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The Effect of Ketogenic Diet on Shared Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer.
Mohammadifard, N, Haghighatdoost, F, Rahimlou, M, Rodrigues, APS, Gaskarei, MK, Okhovat, P, de Oliveira, C, Silveira, EA, Sarrafzadegan, N
Nutrients. 2022;14(17)
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Cardiovascular disease and cancer are major causes of mortality worldwide and share common pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors. The ketogenic diet, a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet, may alter metabolic pathways, potentially lowering the risk of developing these diseases. Specifically, the ketogenic diet improves energy metabolism by promoting the use of body ketones for energy production. This review examines the protective effects of the ketogenic diet in reducing cardiovascular disease and cancer risk and explores the underlying mechanisms. The ketogenic diet may suppress oxidative stress and inflammation while improving common risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia. It is important to conduct further rigorous studies to assess the long-term effects of the ketogenic diet. However, healthcare professionals can use these findings to understand the short-term benefits of the diet in managing metabolic abnormalities and reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are the first and second leading causes of death worldwide, respectively. Epidemiological evidence has demonstrated that the incidence of cancer is elevated in patients with CVD and vice versa. However, these conditions are usually regarded as separate events despite the presence of shared risk factors between both conditions, such as metabolic abnormalities and lifestyle. Cohort studies suggested that controlling for CVD risk factors may have an impact on cancer incidence. Therefore, it could be concluded that interventions that improve CVD and cancer shared risk factors may potentially be effective in preventing and treating both diseases. The ketogenic diet (KD), a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet, has been widely prescribed in weight loss programs for metabolic abnormalities. Furthermore, recent research has investigated the effects of KD on the treatment of numerous diseases, including CVD and cancer, due to its role in promoting ketolysis, ketogenesis, and modifying many other metabolic pathways with potential favorable health effects. However, there is still great debate regarding prescribing KD in patients either with CVD or cancer. Considering the number of studies on this topic, there is a clear need to summarize potential mechanisms through which KD can improve cardiovascular health and control cell proliferation. In this review, we explained the history of KD, its types, and physiological effects and discussed how it could play a role in CVD and cancer treatment and prevention.
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Satiating Effect of a Ketogenic Diet and Its Impact on Muscle Improvement and Oxidation State in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.
Benlloch, M, López-Rodríguez, MM, Cuerda-Ballester, M, Drehmer, E, Carrera, S, Ceron, JJ, Tvarijonaviciute, A, Chirivella, J, Fernández-García, D, de la Rubia Ortí, JE
Nutrients. 2019;11(5)
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the coating that protects the nerves (myelin) is damaged, and this can lead to muscle wasting. The aim of this pilot study was to establish whether a low carbohydrate (‘ketogenic’) diet would lead to improvements in muscle mass in patients with MS. 27 MS patients were given instructions to follow a Mediterranean-style ketogenic diet that consisted of 20% total calories from protein, 40% of calories from carbohydrate and 40% of calories from fat, including 60ml of coconut oil per day. After four months on the diet, participants had gained muscle mass and lost fat. They also felt less hungry, and blood tests showed lower levels of inflammation and oxidation. The researchers concluded that a ketogenic diet has the potential to provide an additional therapy for patients with MS.
Abstract
BACKGROUND It was previously established that Multiple sclerosis (MS) generates energy alterations at the mitochondrial level related to the loss of muscle mass. Ketone bodies, mainly beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), re-establish this energy alteration causing satiety, changes in body composition and a decrease in hormone-dependant hunger, such as ghrelin. The aim of this study was to establish possible improvements in body composition and the level of oxidation in patients with MS, by means of the satiating effect of a ketogenic diet. METHODS A pilot study was carried out with 27 MS patients who were given a Mediterranean isocaloric and ketogenic diet for 4 months. Anthropometric measurements, as well as satiety and hunger perception (VAS scale), were taken. In addition, BHB and paraoxonase 1 (PON1), as an oxidation marker, were measured by spectrophotometric automated assays, and ghrelin was determined by an enzyme immunoassay in the serum. All measurements were taken before and after the intervention. RESULTS A significant increase in satiety perception at lunch and dinner and of BHB in the blood was obtained. Hunger perception decreased significantly at lunch and dinner with similar levels of ghrelin. In addition, an important increase in lean mass and PON1 was observed. To our knowledge, this is the first study addressing improvements in body composition, oxidation state and metabolism in MS patients, based on the satiating effect of a Mediterranean isocaloric diet. CONCLUSION A ketogenic diet increases lean mass and decreases inflammation and oxidation possibly as a consequence of an increase in satiety and decrease in hunger in MS patients.