Study: Ketogenic diet has potential to treat irritable bowel syndrome

Professional personal trainer Josh Nock suffered for years from nausea, cramping, and abnormal bowel movements caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but his symptoms were not relieved even with the medications recommended by his doctor or a high-fiber diet.

At a health seminar, Mr. Nock learned that a ketogenic diet might help improve these gut symptoms. Desperate, he decided to take part in a 30-day ketogenic diet challenge in January.

Mr. Nock told The Epoch Times that the first two weeks were so tough that he almost gave up. But he persevered and got through a period of symptoms known as the “keto flu,” which included headaches, nausea, fatigue and constipation. Eventually, the irritable bowel syndrome stopped bothering him, and he reaped other additional health benefits.

“The main thing is that I don’t have to go to the toilet as often as before and I don’t feel bloated anymore,” Mr Nock said. “I originally planned to only do it for a month, but I kept going because it felt so good.”

Tamzyn Murphy, a registered dietitian and senior editorial manager at Nutrition Network, explains that the ketogenic diet is widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties, similar to other carbohydrate-restricted diets. Ketogenic diets are intentionally high in fat and sometimes protein, with the goal of shifting the body’s metabolic state from burning carbohydrates to burning fat for energy.

Many diets for gut issues also emphasize low carbs, such as the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and the Low FODMAP Diet. FODMAP refers to indigestible carbohydrates, which include fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and alcohols. The ketogenic diet restricts total carbohydrate intake, so it would logically have similar benefits, Ms. Murphy told The Epoch Times.

“The ketogenic diet is by definition just like any other diet that works,” Ms Murphy said. “I think it makes sense that we need to do more research on this topic.”

Definition of Ketogenic Diet

A 2021 review paper discussing the human microbiome noted that the research on the ketogenic diet is not only insufficient but also sometimes flawed. The authors noted that there is evidence that if done properly, the ketogenic diet may be a health and healing alternative that can replace a diet rich in plants to heal gut problems.