List of Latest Keto Studies
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An umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published on May 25, 2023, investigated the health outcomes associated with ketogenic diets (KDs). The review included 17 meta-analyses comprising 68 RCTs. It found that there were statistically significant associations of KDs with reduced triglyceride levels, decreased seizure frequency, and increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). It also noted that in overweight or obese adults, very low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKDs) significantly improved anthropometric and cardiometabolic outcomes without worsening muscle mass, LDL-C, and total cholesterol. However, the evidence varied in quality, and there were calls for long-term clinical trials to understand the effects on cardiovascular events and mortality12.
Reference: BMC Medicine
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A study from UC Davis Health, referenced in a Q&A with molecular exercise physiologist Keith Baar, found that a keto diet in older animals prevents loss of muscle mass due to age and improves muscle function. The ketogenic diet was shown to maintain muscle strength and endurance into old age, as well as muscle mass. Additionally, the keto diet's impact on brain health was highlighted, noting its traditional use in treating epilepsy and potential for treating age-related neurological decline and possibly Alzheimer's disease. The study did not find substantial benefits for athletes' muscle function3.
Reference: UC Davis Health
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Research presented on March 5, 2023, at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session suggests that a keto-like diet may be linked to a higher risk of heart disease and cardiac events. The study found that a diet low in carbohydrates and high in fat was associated with increased levels of LDL cholesterol and a twofold heightened risk of cardiovascular events. The study analyzed data from the UK Biobank and found that after an average of 11.8 years of follow-up, participants on a keto-like diet had more than double the risk of having several major cardiovascular events compared to those on a standard diet4.
Reference: American College of Cardiology
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Consumer Reports of “Keto Flu” Associated With the Ketogenic Diet by E. Bostock, K. Kirkby, B. Taylor, J. Hawrelak. This study aimed to characterize the pattern of symptoms, severity and time course of keto flu as related by users of online forums. PDF Link
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Adherence to Ketogenic and Mediterranean Study Diets in a Crossover Trial: The Keto–Med Randomized Trial by M. Landry, A. Crimarco, D. Perelman, L. Durand, C. Petlura, L. Aronica, J. Robinson, S. Kim, C. Gardner. This study provides a detailed examination and comparison of the adherence to the two study diets (Well Formulated Ketogenic Diet (WFKD) and Mediterranean Plus (Med-Plus)) under the two conditions: all food being provided (delivered) and all food being obtained by individual participants (self-provided). PDF Link
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Effect of a ketogenic diet versus Mediterranean diet on glycated hemoglobin in individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: The interventional Keto-Med randomized crossover trial by C. Gardner, M. Landry, D. Perelman, C. Petlura, L. Durand, L. Aronica, A. Crimarco, K. Cunanan, A. Chang, C. Dant, J. Robinson, S. Kim. This study compared 2 low-carbohydrate diets with 3 key similarities (incorporating nonstarchy vegetables and avoiding added sugars and refined grains) and 3 key differences (incorporating compared with avoiding legumes, fruits, and whole, intact grains) for their effects on glucose control and cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with prediabetes and T2DM. PDF Link
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Effect of a low-protein diet supplemented with keto-acids on autophagy and inflammation in 5/6 nephrectomized rats by Y. Zhang, J. Huang, M. Yang, L. Gu, J. Ji, L. Wang, W. Yuan. This study demonstrated that autophagy/mitophagy was increased and inflammation was aggravated in skeletal muscle in chronic kidney disease (CKD) rats. A low-protein diet (LPD) supplemented with ketoacids (KA) improved the loss in muscle mass and blocked the activation of autophagy/mitophagy and inflammation in those rats. PDF Link
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Ketogenic Diet and Weight Loss: Is There an Effect on Energy Expenditure? by A. Basolo, S. Magno, F. Santini, G. Ceccarini. This study explored the mitochondrial and performative outcomes of a novel eight-week ketone-supplemented ketogenic (KETO) diet in healthy adult male and female mice. PDF Link
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Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis Precipitated by a Keto Diet: Importance of Dietary History in Diagnosis by S. Shaikh, M. Mohamed, A. Mujeeb, F. Shaikh, B. Harris. This study presents a rare case of a 28-year-old type 1 diabetic male, presenting with abdominal pain, fatigue, and dizziness after one week of starting a keto diet. He was diagnosed with euglycemic DKA, managed with DKA protocol and given detailed dietary counselling to avoid the keto diet in future. PDF Link
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A Novel Ketone-Supplemented Diet Improves Recognition Memory and Hippocampal Mitochondrial Efficiency in Healthy Adult Mice by E. Saito, C. Warren, C. Hanegan, J. Larsen, J. du Randt, M. Cannon, J. Saito, R. Campbell, C. Kemberling, G. Miller, J. Edwards, B. Bikman. This study demonstrates the KETO diet improves hippocampal mitochondrial efficiency. They add to a growing body of evidence that suggests ketones and ketogenic diets are neuroprotective and metabolically and cognitively relevant, even in healthy adults. PDF Link
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Response: Commentary: Consumer Reports of “Keto Flu” Associated With the Ketogenic Diet by E. Bostock, K. Kirkby, B. Taylor, J. Hawrelak. This is a response to a commentary on their previous study on "keto flu" associated with the ketogenic diet. PDF Link