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BackgroundWe have previously reported that in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) consumption of a very low carbohydrate diet capable of inducing nutritional ketosis over 2 years (continuous care intervention, CCI) resulted in improved body weight, glycemic control, and multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) with the exception of an increase in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). In the present study, we report the impact of this intervention on markers of risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), with a focus on lipoprotein subfraction particle concentrations as well as carotid-artery intima-media thickness (CIMT).MethodsAnalyses were performed in patients with T2D who completed 2 years of this study (CCI; n = 194; usual care (UC): n = 68). Lipoprotein subfraction particle concentrations were measured by ion mobility at baseline, 1, and 2 years and CIMT was measured at baseline and 2 years. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess changes in independent clusters of lipoprotein particles.ResultsAt 2 years, CCI resulted in a 23% decrease of small LDL IIIb and a 29% increase of large LDL I with no change in total LDL particle concentration or ApoB. The change in proportion of smaller and larger LDL was reflected by reversal of the small LDL subclass phenotype B in a high proportion of CCI participants (48.1%) and a shift in the principal component (PC) representing the atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype characteristic of T2D from a major to a secondary component of the total variance. The increase in LDL-C in the CCI group was mainly attributed to larger cholesterol-enriched LDL particles. CIMT showed no change in either the CCI or UC group.ConclusionConsumption of a very low carbohydrate diet with nutritional ketosis for 2 years in patients with type 2 diabetes lowered levels of small LDL particles that are commonly increased in diabetic dyslipidemia and are a marker for heightened CVD risk. A corresponding increase in concentrations of larger LDL particles was responsible for higher levels of plasma LDL-C. The lack of increase in total LDL particles, ApoB, and in progression of CIMT, provide supporting evidence that this dietary intervention did not adversely affect risk of CVD.

Depressive symptoms are prevalent among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and, even at low severity levels, are associated with worse diabetes outcomes. Carbohydrate restriction is an effective treatment for T2D but its long-term impacts on depressive symptoms are unclear. In the current study we explored changes in depressive symptoms over 2 years among 262 primarily non-depressed T2D patients participating in a continuous remote care intervention emphasizing carbohydrate restriction. Subclinical depressive symptoms decreased over the first 10 weeks and reductions were maintained out to 2 years. Increased frequency of blood ketone levels indicative of adherence to low carbohydrate eating predicted decreases in depressive symptoms. Concerns have been raised with recommending restrictive diets due to potential negative impacts on quality-of-life factors such as mood; however, results of the current study support positive rather than negative long-term impacts of closely monitored carbohydrate restriction on depressive symptoms., Author(s): Rebecca N. Adams [sup.1] , Shaminie J. Athinarayanan [sup.1] , Amy L. McKenzie [sup.1] , Sarah J. Hallberg [sup.1] [sup.2] , James P. McCarter [sup.3] [sup.4] , Stephen D. [...]

Background: We recently reported 55% of the patients reversed type 2 diabetes in the continuous care intervention (CCI) while 18% of the patients achieved remission at 2 years. In this post hoc analysis, factors identified in previous studies as predictors of diabetes reversal and remission were examined. Methods: Baseline factors including diabetes duration, HbA1c, fasting glucose and a composite index (HbA1c, fasting insulin and ALT1) were examined as potential predictors of T2D reversal and remission in the CCI group along with percentage weight loss over the study period. Spearman correlation was used to assess relationships between predictors and 2 years reversal and remission. Factors with significant correlation were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: Diabetes duration, baseline HbA1c, fasting glucose and the composite index were significantly correlated with diabetes reversal and remission (Table 1). Logistic regression analyses showed that diabetes duration (OR=1.2, p=7.0x10-6) and baseline HbA1c (OR=1.5, p=0.003) were associated with diabetes reversal at 2 years whereas weight loss percentage during the study period was not. Conclusion: Shorter diabetes duration and lower baseline HbA1c are two factors strongly related to achieving diabetes reversal and remission in CCI participants at 2 years. Disclosure: S.J. Athinarayanan: Employee; Self; Virta Health Corp. A. McKenzie: Employee; Self; Virta Health Corp. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Virta Health Corp. R.N. Adams: Employee; Self; Virta Health Corp. S. Hallberg: Advisory Panel; Self; Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. Employee; Self; Virta Health Corp. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Virta Health Corp. J.P. McCarter: Employee; Self; Virta Health Corp. S. Phinney: Advisory Panel; Self; Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. Board Member; Self; Virta Health Corp. Employee; Self; Virta Health Corp. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Virta Health Corp. Other Relationship; Self; Beyond Obesity. Funding: Virta Health Corp [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ketogenic diets have been widely used for weight loss and are increasingly used in the management of type 2 diabetes. Despite evidence that ketones have multiple positive effects on kidney function, common misconceptions about ketogenic diets, such as high protein content and acid load, have prevented their widespread use in individuals with impaired kidney function. Clinical trial evidence focusing on major adverse kidney events is sparse. The aim of this review is to explore the effects of a ketogenic diet, with an emphasis on the pleiotropic actions of ketones, on kidney health. Given the minimal concerns in relation to the potential renoprotective effects of a ketogenic diet, future studies should evaluate the safety and efficacy of ketogenic interventions in kidney disease., Competing Interests: Competing interests: TW is an inventor on issued and pending patents filed by the University of California, Santa Barbara related to the topic of this article. TW is a founder and shareholder of Santa Barbara Nutrients, Inc., holds a managerial position, and has contributed to the development of the Ren.Nu ketogenic dietary program and the medical food KetoCitra. TW received speaker fees from Otsuka, was a scientific advisor of Chinook Therapeutics, and received research funding from Chinook Therapeutics. JSV is a cofounder and shareholder of Virta Health, serves as a science advisor for Simply Good Foods and Nutrishus Brands, and has authored books on ketogenic diets. SJA, CGPR, and GKS are employees and shareholders of Virta Health. ALM is a shareholder of Virta Health., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)