It is now well-established in the medical literature that medical ketogenic diets can be powerful treatments for chronic conditions like epilepsy, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and obesity. As ketogenic therapy is being researched as a novel treatment for a number of other diseases that may be rooted in metabolic dysfunction – such as serious mental illness – it has become increasingly important to study and examine whether such therapy comes with serious risks. Many physicians and media outlets have raised concerns that ketogenic diets – which are high in fat – could be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications like heart attack and stroke. This activity will explore the scientific and clinical evidence addressing these concerns, taking care to point out where the evidence is strong and where it is weak.
Target Audience
This activity is designed for primary care and psychiatric physicians, cardiologists, endocrinologists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants as well as licensed mental health therapists and dieticians. All levels of experience are welcome.
Learning Objectives
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:
- Recognize that ketogenic metabolic therapy is different from simply “eating keto.”
- Explain how ketogenic therapy improves metabolic health, improving the vast majority of measurable cardiovascular risk factors.
- Describe the scientific and clinical evidence demonstrating the ways in which the cardiovascular risks of eating low carb/high fat are often misrepresented and incorrectly portrayed in the scientific and press.
- Recognize that data suggests concerns about elevated LDL-cholesterol and ketogenic therapy are relevant only to a minority of individuals.
- Incorporate acquired knowledge on the latest findings on ketogenic therapy for serious mental illness into current practice to better address the needs of their patients, and to optimize patient outcomes.
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Bret Scher, MD Cardiologist Medical Director Baszucki Group & Metabolic Mind |
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Matthew Budoff, MD Investigator The Lindquist Institute Professor of Medicine avid Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Program Director & Director of Cardiac CT ivision of Cardiology Harbor-UCLA Medical Center |
European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME)
EACCME Accreditation Statement
EACCME accreditation is pending.
EACCME Term Offering
Pending.
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
AAFP Accreditation Statement
The AAFP has reviewed Cardiovascular Safety Of Ketogenic Therapy and deemed it acceptable for up to 1.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credit(s). Term of Approval is from 03/18/2025 to 03/18/2026. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Educational Grant
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Metabolic Mind which is a non-profit organization.
References
Cardiovascular safety of Ketogenic Therapy
