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Efficacy and safety of very low calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) in patients with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Very low calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) has been proposed as a promising option to achieve a significant weight loss in a short time period. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate its efficacy and safety in patients with overweight and obesity. Four databases were searched on May 2019. Studies reporting data on body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body composition, blood pressure, HbA1c, lipids, and markers of liver and kidney function were selected. Discontinuation was also assessed. Twelve studies were included. VLCKD was associated with weight losses of −10.0 kg (I2 = 6%) and − 15.6 kg (I2 = 37%) in studies with a ketogenic phase up to and of at least four weeks, respectively. The weight lost during the ketogenic phase was stable in the subsequent follow-up up to two years (p = 0.12). Also, VLCKD was associated with reductions of BMI (−5.3 kg/m2), waist circumference (−12.6 cm), HbA1c (−0.7%), total cholesterol (−28 mg/dl), triglycerides (−30 mg/dl), AST (−7 U/l), ALT (−8 U/l), GGT (−8 U/l), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (−8 and − 7 mmHg, respectively). No changes in LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, serum creatinine, serum uric acid and serum potassium were found. Serum sodium increased during VLCKD (+1.6 mEq/l). The overall prevalence of patients discontinuing VLCKD was 7.5% and this was similar to patients undergoing a low calorie diet (p = 0.83). The present review supports the use of VLCKD as an effective strategy for the management of overweight and obesity. Future guidelines should include a specific recommendation for this intervention.

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Data accessibility

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

    Marco Castellana, Eleonora Conte, Angelo Cignarelli, Sebastio Perrini & Francesco Giorgino

  2. IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, San Raffaele Vita Salute University, Milan, Italy

    Andrea Giustina

  3. Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Competence Center for Thyroid Diseases, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland

    Luca Giovanella & Pierpaolo Trimboli

  4. Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Luca Giovanella

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  1. Marco Castellana
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Contributions

MC and PT conceived the meta-analysis, developed the search strategy and provided statistical expertise. MC, EC, AC, and PT drafted the manuscript. All Authors contributed to the development of the selection criteria, the risk of bias assessment strategy and data extraction criteria. All Authors read, provided feedback, and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Pierpaolo Trimboli.

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These systematic review and meta-analysis were in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Analyses were performed on data extracted from published papers.

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MC, EC, AC, SP, AG, LG, FG, and PT declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Castellana, M., Conte, E., Cignarelli, A. et al. Efficacy and safety of very low calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) in patients with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 21, 5–16 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-019-09514-y

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