When people with excess body fat eat very few carbs and more fats, their blood ketone levels rise quickly within two weeks, showing their body has switched to burning fat for fuel.
Scientific Claim
Very low-carbohydrate high-fat diets significantly increase blood ketone levels (β-hydroxybutyrate) in overfat adults within 2 weeks of intervention, indicating nutritional ketosis.
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The study directly measured βHB levels in response to the intervention, showing clear increases in the VLCHF groups. This is a descriptive finding that accurately reflects the data without causal implications.
Source Excerpt
“The β-hydroxybutyrate concentration (βHB) increased substantially in the VLCHF and VLCHF+HIIT groups. The highest βHB concentrations were achieved after 2 weeks of VLCHF diet intervention.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting Evidence (1)
The study measured βHB levels in VLCHF and VLCHF+HIIT groups, showing substantial increases compared to HIIT and control groups. The measurement was done using capillary blood samples with a reliable device (FreeStyle Optium Neo), and the increase was consistent with the dietary intervention.