👥 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗟𝗖𝗞𝗗 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲

A new systematic review just shed light on how very-low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKD) reshape the gut microbiota in people with obesity.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀:

• VLCKD boosts gut diversity

  People on this diet had a wider variety of gut bacteria—generally a sign of better gut health.

• It increases Akkermansia muciniphila

  This helpful bacterium supports metabolism and strengthens the gut lining.

• But it lowers Bifidobacterium

  That’s a common probiotic, so the diet may need balancing with supplements.

• Microbial balance shifts

  The ratio of two major bacterial groups (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) changed—suggesting a reorganisation of the gut ecosystem, not necessarily a bad thing.

The most notable effects were observed in adults over 30 years old and those with moderate obesity (BMI 30–35).

🥊 Summary

VLCKD may help improve gut health and metabolism, but probiotic support might be needed during longer diets to keep your gut in good shape.

🧠 Ketogenic diet and the brain: New evidence on neurological health

Can what we eat really change how our brain works? A new review says yes.

It explores how the ketogenic diet influences key neurological conditions: from epilepsy to Alzheimer’s, migraine, Parkinson, depression and multiple sclerosis.

The findings are really promising:

• In 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲, the ketogenic diet 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 use more effectively than low-carb diets.

• In 𝗔𝗹𝘇𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿’𝘀, higher blood ketone levels correlated with 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.

• In 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻’𝘀, ketones helped the brain use Parkinson’s medication more effectively (𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗽𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆) and improved motor and cognitive function.

• In 𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴-𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗽𝘀𝘆, seizure frequency dropped by up to 50% under ketogenic protocols enriched with medium chain triglycerides (MCTs).

• In 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀, the ketogenic–Mediterranean model boosted brain repair signals and reduced inflammation linked to multiple sclerosis (supported 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝘆𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, and 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 markers).

Beyond its metabolic effects, ketosis appears to restore mitochondrial function, enhance GABAergic signalling, and modulate the gut–brain axis; all mechanisms that could redefine nutrition-based neurological interventions.

🥊 Summary

The ketogenic diet is not just a 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆, but has potential to be a neuroprotective strategy.

🧬 Very low carb diet and fertility: New evidence from Italy

A new study sheds light on the potential role of the 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘆-𝗟𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗞𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘁 (VLKD) in improving fertility outcomes among women with overweight or obesity preparing for in vitro fertilisation.

This prospective case series included 52 infertile women who followed a structured VLCKD using medical meal replacements and controlled supplementation for 3 months.

THE VLCKD diet consistent of <800 kcal/day, with 20–30 g/day of carbohydrates and protein intake at 1.2 g/kg of ideal body weight (calculated based on BMI of 23).

After 3 months, there was a gradual transition to a Mediterranean-style diet.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀:

• A staggering 58% total pregnancy rate (natural + ART) was reported.

• 68% achieved >10% weight loss while preserving muscle.

• Significant improvements in lipid, blood sugar and liver enzyme markers (e.g. glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profile).

• No serious side effect reported.

The VLCKD appeared to be an 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 nutritional strategy to optimize metabolic health and possibly 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 in women awaiting ART.

🥊 Summary

A well-designed ketogenic protocol can turn the pre-IVF waiting period into a real therapeutic window, improving both metabolic and reproductive potential.