Impact of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet on metabolic and microbiota outcomes in post-bariatric patients and bariatric-Naïve individuals: A comparative pilot study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) in post-bariatric surgery patients with weight regain versus bariatric surgery-naïve patients.
Results Summary
Both groups achieved significant weight loss, with the post-bariatric group showing slightly less metabolic improvement. The VLCKD also led to significant changes in gut microbiota composition, with more pronounced effects in the surgery-naïve group. Mild renal function changes were noted in post-bariatric patients but remained within acceptable ranges.
Population
Post-bariatric surgery patients with weight regain (BS+) and bariatric surgery-naïve patients (BS-).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
8 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) | decrease | weight loss | patients with weight regain post-bariatric surgery (BS+) | -6.9% | achieved significant weight loss | #1 |
very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) | decrease | weight loss | bariatric surgery-naïve patients (BS-) | -8.3% | achieved significant weight loss | #2 |
very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) | increase | metabolic improvement | patients with weight regain post-bariatric surgery (BS+) | slightly less | showed slightly less metabolic improvement | #3 |
very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) | decrease | insulin resistance | patients with weight regain post-bariatric surgery (BS+) | slightly less | showed slightly less metabolic improvement | #4 |
very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) | decrease | triglycerides | patients with weight regain post-bariatric surgery (BS+) | slightly less | showed slightly less metabolic improvement | #5 |
very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) | change | gut microbiota (GM) composition | patients with weight regain post-bariatric surgery (BS+) | significant changes | led to significant changes | #6 |
very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) | change | gut microbiota (GM) composition | bariatric surgery-naïve patients (BS-) | significant changes | led to significant changes | #7 |
very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) | increase | microbial diversity | bariatric surgery-naïve patients (BS-) | more pronounced | were more pronounced | #8 |
very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) | change | specific taxonomic shifts | bariatric surgery-naïve patients (BS-) | more pronounced | were more pronounced | #9 |
very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) | change | mild renal function changes | patients with weight regain post-bariatric surgery (BS+) | mild | were noted | #10 |
AIMS: To date, bariatric surgery (BS) is the most effective long-term treatment for obesity, but weight regain (WR) is common. The very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) is effective for weight loss and may influence gut microbiota (GM) composition, but it has been scarcely evaluated in post-bariatric patients. This study compared the efficacy and safety of a VLCKD in patients with WR post-bariatric surgery (BS+) and in bariatric surgery-naïve patients (BS-). METHODS: In this prospective, case-control study, 33 patients (15 BS+, 18 BS-) underwent an 8-week-long VLCKD. Outcomes included weight loss, metabolic profile, safety and GM composition. RESULTS: Both groups achieved significant weight loss (BS+: -6.9%, BS-: -8.3%), but the BS+ group showed slightly less metabolic improvement, particularly in insulin resistance and triglycerides. GM composition differed at baseline, reflecting the lasting effects of BS, and VLCKD led to significant changes in both groups. Microbial diversity and specific taxonomic shifts were more pronounced in BS- patients. Mild renal function changes were noted in BS+ patients, though these remained within clinically acceptable ranges. CONCLUSION: VLCKD is effective in both BS+ and BS- patients, though metabolic and microbial responses may be less robust post-surgery, possibly due to anatomical and physiological changes. Tailored approaches may be therefore needed to optimize outcomes in post-bariatric patients.