What are the latest findings on the benefits and risks of ketogenic diets?

Introduction

The ketogenic diet (KD), characterized by high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrate intake, has gained significant attention for its potential benefits in weight loss, glycemic control, and overall metabolic health. However, the diet's long-term safety and efficacy remain subjects of debate within the scientific community.

Key Insights

Benefits of Ketogenic Diets

Weight Loss and Glycemic Control: Ketogenic diets are effective in reducing body weight, waist circumference, and glycated hemoglobin levels, particularly in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) .
Lipid Profile Improvement: KDs improve lipid profiles by lowering triglycerides and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, especially in diabetic patients .
Metabolic Health: KDs can improve various metabolic parameters, including glycemic control and lipid profiles, which may contribute to reduced morbidity and mortality related to metabolic dysfunction .
Potential Cognitive and Longevity Benefits: In animal studies, KDs have been shown to improve memory performance and reduce midlife mortality, suggesting potential benefits for aging and cognitive health.

Risks and Controversies

Cardiovascular Risks: While some studies suggest improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, others highlight potential adverse effects, such as increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in animal models .
Nutrient Deficiencies and Adverse Effects: KDs can lead to various adverse effects, including nutrient deficiencies, gastrointestinal disturbances, and increased risk of conditions like nephrolithiasis and pancreatitis.
Circadian Disruption: KDs may disrupt circadian rhythms and increase hypofibrinolytic risk by elevating plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels, which could have implications for cardiovascular health.
Sustainability and Long-term Health: The long-term sustainability and health impacts of KDs are still uncertain, with some studies suggesting that the enthusiasm for KDs may outpace the current evidence supporting their long-term benefits .

Conclusion

The ketogenic diet shows promise in improving weight loss, glycemic control, and lipid profiles, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, the diet's long-term safety and efficacy remain contentious, with potential risks including cardiovascular issues, nutrient deficiencies, and circadian disruptions. Further high-quality, long-term studies are needed to fully understand the benefits and risks associated with ketogenic diets.

What are the latest findings on the benefits and risks of ketogenic diets?

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Benefits of Ketogenic Diets

Risks and Controversies

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Impact of a Ketogenic Diet on Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Obesity or Overweight and with or without Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

A ketogenic diet effectively improves metabolic parameters, particularly glycemic control, weight reduction, and lipid profiles, in overweight or obese patients compared to low-fat diets.

The effect of a ketogenic diet versus a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet on sleep, cognition, thyroid function, and cardiovascular health independent of weight loss: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

A ketogenic diet may have beneficial effects on sleep, cognition, thyroid function, and cardiovascular health in healthy adults, independent of weight loss.

Ketogenic Diet Benefits to Weight Loss, Glycemic Control, and Lipid Profiles in Overweight Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trails

A ketogenic diet effectively promotes weight loss, glycemic control, and improved lipid profiles in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Effects of Ketogenic Diets on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Evidence from Animal and Human Studies

Ketogenic diets show limited improvements in obesity and type 2 diabetes, but may be associated with adverse events like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance in rodents.

The Potential Health Benefits of the Ketogenic Diet: A Narrative Review

The ketogenic diet may improve microbiome diversity, epigenome, diabetes, weight loss, cardiovascular health, and cancer.

The Ketogenic Diet: Evidence for Optimism but High-Quality Research Needed

Ketogenic diets show promise as a more effective and safe first-line approach for obesity and diabetes treatment, with potential benefits for cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, and other diseases associated with insulin resistance.

Ketogenic Diet Reduces Midlife Mortality and Improves Memory in Aging Mice.

A non-obesogenic ketogenic diet reduces midlife mortality and improves memory performance in aging mice, while slightly improving overall healthspan.

Ketogenic Diet Disrupts the Circadian Clock and Increases Hypofibrinolytic Risk by Inducing Expression of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1

Ketogenic diets increase hypofibrinolytic risk by disrupting the circadian clock and causing abnormal circadian expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

Ketogenic Diet for Obesity: Friend or Foe?

The ketogenic diet may effectively induce weight loss and improve cardiovascular risk parameters in obese patients, but caution is needed due to potential side effects and potential risks.

The Ketogenic Diet for Obesity and Diabetes-Enthusiasm Outpaces Evidence.

The ketogenic diet has potential benefits for obesity and type 2 diabetes, but current evidence is inconclusive and may not be sustainable.

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