Very Low Calorie Ketogenic Diet A Potential Treatment For Binge Eating And Food Addiction Symptoms In Women. A Pilot Study

This small pilot study examined whether a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) could help women struggling with binge eating and food addiction symptoms. The researchers noted that many people who want to lose weight find it extremely difficult to cut back on ultra-processed, refined foods with high sugar content, leading to addictive-like eating behaviors and overeating cycles.

The study followed five women (average age 36, average BMI 31) who had been diagnosed with binge eating disorder and/or food addiction symptoms based on established psychological assessments. Participants first followed a very low-calorie ketogenic diet with adequate protein for 5-7 weeks, then transitioned to a regular low-calorie diet for an additional 11-21 weeks. The researchers tracked their eating behaviors, psychological symptoms, and body composition throughout the process.

The results were promising: all five women lost significant weight (ranging from 7.3% to 12.8% of their starting weight by the end of the study) while preserving muscle mass. More importantly, by the end of the study period, none of the participants showed signs of food addiction or binge eating symptoms that had been present at the start. This suggests that the ketogenic phase may have helped "reset" their relationship with food and break the cycle of compulsive eating.

While this was a very small study that needs larger trials for confirmation, it suggests that medically supervised ketogenic diets might offer a valuable tool for patients struggling with food addiction and binge eating as part of their weight management journey. This approach could be particularly relevant in concierge medicine settings where patients receive close monitoring and personalized nutrition guidance.