Do ketogenic diets really suppress appetite? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Summary: Very-low-energy diets (VLEDs) and ketogenic low-carbohydrate diets (KLCDs) are two dietary strategies that have been associated with a suppression of appetite. However, the results of clinical trials investigating the effect of ketogenic diets on appetite are inconsistent. To evaluate quant...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gibson, A., Seimon, R., Lee, Crystal, Ayre, J., Franklin, J., Markovic, T., Caterson, I., Sainsbury, A.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 2015
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/31567
_version_ 1848753416150450176
author Gibson, A.
Seimon, R.
Lee, Crystal
Ayre, J.
Franklin, J.
Markovic, T.
Caterson, I.
Sainsbury, A.
author_facet Gibson, A.
Seimon, R.
Lee, Crystal
Ayre, J.
Franklin, J.
Markovic, T.
Caterson, I.
Sainsbury, A.
author_sort Gibson, A.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Summary: Very-low-energy diets (VLEDs) and ketogenic low-carbohydrate diets (KLCDs) are two dietary strategies that have been associated with a suppression of appetite. However, the results of clinical trials investigating the effect of ketogenic diets on appetite are inconsistent. To evaluate quantitatively the effect of ketogenic diets on subjective appetite ratings, we conducted a systematic literature search and meta-analysis of studies that assessed appetite with visual analogue scales before (in energy balance) and during (while in ketosis) adherence to VLED or KLCD. Individuals were less hungry and exhibited greater fullness/satiety while adhering to VLED, and individuals adhering to KLCD were less hungry and had a reduced desire to eat. Although these absolute changes in appetite were small, they occurred within the context of energy restriction, which is known to increase appetite in obese people. Thus, the clinical benefit of a ketogenic diet is in preventing an increase in appetite, despite weight loss, although individuals may indeed feel slightly less hungry (or more full or satisfied). Ketosis appears to provide a plausible explanation for this suppression of appetite. Future studies should investigate the minimum level of ketosis required to achieve appetite suppression during ketogenic weight loss diets, as this could enable inclusion of a greater variety of healthy carbohydrate-containing foods into the diet.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T08:24:10Z
format Journal Article
id curtin-20.500.11937-31567
institution Curtin University Malaysia
institution_category Local University
last_indexed 2025-11-14T08:24:10Z
publishDate 2015
publisher Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling curtin-20.500.11937-315672018-03-29T09:09:14Z Do ketogenic diets really suppress appetite? A systematic review and meta-analysis Gibson, A. Seimon, R. Lee, Crystal Ayre, J. Franklin, J. Markovic, T. Caterson, I. Sainsbury, A. Summary: Very-low-energy diets (VLEDs) and ketogenic low-carbohydrate diets (KLCDs) are two dietary strategies that have been associated with a suppression of appetite. However, the results of clinical trials investigating the effect of ketogenic diets on appetite are inconsistent. To evaluate quantitatively the effect of ketogenic diets on subjective appetite ratings, we conducted a systematic literature search and meta-analysis of studies that assessed appetite with visual analogue scales before (in energy balance) and during (while in ketosis) adherence to VLED or KLCD. Individuals were less hungry and exhibited greater fullness/satiety while adhering to VLED, and individuals adhering to KLCD were less hungry and had a reduced desire to eat. Although these absolute changes in appetite were small, they occurred within the context of energy restriction, which is known to increase appetite in obese people. Thus, the clinical benefit of a ketogenic diet is in preventing an increase in appetite, despite weight loss, although individuals may indeed feel slightly less hungry (or more full or satisfied). Ketosis appears to provide a plausible explanation for this suppression of appetite. Future studies should investigate the minimum level of ketosis required to achieve appetite suppression during ketogenic weight loss diets, as this could enable inclusion of a greater variety of healthy carbohydrate-containing foods into the diet. 2015 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/31567 10.1111/obr.12230 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. restricted
spellingShingle Gibson, A.
Seimon, R.
Lee, Crystal
Ayre, J.
Franklin, J.
Markovic, T.
Caterson, I.
Sainsbury, A.
Do ketogenic diets really suppress appetite? A systematic review and meta-analysis
title Do ketogenic diets really suppress appetite? A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Do ketogenic diets really suppress appetite? A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Do ketogenic diets really suppress appetite? A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Do ketogenic diets really suppress appetite? A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Do ketogenic diets really suppress appetite? A systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort do ketogenic diets really suppress appetite? a systematic review and meta-analysis
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/31567