Clinical efficacy of eucaloric ketogenic nutrition in the COVID-19 cytokine storm: A retrospective analysis of mortality and intensive care unit admission

Abstract

Objective : Primary objective is to explore the effect of eucaloric ketogenic diet (EKD) on mortality, admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and the need for non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in hospitalized patients affected by COVID-19 in comparison to eucaloric standard diet (ESD). Secondary objectives are: the verification of safety and feasibility of the diet and its impact on inflammatory parameters, in particular interleukin-6 (IL-6). Results : The preliminary multivariate analysis shows a statistical significance in survival (P=0,046) and need for ICU (P=0,049) with EKD compared with ESD. Considering EKD start day as a "time-dependent" variable, however, the results maintain a positive trend towards the application of the diet and it is not possible to reject the null hypothesis (p <0.05). IL-6 concentrations between t 0 and t 7 (seven days after the beginning of the diet) in the ketogenic nutrition group shows a trend almost significant (P = 0.062). EKD was safe and no adverse events were observed. Conclusions : These results show a possible therapeutic role of EKD in the clinical management of COVID-19. Currently, a prospective controlled randomized trial is running out in order to confirm these preliminary data.

Metabolic Reprogramming in COVID-19

“…Through activation of protective effect of γδ T cell responses, KD restrains infection of coronavirus and influenza virus in mice [ 63 , 64 ]. Retrospective analysis has shown clinical efficacy of KD in COVID-19 cytokine storm [ 65 ]. Randomized controlled trial (NCT04492228) is in progress to confirm the preliminary data.…”

Diet and Hygiene in Modulating Autoimmunity During the Pandemic Era

“…Although it is yet to be tested whether high fat/low carbohydrate ketogenic diets are beneficial in SLE patients, a potential positive effect of ketogenic diets has been reported for some autoimmune patients with MS ( 248 ) or T1D ( 249 ). Interestingly, a ketogenic diet may also provide supportive care for COVID-19 patients ( 250 ), reducing their need for the intensive care unit ( 251 ). This again emphasizes the importance of considering the levels of all macronutrients together on immune modulation under autoimmune status and highlights the importance of personalized care plans for autoimmune individuals with COVID-19 infection.…”

Penyuluhan Pemberian Gizi Seimbang Pada Masyarakat Di Desa Tanjung Seteko Kabupaten Ogan Ilir

“…Kondisi ini menyebabkan kurangnya pengetahuan masyarakat di pedesaan terutama terkait nutrisi dan gizi yang dibutuhkan dalam asupan makanan yang dikonsumsi sehari-hari. Padahal, beberapa penelitian sebelumnya telah menunjukkan pentingnya pemahaman mengenai nutrisi dan gizi seperti untuk mencegah diabetes (Feinman et al, 2015), mencegah penyakit metabolik akibat konsumsi gula (dalam minuman ringan) berlebih (Walker et al, 2014), hingga mengetahui nutrisi yang dibutuhkan bagi orang yang terkena virus Covid-19 (Caccialanza et al, 2020;Sukkar et al, 2021;Vaillant et al, 2022). Akibatnya, masyarakat di pedesaan beresiko mengalami kekurangan gizi atau mendapatkan gizi yang tidak seimbang sehingga menyebabkan meningkatnya resiko terkena berbagai macam penyakit.…”