Scientists from the Sapienza University of Rome and elsewhere found that a very low-calorie keto diet can help reduce obesity and metabolic problems.
Obesity is a medical condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat that may negatively affect a person’s health.
It is typically measured by Body Mass Index (BMI), a calculation that takes into account a person’s weight and height. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
Obesity is a complex health condition with multiple causes, including genetics, lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity, and environmental factors.
It can increase the risk of developing several health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.
The Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) is a special diet that can help people with metabolic diseases.
In the study, researchers wanted to find out what factors affect how much weight people lose while on this diet.
They also wanted to learn more about Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21), a molecule that helps regulate energy levels in the body.
The VLCKD is a strict diet where people eat fewer than 800 calories per day. They also limit the number of carbohydrates they eat to less than 50 grams per day.
Instead, they eat a lot of protein and only a small amount of fat. In this study, 34 people who were overweight or obese followed the VLCKD for 45 days.
Researchers measured their weight, body composition, and blood and urine chemistry before and after the diet.
The results showed that people lost weight and improved their body composition on the VLCKD.
They also had better results on many metabolic tests. Additionally, the levels of FGF21 in their bodies decreased significantly after the diet.
Researchers found that people who had lower levels of FGF21 at the start of the study tended to lose more weight on the diet.
Men with central obesity, which means they carried extra weight in their midsection, also tended to lose more weight.
The team found these factors were better predictors of weight loss than age, initial weight, or other metabolic markers.
Overall, the study showed that the VLCKD is a safe and effective way to treat obesity and related health problems.
The researchers suggest that men with central obesity and lower levels of FGF21 may see the most benefits from this diet.
More research is needed to see if these results are unique to the VLCKD or if other low-calorie diets would work as well.
The research was published in Frontiers in Nutrition and was conducted by Ilaria Ernesti et al.
Copyright © 2023 Scientific Diet. All rights reserved.
