engleski

Low-carbohydrate diets – a short review of therapeutic uses

Introduction: Low-carbohydrate diets (LCHOD) reduce carbohydrates to less than 50 g/day or approximately 20% or less of total energy intake with proportional increase in the intake of protein and fat. A very low LCHOD is called a ketogenic diet (KD) that can vary significantly in the amount of carbohydrates, fats and sometimes protein. However, all LCHOD induce our body metabolism to shift from glycolysis towards ketosis (first described by Hans Krebs). The clinical importance of KD can be traced back to the 1920s when these diets have been successfully used in the treatment of epilepsy in children. Today there is substantial evidence to support the theory that LCHOD improves some metabolic pathways generating beneficial health effects. However, there is a potential for adverse effects and such a diet should be administered by a well- trained dietitian. Objective: The objective is to revisit therapeutic use of LCHOD, by providing evidence-based conclusions. Materials and Methods: This systematic review included search of all relevant databases up to May 4, 2016 and included all relevant key terms. Results: LCHOD are usually represented as fad diets and a tool for weight control although there is no scientific consensus on their effectiveness in comparison with low-fat diets. However, LCHOD and especially KD show a broad therapeutic action related to their effect on the body’s metabolic pathways. Studies report that different types of LCHOD have been successfully used in the treatment of epilepsy, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. For some health conditions, such as cancer and polycystic ovary syndrome, results are still inconsistent due to the complexity and the variety of these heath conditions. The full mechanism of LCHODs’ effects remain to be discovered. Nevertheless, their clinical success has attracted followers that see LCHOD as an option for a co-adjuvant therapy, depending on the situation and the extent of the disease in question. Conclusions: Despite strong evidence, the use of LCHOD is still restricted to a small number of health conditions. New studies should be encouraged in order to bring new light on the true therapeutic potential and safety of LCHOD.

low-carbohydrate diets ; ketogenic diets ; epilepsy ; diabetes ; obesity ; cardiovascular diseases

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