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Background: many patients who struggle to lose weight are unable to cut down certain ultra-processed, refined types of food with a high glycemic index. This condition is linked to responses similar to addiction that lead to overeating. A very-low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) with adequate protein intake could be considered a valid dietary approach. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of a VLCKD in women with binge eating and/or food addiction symptoms. Methods: subjects diagnosed with binge eating and/or food addiction symptoms (measured with the Binge Eating Scale and the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0) were asked to follow a VLCKD with protein replacement for 5–7 weeks (T1) and a low-calorie diet for 11–21 weeks (T2). Self-reported food addiction and binge eating symptoms and body composition were tested at T0 (baseline) and at the end of each diet (T1 and T2 respectively); Results: five women were included in the study. Mean age was 36.4 years (SEM = 4.95) and mean BMI was 31.16 (SEM = 0.91). At T0, two cases of severe food addiction, one case of mild food addiction, one case of binge eating with severe food addiction, and one case of binge eating were recorded. Weight loss was recorded at both T1 and T2 (ranging from 4.8% to 11.6% of the initial body weight at T1 and from 7.3% to 12.8% at T2). No case of food addiction and/or binge eating symptoms was recorded at T2. Muscle mass was preserved. Conclusions: recent findings have highlighted the potential therapeutic role of ketogenic diets for the treatment of addiction to high-calorie, ultra-processed and high-glycemic food. Our pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of a ketogenic diet in women with addictive-like eating disorders seeking to lose weight.

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Physical activity is widely recognized to improve health and its inclusion in daily life at all ages is highly recommended. Gonadal hormones are known to be affected by physical activity. The exercise-induced effects on male runners of different ages were investigated by dividing 31 runners by age (Young, Y, 30–55 years; Old, O, 56–70 years) and amount of training (Light, L, <50 km/week; Heavy, H, 50 or more km/week). To test the somatic, sexual, and psychological health aspects, the Aging Male's Symptoms Scale (AMS) and the International Index of Erectile Function-6 (IIEF-6) questionnaires were administered and blood samples were drawn for adrenocorticotropic hormone, testosterone (Total-TT), free testosterone (Free-T), cortisol (C), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol, and sex hormone-binding globulin determinations. Clinical evaluations and questionnaire results showed the presence in all groups of some subclinical symptoms and “Light” dysfunctions. TT in the old-heavy (OH) group was significantly lower than in the OL group (2.38 ± 0.18 ng/mL vs. 3.36 ± 0.44 ng/ml, P = 0.05). The TT/DHT ratio was significantly higher in YH than in OH (3.64 ± 0.16 vs. 2.92 ± 0.23, P < 0.05). TT was positively correlated with AMS sexual subscale and negatively correlated with IIEF-6. Physical activity can significantly affect andrological health and testosterone levels in runners at all ages. Thus, due to the important testosterone-mediated vital functions in men, the evaluation of these parameters would be indicated in old as well as in young subjects.