How Does Keto Diet Affect Thyroid Function: A Clinical Trial Investigates

Weight loss is a complicated subject with many new theories and techniques arising every day. Scientists have researched extensively on this topic and the complex medical jargon can get overwhelming for a layman reader.

The ketogenic diet has been gaining popularity in recent years as a weight loss method. It involves consuming high amounts of fat, moderate amounts of protein, and very low amounts of carbohydrates. The idea behind this diet is to induce a metabolic state called ketosis, in which the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. The ketogenic diet (KD) has been shown to result in body mass loss in people with disease as well as healthy people, yet the effect of the KD on thyroid function is unknown.

Clinical Trial

A clinical trial, published in the journal PLoS One, sought to investigate whether the ketogenic diet could induce a shift in thyroid function and provide a metabolic advantage for healthy participants.

The researchers aimed to determine the effects of a KD, compared with an isocaloric high-carbohydrate low-fat (HCLF) diet, on resting metabolic rate and thyroid function in healthy individuals.

For a minimum of three weeks on each, participants followed two isocaloric diets: an HCLF diet (55% carbohydrate, 20% fat, 25% protein) and a KD (15% carbohydrate, 60% fat, 25% protein), with a one-week washout period in-between. So all participants had followed both dietary plans one after the other by the end of the study.

The results of the clinical study showed that both dietary interventions resulted in significant body mass loss however three weeks of sustained ketosis (KD) resulted in a greater loss of body mass than did three weeks on the HCLF diet.

Additionally, the ketogenic diet did indeed induce a shift in thyroid function, as evidenced by changes in thyroid hormone levels. Specifically, the participants on the ketogenic diet had lower levels of triiodothyronine and higher levels of thyroxine compared to those on the HCLF diet.

These findings suggest that the ketogenic diet may have some potential benefits for weight loss and thyroid function. 

Conclusion

The clinical trial suggests that the ketogenic diet could induce a shift in thyroid function and provide a metabolic advantage for healthy participants aiming for weight loss. However, further research is needed on this topic to confirm these findings and to determine the long-term effects of the ketogenic diet on overall health. If you're considering trying the ketogenic diet, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if it's right for you and to monitor your health closely.
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