
Ketogenic diets have become increasingly popular for weight loss, but do they really suppress appetite? Very-low-energy diets (VLEDs) and ketogenic low-carbohydrate diets (KLCDs) are two dietary strategies that have been associated with a suppression of appetite. However, the results of clinical trials investigating the effect of ketogenic diets on appetite are inconsistent. Some studies have shown that ketogenic diets suppress the increase in the secretion of the hunger hormone ghrelin and in feelings of hunger, while others have found a transitory increase in hunger in the initial weeks of a ketogenic diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ketogenic diets suppress appetite by | Reducing the secretion of the hunger hormone ghrelin |
| Increasing the release of satiety peptides | |
| Inducing ketosis | |
| Reducing the desire to eat | |
| Reducing hunger | |
| Increasing fullness and satisfaction | |
| Reducing weight |
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What You'll Learn

Ketogenic diets suppress hunger hormone ghrelin
Ketogenic diets have been associated with suppressing hunger and reducing appetite. The hunger hormone ghrelin is understood to be a key regulator of hunger levels. Ghrelin is secreted by the stomach and its secretion is dependent on the nutritional state of the body. Prior to eating, the body's levels of ghrelin are elevated, signalling to the body that it is time to eat. After eating, ghrelin levels decrease, signalling to the body that it is no longer hungry.
Ketogenic diets are associated with lower levels of hunger and a reduced desire to eat. This is because ketogenic diets prevent an increase in ghrelin secretion, which is typically seen with weight loss. The more ketotic an individual is, the smaller the increase in ghrelin and hunger, and the larger the increase in the release of satiety peptides. This is supported by studies using exogenous ketones.
The exact mechanisms by which ketogenic diets suppress appetite are not yet fully understood. However, it is suggested that ketogenic diets may stabilise blood glucose levels, preventing drastic changes in blood sugar and improving hunger signalling.
The appetite-suppressing effect of ketogenic diets may be beneficial for improving adherence to energy-restricted diets and weight loss outcomes.
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Ketogenic diets reduce desire to eat
Ketogenic diets have been associated with a suppression of appetite. Individuals adhering to a ketogenic low-carbohydrate diet (KLCD) tend to be less hungry and have a reduced desire to eat. This is because ketogenic diets prevent an increase in appetite, despite weight loss. Ketosis is a plausible explanation for this suppression of appetite.
The hunger hormone, ghrelin, is suppressed by ketogenic diets. This hormone is made in the upper digestive tract and transmits a "eat more" signal to the brain. Studies have shown that the more ketotic participants are, the smaller is the increase in ghrelin and hunger.
The exact mechanism by which ketogenic diets suppress appetite is not yet fully understood. However, it is believed that it is a combination of the effects of ketosis on appetite-regulating hormones, ketones acting on the brain directly, and the relationship with the gut microbiota.
Furthermore, when carbohydrates and/or energy are restricted to induce ketosis, the increase in appetite seen with weight loss appears to be absent. This has contributed to the idea that ketogenic diets are easy to follow.
It is important to note that the results of clinical trials investigating the effect of ketogenic diets on appetite are inconsistent. While most studies have shown a reduction in appetite, some have shown a transitory increase in hunger from baseline up to 3 weeks on a ketogenic diet, which then disappears and only comes back after refeeding (and no ketosis).
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Ketogenic diets increase feelings of fullness
Ketogenic diets have been associated with suppressing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness. Individuals adhering to a ketogenic low-carbohydrate diet (KLCD) have been found to be less hungry and have a reduced desire to eat. This is despite the fact that weight loss usually increases appetite.
The clinical benefit of a ketogenic diet is in preventing an increase in appetite, despite weight loss, although individuals may indeed feel slightly less hungry (or more full or satisfied). Ketosis appears to provide a plausible explanation for this suppression of appetite.
Research has shown that the more ketotic participants are, the smaller the increase in ghrelin (the hunger hormone) and hunger, and the larger the increase in the release of satiety peptides. Studies looking at patients prescribed a very-low-energy diet (VLED) and hunger have shown that subjects who maintained beta-hydroxybutyrate levels of 0.3mM or greater had suppressed ghrelin levels, while those who were not in ketosis had ghrelin levels above baseline.
