The ketogenic diet actually originated as a tool to treat neurological diseases such as epilepsy.
Studies have now shown that the diet can have benefits for a wide variety of different health conditions:
- Heart disease. The ketogenic diet may help improve risk factors such as body fat , HDL (good) cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar.
- Cancer. Diet is currently being explored as an additional treatment for cancer, as it may help slow tumor growth.
- Alzheimer's disease. The ketogenic diet may help reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and slow its progression .
- Epilepsy. Research has shown that the ketogenic diet can significantly reduce seizures in children with epilepsy.
- Parkinson's disease. Although more research is needed, one study found that the diet helped improve symptoms of Parkinson's disease .
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome . The ketogenic diet may help reduce insulin levels, which may play a key role in polycystic ovary syndrome .
- Brain Injuries. Some research suggests that diet may improve outcomes after traumatic brain injuries .
However, keep in mind that research in many of these areas is far from conclusive.
