The term “ketogenic (keto) diet” generally refers to a diet that is very low in carbohydrates, modest in protein, and high in fat.
This mix of fuels aims to induce ketosis or the production of ketone bodies that serve as an alternate energy source for neurons and other cell types that cannot directly metabolize fatty acids.
A recent review study found keto diets place pregnant women and kidney disease patients at risk of adverse health effects.
They also found that for most people, the possible long-term risks of keto diets, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, outweigh its possible benefits.
The researchers suggest that the typical keto diet is a disease-promoting disaster.
Loading up on red meat, processed meat, and saturated fat and restricting carbohydrate-rich vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains is a recipe for bad health.
In the study, the researchers found keto diets may be especially unsafe for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant—low-carb diets are linked to a higher risk of neural tube defects in the baby, even when women take folic acid.
Higher-protein keto diets could hasten kidney failure in those with kidney disease.
Keto diets raise “bad cholesterol” levels for many patients. Keto diets are presented as a panacea, but they are not likely to be safe long term.
Restricting carbohydrate skews the diet toward cancer-causing foods. In fact, typical keto foods have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s—often the very diseases they are touted to help.
Keto diets have been promoted for weight loss and, less commonly, for other health reasons—seizure disorders, obesity, and weight management, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, kidney health, and prepregnancy and pregnancy—all of which were considered in this review.
It also looked at potential long-term effects on health.
The team found in addition to the big risks to kidney disease patients and pregnant women, keto diets are risky for others, too, as these diets can increase LDL cholesterol levels and may increase overall chronic disease risk.
While keto can reduce body weight short term, this approach is not more effective than other weight-loss diets.
Researchers found that the only well-supported use for this dietary approach is to reduce seizure frequency in some individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy.
The study was published in Frontiers in Nutrition and conducted by Lee Crosby, et al.
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