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Ketogenic DietEvidence & Dosage

Ketosis, beta-hydroxybutyrate, exogenous ketones, neurological applications, and the evidence on fat adaptation.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
1,000
With abstract
41
Meta / Systematic / RCT
117
Highly cited
50
Publication years
1979–2026

Ketogenic Diet in the context of Methods

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Top studies on Ketogenic Diet

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. The Role of Lifestyle Interventions in PCOS Management: A Systematic Review.

    Nutrients2025n=296Systematic Review174 influential citations

    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders among reproductive-aged women. It is characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Lifestyle changes are suggested as first-line…

  2. The effect of a ketogenic diet on inflammation-related markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

    Nutr Rev2025n=44Meta-Analysis160 influential citations

    <h4>Context</h4>Despite the important role of inflammation-related factors on the occurrence of chronic diseases, there is still conflicting evidence about the effects of the ketogenic diet (KD) on these factors.<h4>Objective</h4>In order…

  3. Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) in the management of metabolic diseases: systematic review and consensus statement from the Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE).

    J Endocrinol Invest2019Systematic Review123 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Weight loss is a milestone in the prevention of chronic diseases associated with high morbility and mortality in industrialized countries. Very-low calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKDs) are increasingly used in clinical…

  4. Effect of the ketogenic diet on glycemic control, insulin resistance, and lipid metabolism in patients with T2DM: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Nutr Diabetes2020n=567meta108 influential citations

    BACKGROUND: At present, the beneficial effect of the ketogenic diet (KD) on weight loss in obese patients is generally recognized. However, a systematic research on the role of KD in the improvement of glycemic and lipid metabolism of…

  5. Ketogenic Diet and Microbiota: Friends or Enemies?

    Genes (Basel)2019Review101 influential citations

    Over the last years, a growing body of evidence suggests that gut microbial communities play a fundamental role in many aspects of human health and diseases. The gut microbiota is a very dynamic entity influenced by environment and…

  6. Ketogenic diets for drug-resistant epilepsy.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev2018n=778Systematic Review91 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Ketogenic diets (KDs), being high in fat and low in carbohydrates, have been suggested to reduce seizure frequency in people with epilepsy. At present, such diets are mainly recommended for children who continue to have…

  7. Ketogenic Diet Benefits to Weight Loss, Glycemic Control, and Lipid Profiles in Overweight Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trails.

    Int J Environ Res Public Health2022n=611meta90 influential citations

    A ketogenic diet, characterized by low calories with high levels of fat, adequate levels of protein, and low levels of carbohydrates, has beneficial effects on body weight control in overweight patients. In the present study, a…

  8. Ketogenic diet and other dietary treatments for epilepsy.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev2016n=427Systematic Review89 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>The ketogenic diet (KD), being high in fat and low in carbohydrates, has been suggested to reduce seizure frequency. It is currently used mainly for children who continue to have seizures despite treatment with…

  9. Effects of ketogenic diet on cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    J Nutr Health Aging2024n=691Meta-Analysis85 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Ketogenic diets (KD) have shown remarkable effects in many disease areas. It has been demonstrated in numerous animal experiments that KD is effective in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). But the clinical effect…

  10. Effect of Dietary Approaches on Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review with Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

    Nutrients2023n=480meta75 influential citations

    Background: Dietary patterns play a critical role in diabetes management, while the best dietary pattern for Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients is still unclear. The aim of this network meta-analysis was to compare the impacts of various…

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (VLCKD) (No more than 50 g carbohydrates/day) • Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) (Low carbohydrate content <50 g/day; 1-1.5 g protein/kg ideal body weight; 15-30 g fat/day; about 500-800 calories/day) • lifestyle modifications (dietary changes, physical activity, and behavioral changes)
Which population does the evidence apply to?
Most studies investigated: unknown; patient.
Are there safety considerations for Ketogenic Diet?
• Not reported in the abstract. • Most side effects were clinically mild. • Side effects were easily managed. • Recovery from side effects was often spontaneous.

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