Ketogenic Diets Can Cause Common Adverse Events

Source: BMC nutrition

Summary

Researchers studied the effects of ketogenic diets (KDs) on people with various health conditions, including epilepsy. They looked at 36 studies published between 2019 and 2024 that reported on the negative side effects or adverse events related to these diets. The studies included a wide range of participants of different ages and health backgrounds, focusing on how often and what types of adverse events occurred.

The key findings showed that 43% of participants experienced at least one adverse event while on a ketogenic diet. The most common issues were gastrointestinal problems, like constipation, which affected 24% of people. Other adverse events included neurological and metabolic issues. Stricter diet plans were linked to a higher rate and severity of these side effects, and factors like age and existing health conditions also played a role in how well people tolerated the diet.

These findings are important because they highlight that while ketogenic diets can be beneficial, they can also lead to a variety of side effects that need to be monitored. However, the study has some limitations, such as differences in the types of diets studied and inconsistent reporting of adverse events. This means that healthcare providers should carefully track any negative effects when recommending ketogenic diets to ensure patient safety and comfort.

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