A. Tagliabue, S. Bertoli, C. Trentani, P. Borrelli and P. Veggiotti (2012). Effects of the ketogenic diet on nutritional status, resting energy expenditure, and substrate oxidation in patients with medically refractory epilepsy: a 6-month prospective observational study. Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), 31(2), 246-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2011.09.012

PubMed 22019282

[Abstract]
BACKGROUND & AIMS: This 6-month prospective, single-arm observational study was designed to assess the effects of the KD on the nutritional status, resting energy expenditure (REE), and substrate oxidation in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

METHODS: Eighteen patients with medically refractory epilepsy underwent assessment of body composition, REE, and substrate oxidation rates before and after 6 months of KD.

RESULTS: Compared with baseline, there were no statistically significant differences at 6 months in terms of height, weight, BMI z-scores, and REE. However, the respiratory quotient decreased significantly (from 0.80 ± 0.06 to 0.72 ± 0.05, p < 0.001) whereas fat oxidation was significantly increased (from 50.9 ± 25.2 mg/min to 97.5 ± 25.7 mg/min, p < 0.001). Interestingly, we found that the increase in fat oxidation was the main independent predictor of the reduction in seizure frequency (beta = -0.97, t = -6.3, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Administering a KD for 6 months in patients with medically refractory epilepsy increases fat oxidation and decreases the respiratory quotient, without appreciable changes in REE.