[Chapters from alcohology].

Abstract

The ketogenic diet, which was introduced in the first half of the last century for the treatment of epilepsy patients who cannot be treated in other ways, seems to play a role in the treatment of people with weight problems or other diseases as well. More recently, the need for the use of ketogenic diet in the treatment of certain syndromes of alcohol addicts, especially alcohol withdrawal, has raised. One theory explaining the mode of action of ketogenic diet is the so-called ketogenic paradigm. Its mechanism of action is the influence of acetone and its metabolites on K+ channels in addition to the GABA-mimetic effect of β-hydroxy-butyric acid and its stimulating effect on GABA synthesis. Clinically, ketogenic diet is usually associated with mild, short-term side effects, while we are short of data regarding its long-term adverse effects. Despite the uncertainties, ketogenic diet may have a place in the future treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(50): 1969–1974.