Very Low Ketogenic Diet and Energy Expenditure

Effect of Very Low Ketogenic Diet on Energy Metabolism in Women With Obesity

This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the active phase of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet in females with obesity lasting 28 days on body weight, body composition and energy metabolism using a metabolic chamber.

Patients were recruited at the Obesity and Lipodystrophy Center, University Hospital of Pisa. Enrolled subjects underwent active phase of very low-calorie ketogenic diet within the metabolic chamber from day 0 for a duration of 4 weeks (day 0-28). On days 0, 7, and 28, patients underwent a 24-hour measurement of energy metabolism using the metabolic chamber. On the day of exit from the chamber measurement of body composition was conducted using total-body densitometry (Lunar iDXA; GE Healthcare).

Inclusion Criteria:

• overweight and obesity

Exclusion Criteria:

• Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus
• endocrine disorders
• asthma or pulmonary conditions
• cardiovascular disease
• gastrointestinal disease
• liver disease
• kidney diseases
• anemia (hemoglobin < 11 g/dL)
• leucopenia (white blood cells < 4,000/mcL)
• thrombocytopenia (platelets < 150,000/mcL)
• central nervous system disorders
• neurodegenerative diseases
• psychiatric disorders
• eating disorders
• alcohol abuse and substance dependence
• pregnancy
• lactation.