The Ketogenic Diet and Stroke

The ketogenic diet is a dietary intervention that has been around for over a century, dating back to the nineteenth century. It was initially developed to treat refractory epilepsy, but has since evolved into a popular dietary plan with modifications that improve palatability and adherence for patients with chronic diseases or those seeking to manage their weight and allow for individualised patient goals. The keto diet has gained widespread use and acceptance, and it is now one of the most researched dietary plans online, recognising over the years the role of the diet in various disease conditions. Recent studies have demonstrated the clinical benefits of the diet in metabolic disorders associated with obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides levels, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, which are all confounding risk factors for stroke. A stroke, also known as a brain attack, is a life-threatening emergency and the primary cause of long-term neurological disability in adults globally. The modifiable risk factors are crucial in predicting the risk and development of stroke; hence, early detection and implementation of strategies that limit these factors can significantly reduce stroke incidence, morbidity, mortality rates, and quality of life, with several studies recently recognising the diet’s ability to indirectly prevent and aid in stroke recovery by managing these modifiable risk factors. However, clinical trials are needed to understand the mechanism of action, determine the best time to initiate the diet and develop a step-by-step dietary intervention plan to implement the keto diet effectively.