Evaluation of effectiveness and safety of short term low fat ketogenic diet in the reduction of fat mass in patients over 40 years old

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The ketogenic diet is a method of nutrition where, due to the low intake of carbohydrates, the liver is forced to convert fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies and it can be a treatment option for patients who are overweight.Objectives To evaluate effectiveness and safety of short term low fat ketogenic diet in the reduction of fat mass in patients over 40 years old.Patients and methods 107 patients with excess weight or obesity took part in this retrospective study. The first study group consisted of 52 patients over 40 years old and the second study group consisted of 55 patients under 40 years old. All patients were fed with the use of a nasogastric tube with a nutrition mixture consisting of 90% protein and only 0.7% carbohydrates for 10 days. Parameters such as weight, BMI, fat and muscle mass, as well chest, waist and hip circumference were measured before and after treatment.Results Statistical analysis revealed that there was a statistically significant reduction of BMI and fat mass as well as chest, waist and hip circumference in both groups after ketogenic therapy. In the first study group, the reduction of body mass was observed from 107.17 kg before therapy to 100.42 kg after treatment while in the second group from 104.62 kg to 98.16 kg.Conclusion Short term low fat and low carbohydrate diet seems to be an effective and safe treatment option for patients with overweight or obesity.