breath samples measuring acetone concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 45 parts per million. The study confirmed that these measurements closely aligned with mass spectrometry, the established laboratory gold standard for breath acetone analysis. The device also features built-in quality controls that reject improper breaths or contaminated air to maintain data reliability.
"We were able to resolve even the finest changes in breath as someone started to burn fat," said Güntner, who serves as an advisor to Alivion AG, an ETH Zurich spin-off that has commercialized the device under the name "Nutrion."
Clinical and Practical Applications
The Nutrion device is currently being utilized in clinical studies for epilepsy and is being investigated for its utility in monitoring metabolic responses to intermittent fasting, ketogenic diets, and GLP-1 weight-loss therapies. By providing immediate data on fat metabolism, the technology offers a potential alternative to the repeated finger-prick blood tests typically required to monitor ketosis.
According to Medicalxpress, the device is also being used by individuals interested in tracking their metabolic status for weight management and athletic performance. While some experts note that it remains unclear if such data will directly enhance athletic performance, the device may offer athletes a way to tailor carbohydrate intake based on their specific metabolic responses.
Moving Beyond the Laboratory
The development of the Nutrion breathalyser represents a broader shift toward decentralized health care, where diagnostic tools previously confined to hospitals are becoming accessible for home use. Researchers emphasized that the device is sensitive enough to detect short-term metabolic fluctuations, allowing users to observe how their bodies switch between fuel sources during daily activities.
"We’re really moving toward health care solutions that, in the future, you won’t need to go to the hospital for anymore," Güntner stated. "You’ll be able to do them at home."
Future research aims to expand the use of the device in clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of various fasting therapies and provide more personalized metabolic guidance for patients managing obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic conditions.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.