Effect of a Ketogenic Diet on Body Weight and Lipid Profile

Abstract

This review article aimed to study the effects of a ketogenic diet on obesity-related measures, and lipid profiles. Total 22 articles were included in the review. Anthropometric measures included in the review were total body mass (Wt), fat mass (FM), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). The lipid profile included in this review was serum cholesterol level, serum HDL, serum LDL, and serum triglycerides (TAG). The shortest intervention in these studies lasted for 4 days, and the longest intervention lasted for 12 months. There was a significant Wt loss in all studies. A significant reduction in BMI, FM, and WC was also observed in many studies. In most studies, variable effects on lipid profile were observed. Serum TC level fell in 10 studies, and serum TAG levels decreased in 13 studies, but this reduction was statistically insignificant in most studies. Serum LDL level fell in 10 studies and increased in 3 studies, and serum HDL levels fell in 7 studies and increased in 6 studies, but these changes were also not statistically significant in most studies. This review article found beneficial effects of ketogenic diet weight loss and lipid profile, but the studies in this review included the dietary intervention of a period≤12 months. Studies for extended periods (at least ≥2 years) should be done to observe the long-term effects of a ketogenic diet.