Long-Term Keto Diet in Mice Causes High Cholesterol, Fatty Liver, Glucose Intolerance

Recent long-term studies in mice have revealed that while ketogenic diets (high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets) can initially promote weight loss, they may lead to significant metabolic health issues over time, including fatty liver disease, glucose intolerance, and dangerously high blood lipid levels. These findings raise concerns about the use of keto diets for managing obesity and diabetes, as the diets impair glucose regulation due to insufficient insulin secretion and increase risks related to cardiovascular and liver health. The ketogenic diet, originally developed to treat refractory epilepsy, induces ketosis by shifting the body's primary fuel source from glucose to fat, but its long-term safety for metabolic diseases remains uncertain. Researchers emphasize that despite the diet's popularity and short-term benefits, more studies are necessary to fully understand its long-term cardiometabolic effects in humans. Experts caution that the keto diet is not a magical solution and should be approached carefully, especially given evidence of worsening glucose intolerance and lipid abnormalities with prolonged use. These insights highlight the need for a balanced consideration of keto diets' benefits and risks in clinical and lifestyle contexts.