Effects of Ketogenic Diet in Divers Breathing Enriched Air Nitrox

Effects of Exercise and Dietary Inatke on Muscle Metabolism and Inflammatory Status Modulated by Oxygen Free Radicals and Cytokines in Humans

Overweight divers face a challenging activity such as immersions, starting from a higher levels of circulating cytokines and oxidative stress. Ketogenic Diet (KD) is described as effective in weight loss, in countering inflammation and oxidative stress, and used in the control of drug-refractory seizures.

The aim of our pilot study was to evaluate if a ketosis state induced by a specific dietary regime, may have a protective effect on oxidative stress damages and inflammatory status, that accompanies both overweight and diving activities.

Blood and urine samples from six overweight divers were obtained a) before (CTRL) and after a dive breathing Enriched Air Nitrox and performing light underwater exercise (NTRX), b) after a dive (same conditions) performed after 7 days of KD (K-NTRX). We measured urinary 8-isoprostane and 8-OH-2-deoxyguanosine evaluating lipids peroxidation and DNA oxidative damages. Plasmatic IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were measured to investigate the inflammatory status.

Inclusion Criteria:

• to be in an overweight state (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and no history of orthopedic, cardiovascular, renal or metabolic disorders.

Exclusion Criteria:

• not to be in an overweight state (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and a history of orthopedic, cardiovascular, renal or metabolic disorders.