Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health Keto Diet Risks Are Varied, Multiple Studies Show
Dec 25, 2025
The ketogenic diet offers rapid weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity, but these benefits typically plateau after six months. Long-term adherence may increase LDL cholesterol and raise cardiovascular risks. Restricting carbohydrates can lead to micronutrient deficiencies and negatively affect gut health. There's a documented risk of kidney stones and potential thyroid dysfunction with extended use. Experts recommend keto as a short-term strategy, emphasizing a gradual transition back to healthy carbohydrates for lasting health.
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Keto's Early Effects Then Plateau
- Keto delivers rapid early improvements in weight, fasting glucose, and HOMA-IR within the first months.
- Those benefits typically plateau around 6–12 months rather than continuing to improve.
Keto Can Raise LDL In Some People
- Long-term ketogenic or very low-carb high-fat diets can raise LDL cholesterol for some people.
- Rapid weight loss may mobilize cholesterol and worsen lipid profiles in susceptible individuals.
Gut Microbiome Shifts On Keto
- Ketogenic diets reproducibly reduce gut microbiome diversity and lower Bifidobacterium counts.
- Some observed shifts (e.g., Fusobacteria increases) have been linked to colorectal cancer risk in other studies.