Keto Diets and DUIS
Many things, including diet, affect DUI tests. So, if you want to know more about Keto Diets and DUIs, ask an attorney from Scrofano Law PC. Contact us today!
Do Keto Diets Result in DUIs?
Recent studies have suggested a link exists between the ketogenic diet and alcohol tolerance. This has raised questions about the potential DUI implications for those who follow a low-carb diet. The keto diet has become a popular way to lose weight and improve overall health. This low-carb, high-fat diet forces the body to burn fat rather than carbohydrates for energy, resulting in rapid weight loss in some people.
Ketogenic diets are becoming more, so it’s important to understand how ketosis affects breathalyzer tests so that you can be prepared and ensure your results are accurate when you take a breath test. Ketosis occurs when the body breaks down fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. As a result, acetone may be traceable on the breath, which may lead to a false positive on a breathalyzer test.
Knowing the laws and regulations surrounding DUI breath tests is essential so that you understand your rights and responsibilities. Additional assistance can be obtained from a lawyer who understands the connection between diabetes and DUI impairment. Scrofano Law offers legal information and resources.
Penalties for Elevated Breathalyzer Readings
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs can have serious and long-lasting repercussions. Penalties for a DUI conviction may include any of the following in Washington, DC:
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Jail time
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Hefty fines
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Suspension or revocation of driver’s license
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Installation of an ignition interlock device
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Completion of an alcohol safety program
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Probation
A DUI conviction can also negatively affect one’s professional and personal life, such as causing difficulty getting certain jobs or insurance rates. It is essential to understand the potential consequences before deciding to drive under the influence.
Ketosis and Blood Alcohol Levels
DUI breath tests are an important part of the process of determining if a person is under the influence of alcohol. Knowing how they work may protect you if you are in a situation where you have to take one.
A keto diet consists of high-fat and low-carbohydrate foods. Ketosis occurs when the body does not have enough carbohydrates to burn for energy, so it burns fat instead. The body must be in a state of nutritional ketosis to achieve this, which means it must be producing and burning ketones as its primary source of energy, resulting in an increase in blood alcohol levels.
Hence, a ketogenic diet may cause elevated results on a breathalyzer test in some circumstances, resulting in the person being wrongly arrested for DUI.
How Do Ketones Trigger a Positive Breathalyzer Test?
During fat digestion, the liver produces acetone as a waste product, which your body releases through your breath when it is in ketosis. The acetone you breathe out releases isopropyl alcohol, which breathalyzers can incorrectly detect as ethanol. Ethanol is the type of alcohol used in most alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol breathalyzers are a common tool used to detect the presence of alcohol in a person’s breath at checkpoints. While these devices are typically used to measure the amount of alcohol in someone’s system, they can also detect ketones – molecules produced when the body breaks down fat for energy.
Because ketones are chemically similar to alcohol, they can register as alcohol particles, so your blood alcohol concentration may appear higher than what it really is on the machine. Infrared light is used to detect ethyl alcohol in breath, so the machines can’t always distinguish between ethanol and ketones or isopropyl. Furthermore, police officers may mistakenly believe that you are intoxicated because ketosis breath smells like alcohol.
Hence, a breathalyzer test when your body is in ketosis can give law enforcement officials inaccurate readings, making it difficult to determine whether someone is intoxicated. Even if you haven’t exceeded the legal limit, an inaccurate BAC reading can result in legal consequences. As a result, it is imperative that we understand the effects of isopropyl alcohol on breathalyzer results and that we abstain from drinking before driving.
Is There a Link Between Keto and Alcohol Tolerance?
Potential risks have been associated with drinking alcohol while following a keto diet, and a ketogenic diet is associated with lowered alcohol tolerance.
Carbohydrates play a key role in reducing the levels of alcohol in your blood. This is because your body stores carbohydrates as glycogen, and when following a keto diet, there are extremely low levels of glycogen present. A lack of glycogen in the body leads to fewer substances available for absorbing alcohol. This can cause your body to process alcohol faster, thus reducing your tolerance.
A seasoned DUI lawyer in Washington, DC, can help you with several options for disputing a DUI breath test. Please get in touch with Scrofano Law for a free consultation.
How Can an Attorney Help With a DUI?
A skilled attorney could use this information in their DUI block criminal defense strategy. DUI charges can be a major source of stress and confusion for those who have been charged. An attorney can help by providing legal advice, helping you understand your rights, and providing representation in court.
An experienced attorney will be able to evaluate the facts of your case, explain the possible outcomes, and provide guidance on how to best proceed with your defense. They will also be able to explain the consequences of a conviction for DUI in Washington, DC, and help you navigate the legal system.
With their knowledge, an attorney can ensure that you receive fair treatment throughout the process and work towards achieving a favorable outcome for your case. For questions about felony or misdemeanor DUI, talk to an attorney at Scrofano Law today!
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