The Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential and Risks of the Ketogenic Diet

Abstract

As the demand for weight loss increases, the ketogenic diet (KD) has gradually attracted public attention and become one of the most popular dietary choices. This diet is characterized by high fat and low carbohydrates and was originally used to treat epilepsy. In recent years, studies have shown that KD has potential benefits in controlling obesity, improving metabolic syndrome, reducing insulin requirements in patients with type 2 diabetes, and alleviating inflammation. However, the effectiveness, safety, and risks of KD during pregnancy still need to be further verified. This article aims to explore the benefits and risks of KD as a dietary treatment and to clarify the differences between ketogenic diets for epilepsy and obesity. Studies have shown that KD improves multiple health indicators by inducing ketone body production and has therapeutic potential in certain neurodegenerative diseases. However, KD is also accompanied by certain side effects, such as hypoglycemia, digestive problems, and malnutrition, especially in children and elderly patients. Although KD performs well in controlling weight and improving blood sugar levels, its effects on cardiovascular disease, microbiome regulation, and cancer control need to be further studied. This article reveals the potential therapeutic value of KD for multiple diseases through a comprehensive evaluation of existing research results and emphasizes the importance of future research on dietary recommendations to promote health improvement.