A collaborative research team from the University of Bath, along with colleagues from the University of Bristol, the Oxford University Hospital Trusts, Maastricht University, and the Teagasc Food Research Center, investigated the health impacts of a ketogenic diet.
The study, published in Cell Reports Medicine, specifically examined how this diet influences cholesterol levels and gut bacteria. Volunteers were placed on a ketogenic diet for a month to allow researchers to observe and measure the diet’s effects on various health markers.
The ketogenic diet, characterized by a substantial reduction in carbohydrate intake and an increase in fat consumption from sources like meat, dairy, cheese, eggs, and avocados, has been previously noted for its weight loss benefits.
However, it also poses potential health risks, including nutritional deficiencies, digestive issues, kidney stones, and long-term bone health problems. This study aimed to further explore these risks, particularly focusing on LDL cholesterol levels and other potential health issues associated with the diet.
To investigate these potential risks, the researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 53 non-obese adult participants. These individuals were divided into three groups: one following a ketogenic diet, another following a low-sugar diet, and a control group adhering to a moderate diet.
This design allowed the researchers to compare the health impacts across different dietary patterns and identify specific changes attributable to the ketogenic diet.
After one month, the findings revealed that participants on the ketogenic diet lost an average of 1.6 kg of fat. However, this group also exhibited a significant 16% increase in LDL cholesterol levels and a 26% increase in apolipoprotein B, a protein associated with arterial clogging.
In contrast, participants on the low-sugar diet lost an average of 1 kg of fat, experienced a 10% decrease in LDL cholesterol levels, and showed no change in apolipoprotein B levels. These results highlighted the distinct cardiovascular risks associated with the ketogenic diet compared to other dietary patterns.
Additionally, the researchers observed a reduction in certain gut bacteria in participants on the ketogenic diet, particularly those involved in immune system support and vitamin B production.
This finding suggests that the ketogenic diet may adversely affect gut health and overall immune function. These insights underscore the importance of considering both the benefits and potential risks of ketogenic diets, particularly in relation to cardiovascular health and gut microbiota.
