Nutrient-dense ketogenic diet improves menstrual health in obese pre-menopausal women, reports study
A new study revealed that weight loss through dietary changes can lead to positive physiological shifts in women, particularly regarding menstrual health. The research published in PLOS ONE journal compared a ketogenic diet (KD) to a low-fat diet (LFD), highlights unique benefits of ketosis on self-reported menstrual cycles in overweight and obese pre-menopausal women.
This 6-week study focused on 19 women aged 34 (±10 years) with an average BMI of 32.3 (±2.7 kg/m²). The participants were divided into 3 groups where one followed a well-formulated KD (~75% of energy intake from fat), one more supplemented either with ketone salts (KS) or a placebo (PL) and the other group followed an isocaloric, low-fat diet. All meals were precisely prepared to ensure consistency across participants. Self-reported changes in menstruation, along with body weight, composition, and blood markers, were monitored bi-weekly.
Both diets led to significant weight loss, with an average decrease of 7 kg (15.4 lbs), primarily from fat mass (-4.6 kg; ~10 lbs). The participants in both groups also saw improvements in insulin sensitivity and serum lipids, key markers of metabolic health. The fasting blood glucose and inflammatory markers did not differ significantly between the groups. However, the participants on the KD experienced a notable rise in fasting beta-hydroxybutyrate levels (a marker of ketosis), regardless of supplementation.
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