Obesity and Obesity-Related Thyroid Dysfunction: Any Potential Role for the Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD)?

• Published in: Current nutrition reports Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 194 - 213
• Main Authors: Chapela, Sebastián Pablo, Simancas-Racines, Alison, Ceriani, Florencia, Martinuzzi, Andrés Luciano Nicolas, Russo, María Paula, Zambrano, Ana Karina, Simancas-Racines, Daniel, Verde, Ludovica, Muscogiuri, Giovanna, Katsanos, Christos S., Frias-Toral, Evelyn, Barrea, Luigi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Caloric Restriction; Cardiology; Clinical Nutrition; Diabetes; Diet, Ketogenic; Epilepsy - diet therapy; Female; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Humans; Hypothyroidism - diet therapy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Obesity - diet therapy; Oncology; Review; Thyroid Gland; Thyroid Hormones - blood; Topical Collection on Diabetes and Obesity; Weight Loss; Obesity; Thyrotropin; Triiodothyronine; Very low-calorie ketogenic diet; Hypothyroidism; Thyroxine
• ISSN: 2161-3311; 2161-3311
• DOI: 10.1007/s13668-024-00528-w

Purpose of Review This review aims to explore in-depth the different aspects of the association between very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD), obesity and obesity-related thyroid dysfunction. Recent Findings The VLCKD, proposed as a non-pharmacological strategy for the management of certain chronic diseases, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Initially used to treat epilepsy, it has been shown to be effective in controlling body weight gain and addressing various pathophysiological conditions. Research has shown that a low-calorie, high-fat diet can affect thyroid hormone levels. Weight loss can also influence thyroid hormone levels. Studies have suggested that long-term use of VLCKD for refractory epilepsy may be related to the development of hypothyroidism, with an effect seen in various populations. In particular, women with obesity following VLCKD tend to have reduced T3 levels. Summary We propose further research to unravel the underlying mechanisms linking VLCKD to obesity and obesity-related thyroid dysfunction.