In a surprising new study of the keto diet, researchers found that it may not help both males and females lose weight.
Males vs. females on the keto diet
Two researchers fed male and female mice either a standard diet or the keto diet. The keto diet, which is short for “ketogenic,” is a high-fat, low carb eating regimen. In this case, it was 75% fat, 8% protein by mass and 3% carbohydrates. The control diet was 7% fat, 19% protein and 47% carbs.
At the end of 15 weeks, the scientists discovered that the female mice on the keto diet had gained weight, while the male mice had maintained blood glucose control and lost weight.
In addition, the female mice on the keto diet had worse blood sugar control than the female mice on the standard diet.
Why the differences?
The researchers theorize that the female sex hormone estrogen may be behind the different responses for males and females on the keto diet. To test their theory, the scientists removed the ovaries of some of the female mice and fed them the keto diet. Sure enough, the female mice with no ovaries who consumed a ketogenic diet lost body fat and maintained blood glucose control.
“This finding suggests that postmenopausal women could potentially experience better weight loss outcomes with the ketogenic diet compared to younger women,” explains the research assistant, Jesse Cochran.
To be clear, the researchers point out that more research needs to be done with human consuming the ketogenic diet before any solid conclusions on sex differences can be established. In the meantime, if you’re thinking about starting the keto diet, you should consult with your doctor.
The study was led by Dr. E. Dale Abel, Ph.D., a chair of the University of Iowa Department of Internal Medicine.
