Breath of Fresh Air: New Device Tracks Fat Burning in 90 Seconds
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a handheld device that measures acetone levels in human breath to indicate fat metabolism. The technology has been commercialized by ETH spin-off Alivion AG under the name "Nutrion."
Device Specifications and Development
The device, reported in the journal Device on July 22, analyzes breath acetone within 90 seconds. It uses a chemical sensor and is assisted by a smartphone application designed to guide exhalation and ensure samples originate from deep in the lungs.
The sensor technology, under development since 2017, can detect one acetone molecule per hundred million others.
Testing and Validation
The detector was tested on 12 healthy adults under real-world conditions. It measured acetone concentrations from 0.2 to 45 parts per million across 312 breath samples.
Results from the device closely matched those obtained from mass spectrometry, which is the standard for such measurements, and were compared to blood tests.
Metabolic Scenario Monitoring
Breath acetone was monitored during four distinct scenarios: light exercise followed by a high-carb meal, intense exercise followed by a high-carb meal, a fat-rich ketogenic meal, and fasting.
- Breath acetone levels rose after intense exercise and fasting, reflecting increased reliance on fat for energy.
- Levels dropped after high-carb meals.
- Measurements mirrored changes in blood ketone and glucose markers.
Background on Acetone Monitoring
Acetone is a by-product of fat metabolism exhaled via the lungs. The developers noted that existing commercial acetone breathalyzers have limited reproducibility and can be affected by other components in breath.
Commercialization and Applications
The device, now commercialized as 'Nutrion' by Alivion AG, is currently used in clinical studies and medical facilities. Ongoing studies with University Children's Hospital Zurich focus on children with epilepsy. Specific applications for the device include:
- Personalizing diets
- Monitoring metabolic disorders, including diabetes
- Ketogenic therapies for epilepsy
- GLP-1 weight loss therapies
- Monitoring in amateur sports
Researchers indicated future potential applications include supporting personalized treatments for obesity and other metabolic conditions.
Statements from Researchers
Andreas Güntner, Professor at ETH Zurich and senior author, stated that the goal was to miniaturize laboratory technologies into compact, user-friendly devices.
"There's no rule of thumb that works for everybody" when it comes to diets, he added, suggesting that people could self-monitor their metabolism.
Simone Hersberger, first author, stated that the device measures the volume of exhaled air and takes a sample from deep in the lungs, noting that this ensures consistency in readings.
Funding
The development was supported by Innosuisse, the Vontobel Foundation, and the Accentus Foundation.