🍽️ The concerning consequence of the ketogenic/keto diet

The ketogenic diet (or keto diet) is often presented as a miracle solution for weight loss and improving metabolic health. However, behind this growing popularity lie questions about its long-term effects. A recent scientific study sheds new light on this dietary practice that profoundly alters our internal functioning.

Researchers from the University of Utah conducted an in-depth experiment on mice subjected to different diets for nine months. They compared the effects of a high-fat Western-type diet, a low-fat diet, and the traditional ketogenic diet where almost all calories come from fats. The team measured changes in body weight, blood fat composition, fat accumulation in the liver, as well as blood sugar and insulin levels.


The results show that the ketogenic diet did indeed help limit weight gain in mice, compared to the high-fat Western diet. The animals following this diet maintained a significantly lower body weight, but with an increase in mass mainly due to fat rather than muscle. This observation confirms the effectiveness of the diet for weight control, but hides more concerning consequences that manifested gradually.

Despite this apparent advantage, severe metabolic complications appeared in mice fed the ketogenic diet. The accumulation of fat in the liver, known as hepatic steatosis, became particularly marked. This condition is generally associated with obesity-related metabolic disorders. The researchers noted notable differences between males and females, with the former developing severe hepatic steatosis while the latter seemed protected from this effect.

Another concerning aspect involves blood sugar regulation. After two to three months on the ketogenic diet, the mice showed low levels of glucose and insulin. However, when they received a small amount of carbohydrates, their response was completely disrupted. Their blood sugar rose very high and remained elevated for a long time, which represents a health risk. The pancreatic cells responsible for insulin production showed signs of stress and were not functioning properly.

The researchers explain that when the body is constantly exposed to high levels of fat, pancreatic cells undergo stress that affects their ability to produce and release insulin. This discovery could explain why blood sugar regulation becomes problematic after a long period on the ketogenic diet. Fortunately, these problems appear to be reversible when the diet is stopped, suggesting a possibility of returning to normal.

Molly Gallop, who led this research, emphasizes that most previous studies had focused on the short-term effects of the ketogenic diet. She encourages anyone considering this type of diet to consult a healthcare professional beforehand. Although this work was conducted on mice, it highlights metabolic risks that have been little explored until now and deserve particular attention.

The phenomenon of ketosis

Ketosis is a particular metabolic state that the body reaches when it lacks carbohydrates. Normally, our body uses sugar as its main energy source, but when deprived of it, it must find an alternative. The liver then begins to produce ketone bodies from stored fats, which become the main fuel for the brain and other organs.

This survival mechanism is similar to what happens during prolonged fasting. The body draws on its lipid reserves to maintain its vital functions. In the context of the ketogenic diet, this situation is deliberately induced by severely limiting carbohydrate intake while significantly increasing fat consumption. The goal is to keep the body in a permanent state of ketosis.

Ketone bodies circulate in the blood and are used by cells as an energy source. This process explains why the ketogenic diet can help with weight loss, as it forces the body to burn its fat reserves. However, this metabolic adaptation is not without consequences and can disrupt the body's natural balance in the long term.

It's important to understand that ketosis is different from ketoacidosis, a dangerous condition that occurs in diabetics. Nutritional ketosis is generally considered safe in the short term, but its prolonged effects are the subject of extensive research to better understand its implications for overall health.