Starvation Ketoacidosis Due to the Ketogenic Diet and Prolonged Fasting - A Possibly Dangerous Diet trend

Authors

Joanna C. Blanco, New York Medical College
Akshay Khatri, New York Medical College
Alina Kifayat, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Ronald Cho, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Wilbert S. Aronow, New York Medical CollegeFollow

DOI

10.12659/AJCR.917226

Journal Title

The American Journal of Case Reports

First Page

1728

Last Page

1731

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

November 2019

Department

Medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND The low-carbohydrate, high-fat ketogenic diet has been popularized in the press recently, touting multiple health benefits such as weight loss and increased energy. In this diet, participants intentionally push themselves into a state of ketosis and usually do not develop metabolic complications or illness unless put under certain circumstances such as stress and prolonged fasting. CASE REPORT We report a case of starvation ketoacidosis in a 60-year-old male with well-controlled diabetes mellitus type II following a strict ketogenic diet who then underwent prolonged fasting. CONCLUSIONS Although the ketogenic diet with or without periods of fasting might yield short-term weight loss, it has potentially dangerous side effects, including ketoacidosis. It is recommended that people, especially those with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus type II, consult their physicians before initiating this diet. Clinicians must keep a broad differential when evaluating acute metabolic acidosis.

Recommended Citation

Blanco, J., Khatri, A., Kifayat, A., Cho, R., & Aronow, W. (2019). Starvation Ketoacidosis Due to the Ketogenic Diet and Prolonged Fasting - A Possibly Dangerous Diet trend. The American Journal of Case Reports, 20, 1728-1731. https://doi.org/10.12659/AJCR.917226