Ketogenic diet – mechanism of action and perspectives for the use in the therapy: data from clinical studies

Abstract

Ketogenic diet is a high fat and very low-carbohydrate nutritional approach that induces increased production of ketone bodies, which serve as additional energetic substrates. Since almost a century ketogenic diet has been used in the therapy of refractory epilepsy, especially in chil-dren. Popularity of the ketogenic diet has been rising in recent years in the scientific community, but also among the general public including athletes and amateurs of physical activity. Because of the pleiotropic effect of ketogenic diet on physiology, including inflammation, oxidative stress, energy balance and signaling pathways, scientists have been intensively exploring the use of it in the treatment of other diseases. In the present article current clinical studies regarding the possibility of using the ketogenic diet in the treatment of obesity, diabetes, neurological disorders and cancer has been reviewed alongside with potential mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effect of ketogenic diet in these diseases. The metabolic processes engaged in nutritional ketosis and practicals aspects of ketogenic dieting have been also discussed.