Abstract

 The ketogenic diet (KD), a restrictive diet, is mainly characterized by high-fat content, low or no carbohydrate content, and low or normal protein content. This review aimed to address the main syndromes or diseases in which the therapeutic use of KD can be beneficial. One of the main clinical indications of KD has been, for some time, in the treatment of epilepsy refractory to the use of medications, with satisfactory results in the control of seizures. Recently, studies have addressed the metabolism of ketone bodies caused by KD, in the adjuvant treatment of tumors and endocrine disorders, such as diabetes and obesity, with promising results. In this work, the therapeutic aspect of KD was analyzed, as an aid in the control of pre-existing diseases, and that being a very restrictive diet with controversial effects, its use may be limited and it is not advisable to maintain it for long periods or without the proper follow-up.
Highlights
The use of the ketogenic diet (KD) was introduced into clinical practice in the 1920s, there are reports of ketogenic medicine since ancient Greece
Studies have addressed the metabolism of ketone bodies caused by KD, in the adjuvant treatment of tumors and endocrine disorders, such as diabetes and obesity, with promising results
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures that often lead to cognitive deficits
Summary
The use of the ketogenic diet (KD) was introduced into clinical practice in the 1920s, there are reports of ketogenic medicine since ancient Greece. KD consists of high-fat content, low or no carbohydrate content, and low or normal protein content [1]. Despite being a special and therapeutic diet, it must meet the general principles of nutrition and provide the body with energy, proteins, minerals, and vitamins, even though supplements, aiming at the development and maintenance of the patient's physiological conditions [2]. Classic DC is typically composed of a 4:1 macronutrient ratio (4 g fat for every 1 g protein plus carbohydrate combined), shifting the predominant caloric source from carbohydrate to fat. Lower fat ratios (3:1; 2:1; 1:1), termed modified DC, can be used depending on the patient's age, tolerance, ketosis level, and protein requirement. To increase flexibility and adaptability, “easier” variants have been developed, including the modified Atkins diet, the low glycemic index diet, and the ketogenic diet combined with oil of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) [3,4,5]
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