The impact of a ketogenic diet on weight loss, metabolism, body composition and quality of life
Simon Hirschberger,
David Effinger,
Polina Yoncheva,
Annika Schmid,
Mara-Noel Weis,
Lesca-Miriam Holdt,
Daniel Teupser,
Simone Kreth
Affiliations
Simon Hirschberger
Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; Department of Anaesthesiology, Research Unit Immune Function and Immune Metabolism, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
David Effinger
Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; Department of Anaesthesiology, Research Unit Immune Function and Immune Metabolism, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
Polina Yoncheva
Department of Anaesthesiology, Research Unit Immune Function and Immune Metabolism, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
Annika Schmid
Department of Anaesthesiology, Research Unit Immune Function and Immune Metabolism, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
Mara-Noel Weis
Department of Anaesthesiology, Research Unit Immune Function and Immune Metabolism, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
Lesca-Miriam Holdt
Institute of Laboratory Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
Daniel Teupser
Institute of Laboratory Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
Simone Kreth
Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU) Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; Department of Anaesthesiology, Research Unit Immune Function and Immune Metabolism, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; Corresponding author
Summary: A ketogenic diet (KD) is increasingly debated as a countermeasure against nutrition-related modern diseases. While being immunologically beneficial, KD is still suspected of having severe metabolic side effects and negatively impacting general well-being, which prevents its widespread clinical use. We conducted a prospective pre-post interventional study investigating the effects of an eucaloric KD on metabolism, weight loss, body composition, diet adherence, and quality of life. The study had two stages: first, feasibility was tested in healthy, normal-weight participants over three weeks. After positive results, the KD period was expanded to three months, enrolling adults with overweight. Significant weight loss was observed in both groups, reducing body fat without affecting muscle or bone mass and without adverse metabolic changes. Quality of life improved, and fatigue symptoms in subjects with overweight decreased. These findings may help to overcome reservations about KD, encouraging its use as a medical tool for treating nutrition-related disorders.
