The Ketogenic Diet: Is It an Answer for Sarcopenic Obesity?

Zahra Ilyas, Simone Perna, Tariq A Alalwan, Muhammad Nauman Zahid, Daniele Spadaccini, Clara Gasparri, Gabriella Peroni, Alessandro Faragli, Alessio Alogna, Edoardo La Porta, Ali Ali Redha, Massimo Negro, Giuseppe Cerullo, Giuseppe D'Antona, Mariangela Rondanelli, Zahra Ilyas, Simone Perna, Tariq A Alalwan, Muhammad Nauman Zahid, Daniele Spadaccini, Clara Gasparri, Gabriella Peroni, Alessandro Faragli, Alessio Alogna, Edoardo La Porta, Ali Ali Redha, Massimo Negro, Giuseppe Cerullo, Giuseppe D'Antona, Mariangela Rondanelli

Abstract

This review aims to define the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet (KD) for the management of sarcopenic obesity. As the combination of sarcopenia and obesity appears to have multiple negative metabolic effects, this narrative review discusses the effects of the ketogenic diet as a possible synergic intervention to decrease visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and fatty infiltration of the liver as well as modulate and improve the gut microbiota, inflammation and body composition. The results of this review support the evidence that the KD improves metabolic health and expands adipose tissue γδ T cells that are important for glycaemia control during obesity. The KD is also a therapeutic option for individuals with sarcopenic obesity due to its positive effect on VAT, adipose tissue, cytokines such as blood biochemistry, gut microbiota, and body composition. However, the long-term effect of a KD on these outcomes requires further investigations before general recommendations can be made.

Keywords: cytokine; fatty liver; gut microbiota; ketogenic diet; physical inactivity; sarcopenia; visceral adipose tissue (VAT).

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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