Ketogenic Diet as a Possible Non-pharmacological Therapy in Main Endocrine Diseases of the Female Reproductive System: A Practical Guide for Nutritionists

Abstract

Purposeof Review This narrative review explored the role of ketogenic diets (KDs) in improving fertility outcomes, low-grade inflammation, body weight, visceral adipose tissue, and its potential use in certain types of cancer, through its favorable actions on mitochondrial function, reactive oxygen species generation, chronic inflammation, and tumor growth inhibition. Recent Findings Nutrition is crucial to maintain the female reproductive system’s health. Evidence on the association between diet and female reproductive system has greatly expanded over the last decade, leading to the identification of specific diet therapy, particularly KDs. KDs has been proved to be an effective weight-loss tool. To date, KDs is being increasingly used in the treatment of many diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus. KDs is a dietary intervention capable of ameliorating the inflammatory state and oxidative stress through several mechanisms. Summary Due to the increasing use of KDs beyond obesity, this literature review will provide the latest scientific evidence of its possible use in common disorders of the female endocrine-reproductive tract, and a practical guide to its use in these patients.

Obesity and Obesity-Related Thyroid Dysfunction: Any Potential Role for the Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD)?

“…According to the SIE position statement, the VLCKD protocol has several stages [ 42 – 44 ]. The first 8—12 weeks describe reduced carbohydrate intake to induce nutritional ketosis [ 2 ••, 45 ]. During the initial stage, the diet consists of very few calories (650—800 kcal/day) and is low in carbohydrates (less than 30 g daily from vegetables) and fat (only 20 g per day, derived from olive oil).…”

High Fat Diet and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Adolescence: An Overview of Nutritional Strategies

“…Pathophysiological conditions include comorbidities such as hepatic, renal, cardiac, and respiratory insufficiency; type 1 diabetes; recent myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular stroke; as well as severe psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, eating disorders, alcohol, and substance abuse are contraindications for a very-low carbohydrate ketogenic diet (VLCKD) [94].…”

“…KDs have been demonstrated to be effective for weight loss and to support the overall health of the female reproductive system thanks to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity [94].…”

“…It is important to note that one of the advantages of being in a state of ketosis is the ability of ketone bodies to reduce appetite by inhibiting the release of cerebral neuropeptide Y and ghrelin [95]. Furthermore, the KD induces alterations in the metabolic framework and various molecular processes, offering several benefits [94]. These include heightened insulin sensitivity, decreased lipid synthesis, suppression of inflammatory pathways, protection against oxidative stress, and the initiation of autophagy and mitochondrion genesis [94,96].…”

“…Furthermore, the KD induces alterations in the metabolic framework and various molecular processes, offering several benefits [94]. These include heightened insulin sensitivity, decreased lipid synthesis, suppression of inflammatory pathways, protection against oxidative stress, and the initiation of autophagy and mitochondrion genesis [94,96]. It is noteworthy that mitochondria play an important role in oocyte quality, and their dysfunction has been observed with a consequent fertility compromise in woman with PCOS [94,96].…”