Mecanismos de ação da dieta cetogênica na perda de peso em indivíduos com excesso de peso: uma revisão integrativa.

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity has increased significantly in recent years, representing a serious public health issue. The ketogenic diet has been proposed as an effective strategy to induce ketosis, a metabolic state in which the body uses ketone bodies as an energy source, promoting weight loss and improving glycemic and insulin control. Objective: Describe the mechanisms of action of the ketogenic diet in weight loss among overweight and obese individuals, evaluating its effectiveness in hormonal control and weight reduction. Materials and methods: This is an integrative review with articles published in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and Willey Library databases, using the descriptors "obesity AND keto diet AND appetite" and "obesity AND weight loss AND keto diet." Original articles in Portuguese and English, focusing on humans, were included. Results: Among the studies collected between 2008 and 2024, the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in obese and overweight adults and elderly individuals was analyzed, along with hormonal changes favorable to weight loss. Discussion: In the majority of studies, participants demonstrated reduced appetite and increased satiety when following the diet, aiding in the weight loss process. Conclusion: The effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in short-term applications is notable, bringing physiological and hormonal improvements. However, the need for further studies on safe long-term applications remains open, as improper and unstructured use may lead to potential harms.