Does the Ketogenic Diet Mediate Inflammation Markers in Obese and Overweight Adults? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Abstract

Background/Objectives. The ketogenic diet has emerged as a potential treatment strategy for reducing inflammation. The purpose of this meta-analysis and systematic review is to look into how a ketogenic diet affects inflammatory biomarkers in persons who are overweight or obese. Methods. We conducted an extensive search of Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to find pertinent studies reporting changes in inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and cytokines after a ketogenic diet. Results. Seven randomized controlled trials involving 218 overweight or obese individuals who followed a ketogenic or control diet over 8 weeks to 2 years were included in the review, and five of those were considered for the meta-analysis. The primary outcomes were CRP and IL-6 levels. The results reported significant decreases after treatment for CRP (mean of −0.62 mg/dL (95% CI: −0.84, −0,40), and a slight, but not statistically significant, reduction in IL-6 (mean of −1.31 pg/mL (95% CI: −2.86, 0.25). Conclusions. The ketogenic diet could contribute to modulating inflammation in obese and overweight subjects.