Khaberni - The popularity of the "keto" diet, based on high fat intake and reducing carbohydrates, has increased in recent years, driven by promises of rapid weight loss. However, a new scientific study suggests that this diet may have potential side effects that could cause concern in the long term.
Physiologist Molly Gallop, the lead researcher in the study, urged those interested in following the keto diet to consult healthcare providers before starting it, confirming that its metabolic effects (metabolism: converting food into vital substances) may not all be positive, according to the journal "Science Advances".
Weight Loss Versus Health Risks
A research team from the University of Utah in the United States found that mice that followed a diet similar to keto lost less weight compared to those that consumed a high-fat diet in the Western style, but they, in contrast, developed fatty liver disease and showed signs of disturbed blood sugar level regulation.
Gallop pointed out that most previous research focused on weight loss or short-term effects, while studies addressing the long-term effects of this diet on metabolic functions and overall health are still limited.
The keto diet derives its name from the state of “ketosis,” a metabolic state in which the body relies on burning fat instead of glucose as its main energy source, which requires the consumption of foods high in fats and low in carbohydrates.
During the study, researchers followed mice subjected to four different diets for at least nine months, including a high-fat diet, a high-fat and low-carbohydrate (keto) diet, a low-fat and high-carbohydrate diet, in addition to a low-fat diet with protein ratios similar to the keto diet.
The results showed that male mice on the keto diet developed fatty liver disease and liver dysfunction, which is an indicator of metabolic disorders.
Researcher Amandine Chaix from the University of Utah commented that excess fats in high-fat diets inevitably accumulate somewhere, and they often end up in the blood or liver.
Blood Sugar Regulation Disorder
Male and female mice also showed a decrease in blood glucose and insulin levels after two to three months of following the keto diet.
Analyses revealed that the cause was due to a disorder in regulating insulin production, as a result of the pancreatic cells’ inability to secrete it in sufficient quantities.
Researchers suggest that high levels of fats in the blood lead to stress on pancreatic cells, weakening their ability to produce insulin, while the reasons for the differences in liver effects between males and females are still under study.
Reversible Results
Despite these negative indicators, the study carried a positive aspect, as blood sugar levels returned to normal among the mice that stopped following the keto diet, indicating the possibility of reversing some of these health effects.
