Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 08, 2024 4 hours, 53 minutes ago
Medical News: The ketogenic diet (KD), famed for its potential benefits in weight loss and blood sugar control, has gained global popularity. While commonly used as a remedy for obesity and type 2 diabetes, some researchers now question its safety for long-term use. A new study from researchers at the Academy of National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, Beijing, China, delves into the effects of a generalized ketogenic diet on liver health and gut bacteria in healthy rats. This
Medical News report explores their findings, shedding light on the potential risks tied to this high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet.
Ketogenic Diets Can Cause Liver Damage and Gut Dysbiosis!
The Study at a Glance
The research team divided male Sprague - Dawley (SD) rats into five groups, each fed a different ratio of fat to carbohydrates for eight weeks. This controlled experiment compared rats on a high-carbohydrate diet to those on a generalized ketogenic diet with 50% of their caloric intake from fats. By analyzing the rats’ liver and gut microbiota, the study revealed concerning trends in liver health and bacterial diversity, emphasizing a need for caution when adopting the ketogenic lifestyle.
Impact on Liver Health
One of the most significant findings in this study was the diet’s impact on liver health. The researchers measured several liver enzyme levels, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (SAP), which are crucial indicators of liver health. The rats on the high-fat ketogenic diet showed elevated levels of these enzymes, suggesting liver impairment. Additionally, some liver tissue samples revealed signs of mild inflammation and fat buildup, or hepatic steatosis - a condition where fat accumulates in liver cells.
The study findings align with concerns that a high-fat diet may not be entirely benign. Elevated ALT levels can signal stress on liver cells, potentially leading to conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Prolonged adherence to a ketogenic diet could thus increase liver health risks, particularly if not monitored by healthcare providers.
Changes in Gut Microbiota
The liver was not the only area affected. The study also examined the changes in gut bacteria associated with the ketogenic diet, revealing a shift in bacterial composition. For instance, beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Lactococcus, commonly associated with gut health, decreased in abundance. On the other hand, potentially harmful bacteria like Anaerotruncus and Enterococcus, which can lead to intestinal inflammation and other health issues, became more prominent.
This alteration in the gut microbiota could lead to long-term health implications. Beneficial bacteria help maintain a balanced immune system and support digestion, while harmful strains may contribute to inflammatory conditions. By disrupting the gut flora, a prolonged ketogenic diet may negatively impact the body’s overall health beyond weight management.
Additional Find
ings on Physical Health
Despite the ketogenic diet’s popularity for weight management, this study found little difference in body weight gain between the rats on high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets. However, it did observe changes in colon length, with rats on the high-fat diet exhibiting longer colons. While the significance of colon length changes remains unclear, they could point to potential digestive issues that might arise from the diet's composition.
Understanding the Mechanisms
To understand how a high-fat diet impacts the liver and gut bacteria, the researchers conducted genetic sequencing of the gut microbiota. The results showed decreased diversity in probiotic bacteria, which play a role in fighting off infections, supporting digestion, and maintaining gut health. Conversely, bacteria associated with inflammation and other diseases became more prevalent. This shift suggests that a ketogenic diet may alter the gut environment, possibly leading to an imbalance that favors disease-promoting bacteria over health-supporting ones.
The study’s findings also highlighted that diets with either very high fat or very high carbohydrate content could lead to unfavorable shifts in gut bacteria. This observation raises questions about dietary balance and the potential need for moderation, rather than strict adherence to one dietary pattern.
Conclusion: A Balanced Perspective on the Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet’s effectiveness in short-term weight loss and blood glucose control is well-documented. However, this study emphasizes that the diet may come with hidden risks, especially regarding liver health and gut bacteria balance. Regular monitoring of liver enzymes and gut microbiota may be essential for individuals on a ketogenic diet, particularly if used over an extended period.
For those considering the ketogenic diet, the study serves as a reminder to approach it with caution and seek medical guidance. Incorporating dietary fiber and other balanced nutrients may help mitigate some of the diet’s adverse effects on gut bacteria. Further research is needed to explore whether adjustments to the ketogenic diet can reduce these risks while retaining its benefits.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Biology.
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/13/11/899
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/keto-diet-linked-to-nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/unhealthy-plant-based-diets-linked-to-higher-covid-19-risk
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/diets-and-nutrition
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