Context: Ketogenic diets (KDs) and low-fat diets (LFD) result in similar weight loss, but have differential cardiometabolic effects on lipids and insulin. Generally, weight loss decreases renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activity.
Objective: Investigate the effects of KDs with varying sodium content vs LFD on RAAS in overweight and obese adults.
Methods: Twenty-eight participants were randomized 1:1 to a KD + ketone salt supplement (KD + KS) or a KD + placebo (KD + PL) arm with prepared hypocaloric meals. Twelve participants were enrolled in a post hoc LFD arm. Serum renin, aldosterone, and anthropometric and metabolic biomarkers were assessed at 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Linear mixed models with random intercepts were used to compare between group differences controlling for sex and body mass index.
Results: Participants had a median age of 33 years, 51% female, weighed 91.3 kg, with body mass index 30.6 kg/m2. At 6 weeks, weight decreased by 6, 8, and 7 kg on average in the KD + KS, KD + PL, and LFD groups, respectively (P < .05). Aldosterone increased by 88% and 144% in the KD + PL and KD + KS groups, respectively, but did not change in the LFD after 6 weeks while renin decreased across groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not change in the KD + PL and KD + KS groups. Log ketones were positively associated with aldosterone (P < .001). Aldosterone was not associated with cardiovascular measures including blood pressure and ejection fraction (P > .05).
Conclusion: KD reduced weight and increased aldosterone without worsening cardiometabolic risk factors. Future KD studies are needed to elucidate mechanistic connections between ketones and aldosterone.
Keywords: adiposity; aldosterone; ketogenic diet; ketones; renin.
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