A high-fat ketogenic diet (KD) promotes higher total energy expenditure (TEE), which leads to weight loss. In addition, the appetite suppressant effects of acetoacetate (AcAc) and ketone bodies beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) promote weight loss. A previous study revealed that 14 days of KD caused spontaneous weight loss in obese and type 2 diabetic patients. However, there have been contradictory findings regarding the effect of a KD on TEE and appetite perception.
Considering the contradictory results, a recent Clinical Nutrition ESPEN study compared the effects of a one-day ketogenic diet, fasting, and ketone salts (KS) supplementation with typical carbohydrates (CHO) on energy expenditure and appetite perception in healthy individuals.
Study: Impact of one-day fasting, ketogenic diet or exogenous ketones on control of energy balance in healthy participants. Image Credit: Epine / Shutterstock
Background
Even though KD has many health benefits, including lowering glycemia and insulin levels, it has been associated with some ill effects, such as an increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition, long-term adherence to KD could be difficult due to restricted food choices and undesirable side effects, such as gastrointestinal problems. Recently, intermittent fasting or short-term diets have gained much popularity.
Total fasting decreases energy expenditure (EE) and increases appetite. Therefore, 24 hours of KD could be a favorable diet strategy to reduce weight. Currently, exogenous ketones (EXO) have become commercially available as racemic ketone salts (KS, D/L-BHB) or as ketone esters (KE, D-BHB), which can be used as supplements to achieve ketosis.
There have been mixed results regarding appetite suppressant effects of exogenous ketone supplementation. For instance, some studies revealed that KE mimics the appetite suppressant effect of a KD by decreasing the ghrelin levels. However, others have contradicted this result and revealed that oral consumption or intravenous administration of KS does not affect appetite suppression.
About the Study
A total of 8 healthy adults, equally representative of men and women, were…