Ketogenic Therapy Protocol

A ketogenic diet is very low in carbs (under 50 g), moderate in protein and high in fat, so the body runs on ketones made from fat instead of glucose. It has been used for epilepsy since the 1920s and reduces seizures in many children with drug-resistant epilepsy. For type 2 diabetes, Virta's non-randomized study (Hallberg, Diabetes Therapy, 2018) found that 60% of people who completed one year had an A1C under 6.5% on metformin alone or no diabetes medication. The DiRECT trial (Lancet, 2018), using a low-calorie diet rather than keto, put 46% of people into remission at 12 months. Remission is more likely earlier in the disease. Carb restriction lowers glucose and insulin, and ketones curb appetite, which helps weight loss. Ketones are an alternative brain fuel, which is why keto is studied in Alzheimer's and brain injury. Research in cancer is early and mixed: anyone with cancer talks with their oncology team before trying it, and keto goes alongside treatment, never instead. Keto flu comes from water and salt loss and is managed with electrolytes. LDL-C and ApoB often rise on keto while triglycerides fall and HDL rises; if ApoB rises, shift fats toward olive oil, avocado, nuts and fish. Medication adjustment by your prescriber at the start is essential. It is a restrictive diet, but a useful therapeutic tool when it fits.