Abstract
BackgroundMany physiological health benefits observed after following a ketogenic diet (KD) can be attributed to the associated weight loss. The KD has become more prominent as a popular health choice, not only in obese/overweight individuals, but also in healthy adults. The study aims to determine the effects of a KD, independent of weight loss, on various aspects of physiological health including: sleep, thyroid function, cognition, and cardio-metabolic health. The study will also aim to determine whether a change in basal metabolic rate may be associated with any changes observed.MethodsTwenty healthy men and women between 18 and 50 years of age will take part in this study. In a randomized controlled, cross-over design, participants will follow two isocaloric diets: a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet (55% CHO, 20% fat, 25% protein) and a KD (15% CHO, 60% fat, 25% protein). Each dietary intervention will last for a minimum of 3 weeks, with a 1-week washout period in between. Before and after each diet, participants will be assessed for sleep quality, cognitive function, thyroid function, and basal metabolic rate. A blood sample will also be taken for the measurement of cardio-metabolic and immune markers.DiscussionThe present study will help in understanding the potential effects of a KD on aspects of physiological health in healthy adults, without the confounding factor of weight loss. The study aims to fill a significant void in the academic literature with regards to the benefits and/or risks of a KD in a healthy population, but will also explore whether diet-related metabolic changes may be responsible for the changes observed in physiological health.Trial registrationPan African Clinical Trial Registry (www.pactr.org), trial number: PACTR201707002406306. Registered on 20 July 2017.
Highlights
Many physiological health benefits observed after following a ketogenic diet (KD) can be attributed to the associated weight loss
Our study aims to investigate the effect of a KD, independent of weight loss, on the physiological outcomes of sleep, cognitive function, thyroid function, metabolic rate, and cardiovascular health, including inflammatory markers, in a non-overweight/ non-obese population
Due to the confounding effects of obesity and chronic illness on physiological health, we believe that negating the effect of weight loss, chronic disease, and overweight/obesity, we can add valuable insight into the direct effects of macronutrient composition on various aspects of physiological health
Summary
Many physiological health benefits observed after following a ketogenic diet (KD) can be attributed to the associated weight loss. The study aims to determine the effects of a KD, independent of weight loss, on various aspects of physiological health including: sleep, thyroid function, cognition, and cardiometabolic health. The study will aim to determine whether a change in basal metabolic rate may be associated with any changes observed. Obesity, both independently, and in association with other obesity-related diseases, leads to adverse physiological effects of many aspects of health including sleep [1, 2], cognitive function [3, 4], and cardiovascular health [5]. The fundamental principle of the KD, is severe restriction of dietary carbohydrate consumption, with a concurrent increase in dietary fat to compensate for the energy deficit, resulting in the promotion of lipid oxidation to produce ketones as an energy source (as opposed to glucose), and a metabolic state of nutritional ketosis [16]
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