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Ketogenic Diet: from the Historical Records to Use in Elite Athletes

  • Gastroenterology, Critical Care, and Lifestyle Medicine (SA McClave, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To review the available literature/evidence on low carbohydrate/high fat (LCHF) and low carbohydrate ketogenic (LCKD) diets’ effects on human athletic performance and to provide a brief review of the physiology and history of energy systems of exercise.

Recent Findings

Multiple studies have been conducted in an attempt to answer this question, many within the last 3–5 years. Studies are heterogenous in design, intervention, and outcome measures.

Summary

Current available data show that LCHF and LCKD do not significantly enhance or impair performance in endurance or strength activities. However, there is a trend towards improved body composition (greater percent lean body mass) across multiple studies. While this may not translate to enhanced performance in the primarily laboratory conditions in the reviewed studies, there could be a benefit in sports in which an athlete’s strength-to-weight ratio is a significant determinant of outcome.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1200 East Broad Street, P.O. Box 980509, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA

    Matthew B. Kaspar

  2. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA

    Kerstin Austin

  3. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA

    Martin Huecker

  4. Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, NorthShore University Health System, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA

    Menaka Sarav

Authors
  1. Matthew B. Kaspar
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  2. Kerstin Austin
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  4. Menaka Sarav
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Correspondence to Matthew B. Kaspar.

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Conflict of Interest

Matthew B. Kaspar, Kerstin Austin, Martin Huecker, and Menaka Sarav declare they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Kaspar, M.B., Austin, K., Huecker, M. et al. Ketogenic Diet: from the Historical Records to Use in Elite Athletes. Curr Nutr Rep 8, 340–346 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-019-00294-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-019-00294-0

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