Ketogenic Diet

July 15, 2019

The Ketogenic Diet for Obesity and Diabetes—Enthusiasm Outpaces Evidence

Shivam Joshi, MD^1,2; Robert J. Ostfeld, MD, MSc³; Michelle McMacken, MD^1,2

Author Affiliations Article Information

JAMA Intern Med. Published online July 15, 2019. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.2633

The ketogenic diet has recently received much attention for its promise of treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, the enthusiasm for its potential benefits exceeds the current evidence supporting its use for these conditions. Although the temptation is great to recommend a potentially novel approach for otherwise difficult-to-treat diseases, it is important to remain grounded in our appraisal of the risks, benefits, and applicability of the diet to avoid unnecessary harm and costs to patients.

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Although the ketogenic diet has garnered much attention for the dietary treatment of chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, the evidence supporting its use is currently limited and the diet’s potential risks are real. Physicians and patients should continue to judiciously appraise the benefits and risks of the ketogenic diet in accordance with the evidence, not the hype.