The Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet for Metabolic Health
Dominic D’Agostino is a scientist and an associate professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He attained his bachelor of science degree from Rutgers University in biological sciences and nutrition science and his PhD in Neuroscience and Physiology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robertwood Johnson Medical School. With a solid academic background in nutritional biochemistry and biological sciences, Dominic D’Agostino has conducted extensive ketone research to investigate the potential of metabolic interventions for addressing metabolic dysregulation using ketone technologies, ketone supplementation, keto nutrition, ketone ester, and ketogenic diets in improving metabolic health.
A primary benefit of a ketogenic diet used, outside of clinical medicine, is its ability to promote weight loss and improve body composition. By reducing carbohydrate intake and relying on fats as the primary energy source, the body enters a state of ketosis, efficiently burning stored fat for fuel. As a result, ketosis can lead to significant weight loss and a reduction in body fat percentage, particularly in individuals who are overweight or obese. The metabolic shift is associated with changes in hormones and brain neurocircuitry that assists people in creating and maintaining a calorie deficit, which further augments the body composition alterations.
The ketogenic diet is also associated with improved insulin sensitivity, blood sugar control, and weight loss. By minimizing carbohydrate intake, the diet helps stabilize blood glucose levels and reduces insulin spikes. This diet can particularly benefit individuals with insulin resistance, prediabetes, or type two diabetes. The ketogenic diet may help optimize blood sugar management and reduce the need for medication in most cases, as shown by numerous studies by Virta Health.
Another significant benefit of the ketogenic diet is its potential to increase high-density lipoprotein HDL (good) cholesterol levels while decreasing low-density lipoprotein LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and Triglycerides. The reduction in LDL often occurs in people that have pre-existing elevation of LDL, whereas a rise in LDL has been observed in Lean Mass Hyper-responders (LMHRs). This shift in cholesterol profile, weight loss, and improved insulin sensitivity may reduce heart diseases and metabolic syndromes. However, monitoring an individual’s lipid profile is recommended as it is essential to note that individual responses to the ketogenic diet may vary.
Also, the ketogenic diet is associated with reduced inflammation. Chronic inflammation contributes to various metabolic disorders, including obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease. By limiting carbohydrate intake, the diet may help lower inflammatory markers and promote overall inflammatory balance in the body. For more information on the metabolic and lipid altering effect of the ketogenic diet see the ketonutrition.org website.
