A recent study has raised concerns over the long-term health effects of the ketogenic, keto, diet, even as it confirms its short-term effectiveness for weight loss.
Researchers in the United States found that mice maintained on a keto diet high in fat and very low in carbohydrates showed significant improvements in reducing obesity.
However, the same mice developed worrisome metabolic issues over time, including high blood fat, lipid, levels, elevated cholesterol, fatty liver disease, and problems regulating blood sugar.
The study followed male and female mice for between 15 to 27 weeks on different diets: classic keto (approximately 90% calories from fat), a high-fat non-keto diet, and low-fat diets.
keto helped lessen weight gain compared to the high-fat group, it also produced worse‐than‐expected outcomes in terms of blood lipids and glucose handling.
Lead researcher Dr. Amandine Chaix from the University of Utah underscored that some of the harmful effects particularly the impaired glucose tolerance were reversible once the mice were switched off the keto diet.
The findings suggest that though keto diets may be effective for shedding pounds, especially in cases of obesity and early diabetes, they might carry significant risks if used for long durations without monitoring. Employees in the field have called for more human studies to see if the same patterns hold true in people.
While keto diets remain popular, especially among those seeking quick weight loss, medical experts caution individuals to consult health professionals before adopting them, particularly for prolonged periods. Balancing diet, fats, and overall metabolic health remains critical.