Ketogenic diets seem to minimise or suppress some of the responses to diet-induced weight loss, such as increased hunger and reduced fullness feelings, increased ghrelin, and reduced satiety peptides concentration (glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), cholecystokinin (CCK), and peptide YY (PYY)).
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Ketogenic diets suppress appetite during weight loss
Ketogenic diets are known to suppress appetite during weight loss. Very-low-energy diets (VLEDs) and ketogenic low-carbohydrate diets (KLCDs) are two dietary strategies that have been associated with a suppression of appetite. While the results of clinical trials investigating the effect of ketogenic diets on appetite are inconsistent, individuals adhering to such diets were found to be less hungry and exhibited greater fullness/satiety. This suppression of appetite is believed to be caused by ketosis, which may affect the activity of appetite-regulating hormones, or ketones acting on the brain directly, or a relationship with the gut microbiota.
The hunger-suppressing effect of ketogenic diets is an important asset for improving adherence to energy-restricted diets and weight loss outcomes. The majority of studies published over the last two years show that ketogenic diets suppress the increase in the secretion of the hunger hormone ghrelin and in feelings of hunger, which is not the case with weight loss induced by non-ketogenic diets.
Ketogenic diets also seem to minimise or suppress some of the negative responses to diet-induced weight loss (WL), which include increased hunger and reduced fullness feelings, increased ghrelin and reduced satiety peptides concentration (glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), cholecystokinin (CCK) and peptide YY (PYY)). A study involving 31 sedentary adults with obesity showed a transitory increase in hunger from the beginning of the diet up to three weeks, which then disappeared and only came back after refeeding (and no ketosis).
The clinical benefit of a ketogenic diet is in preventing an increase in appetite, despite weight loss, although individuals may indeed feel slightly less hungry (or more full or satisfied). Future studies should investigate the minimum level of ketosis required to achieve appetite suppression during ketogenic weight loss diets, as this could enable the inclusion of a greater variety of healthy carbohydrate-containing foods into the diet.
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Ketogenic diets and the role of ketosis
Ketogenic diets have gained popularity in recent years, especially for their potential to suppress appetite and aid in weight loss. The clinical benefit of a ketogenic diet is in preventing an increase in appetite, despite weight loss. This benefit is attributed to the state of ketosis, which the body enters when carbohydrate intake is restricted.
Ketosis and its role in appetite suppression have been the subject of numerous studies. One mechanism by which ketosis may suppress appetite is by reducing the secretion of the hunger hormone, ghrelin, and decreasing feelings of hunger. Studies have shown that the more ketotic participants are, the smaller the increase in ghrelin and hunger, and the greater the release of satiety peptides. This relationship between ketosis and appetite regulation may be due to the effect of ketosis on appetite-regulating hormones, or ketones acting directly on the brain, or even a connection with gut microbiota.
Furthermore, ketogenic diets have been found to minimize or suppress the typical responses to diet-induced weight loss, such as increased hunger and reduced fullness. This may be because ketogenic diets affect how the body perceives hunger and fullness, possibly due to changes in the concentration of appetite-related hormones like insulin, active ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), cholecystokinin (CCK), and peptide YY (PYY).
While the exact mechanisms are still being investigated, the available evidence suggests that ketogenic diets do play a role in suppressing appetite, making them a valuable tool for weight loss and weight maintenance. However, it is important to note that the results of clinical trials on the effect of ketogenic diets on appetite have been inconsistent, and more research is needed to fully understand the role of ketosis in appetite suppression.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, ketogenic diets have been associated with a suppression of appetite. Individuals on ketogenic diets were found to be less hungry and exhibited greater fullness/satiety.
Ketogenic diets suppress the increase in the secretion of the hunger hormone ghrelin and feelings of hunger. This is likely due to an effect of ketosis on the activity of appetite-regulating hormones, or ketones acting on the brain directly, or a relationship with the gut microbiota.
Ghrelin is a hormone produced in the upper digestive tract that signals the brain to eat more.
Appetite-regulating hormones include leptin, which signals the brain to eat less, and ghrelin, which signals the brain to eat more.
Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. This is achieved through a ketogenic diet, which is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet.








































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