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Ketogenic diets: from cancer to mitochondrial diseases and beyond
Author(s) -
Branco Ana F.,
Ferreira André,
Simões Rui F.,
MagalhãesNovais Sílvia,
Zehowski Cheryl,
Cope Elisabeth,
Silva Ana Marta,
Pereira Daniela,
Sardão Vilma A.,
CunhaOliveira Teresa
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/eci.12591
Subject(s) - ketogenic diet , adverse effect , medicine , ketosis , disease , mitochondrion , cancer , energy homeostasis , glycolysis , energy metabolism , bioinformatics , endocrinology , biology , metabolism , biochemistry , diabetes mellitus , epilepsy , obesity , psychiatry
Background The employment of dietary strategies such as ketogenic diets, which force cells to alter their energy source, has shown efficacy in the treatment of several diseases. Ketogenic diets are composed of high fat, moderate protein and low carbohydrates, which favour mitochondrial respiration rather than glycolysis for energy metabolism. Design This review focuses on how oncological, neurological and mitochondrial disorders have been targeted by ketogenic diets, their metabolic effects, and the possible mechanisms of action on mitochondrial energy homeostasis. The beneficial and adverse effects of the ketogenic diets are also highlighted. Results and conclusions Although the full mechanism by which ketogenic diets improve oncological and neurological conditions still remains to be elucidated, their clinical efficacy has attracted many new followers, and ketogenic diets can be a good option as a co‐adjuvant therapy, depending on the situation and the extent of the disease.