Ketosis Diet: What's An Endocrinologist's Take?

The ketogenic diet has been used as a treatment for obesity for nearly 100 years, but it has recently become more popular as a weight loss strategy. The diet has also been used for metabolic therapy, but the long-term metabolic impact of dietary ketosis is still being studied. Some trials have shown short- and long-term benefits of the ketogenic diet on weight, glycemic control, and other endocrine functions.

The ketogenic diet has been used to treat obesity

There is a growing body of evidence that the ketogenic diet has short- and long-term benefits for weight loss, glycemic control, and other endocrine functions, including reproductive hormones. However, the metabolic impact of long-term dietary ketosis is still being studied.

One clinical trial found that a weight-maintaining ketogenic diet improved glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in obese T2D subjects. This suggests that the ketogenic diet may be a viable option for managing obesity and its related metabolic disorders.

While the ketogenic diet shows promise as a treatment for obesity, more high-quality research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness and potential risks.

There is evidence of short- and long-term benefits of the ketogenic diet on weight

Although the first medically utilised ketogenic diet was described nearly 100 years ago, it has made a resurgence as a treatment option for obesity. Despite its increased popularity, we are still beginning to understand the metabolic impact of long-term dietary ketosis.

One trial studied the effect of a weight-maintaining ketogenic diet on glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in obese T2D subjects. Another review summarised the available data on the effectiveness and durability of the ketogenic diet when compared to conventional interventions.

However, it is important to note that more high-quality research is needed to fully understand the impact of the ketogenic diet.

The ketogenic diet has been shown to have a positive impact on glycemic control

The ketogenic diet has been used as a treatment for obesity for nearly 100 years. Its recent resurgence in popularity has led to an increase in the use of ketogenic dietary strategies for metabolic therapy. However, the metabolic impact of long-term dietary ketosis is still being unravelled.

The ketogenic diet can have an impact on reproductive hormones

There is some evidence to suggest that the ketogenic diet can improve hormonal imbalances commonly associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). For example, one study found that following ≥45 days of intervention with a ketogenic diet among women with PCOS, significant improvement was observed in reproductive hormone levels, with a reduced LH/FSH ratio, reduced serum free testosterone and an increase in serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Significant weight loss was also observed in all included studies.

However, it is important to note that evidence for the benefits of the ketogenic diet in PCOS has been patchy and derived from small populations under varying conditions. Not all keto studies can be generalised for PCOS due to potential confounding factors.

Overall, while the ketogenic diet may have some positive effects on reproductive hormones, more research is needed to fully understand the impact of the diet on this area of health.

The ketogenic diet can improve insulin sensitivity in obese T2D subjects

The ketogenic diet has been used to treat obesity for nearly 100 years, but it has recently seen a resurgence in popularity. The diet has been shown to have short- and long-term benefits for weight, glycemic control, and other endocrine functions, including reproductive hormones.

One study found that the ketogenic diet can improve insulin sensitivity in obese T2D subjects. The study, published in *BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care* in 2024, found that a weight-maintaining ketogenic diet improved glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in obese T2D subjects.

Despite the promising findings, more high-quality research is needed to fully understand the metabolic impact of long-term dietary ketosis.

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