Evidence mapPaperPMID 41010495Full record

ReviewNutrients2025

The Ketogenic Diet Through a Metabolomic Lens: Biochemical Pathways, Therapeutic Applications, and Analytical Challenges.

Katarzyna Idzikowska, Paulina Gątarek, Anna Gajda, Piotr Safiński, Lukasz Przyslo, Joanna Kałużna-Czaplińska

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Nutrients, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Katarzyna IdzikowskaInstitute of General and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, 116 Zeromskiego Street, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.
Paulina GątarekInstitute of General and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, 116 Zeromskiego Street, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.ORCID 0009-0006-3825-522X
Anna GajdaInstitute of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, 116 Zeromskiego Street, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.ORCID 0000-0003-1786-0691
Piotr SafińskiDepartment of Developmental Neurology and Epileptology, Research Institute of Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital, 93-338 Lodz, Poland.
Lukasz PrzysloDepartment of Developmental Neurology and Epileptology, Research Institute of Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital, 93-338 Lodz, Poland.ORCID 0000-0003-0209-4103
Joanna Kałużna-CzaplińskaInstitute of General and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, 116 Zeromskiego Street, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.ORCID 0000-0002-5106-4667

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat and low-carbohydrate dietary approach, has been used therapeutically in drug-resistant epilepsy and other neurological and metabolic disorders. Recent interest has shifted toward understanding its broader metabolic effects through metabolomics. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the biochemical mechanisms and therapeutic implications of the KD, with a particular focus on metabolomic profiling and neurological health.

methodsThis narrative review synthesizes findings from the last five years of metabolomic studies investigating the biochemical consequences of the KD and its variants, including the classical KD, modified Atkins diet (MAD), medium-chain triglyceride diet (MCT), and low glycemic index treatment (LGIT). The review integrates data on analytical techniques, such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and evaluates alterations in key metabolic pathways.

resultsThe KD significantly modulates energy metabolism, shifting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation and ketone body utilization. It affects mitochondrial function, one-carbon metabolism, redox balance, neurotransmitter regulation, and gut-brain axis signaling. Metabolomic profiling has identified β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) as a key regulatory metabolite influencing mitochondrial respiration. Long-term KD use may impact renal and hepatic function, necessitating clinical caution and individualized nutritional monitoring.

conclusionsMetabolomic analysis provides critical insights into the multifaceted effects of the KD, supporting its role as a targeted metabolic therapy in neurological diseases. However, potential risks linked to prolonged ketosis warrant further investigation. Future studies should focus on personalized applications and long-term safety profiles of KD variants across patient populations.

Indexed as

Diet, KetogenicMetabolomicsEnergy MetabolismHumansKetone BodiesMetabolic Networks and PathwaysKetone Bodieschromatography–mass spectrometry techniquesdietary interventionsmetabolic disordersneurological disorders

Identifiers

PMID41010495
PMCPMC12472664

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.