The Impact of a Short-Term Ketogenic Low-Carbohydrate High-Fat Diet on Biomarkers of Intestinal Epithelial Integrity and Gastrointestinal Symptoms

A short-term low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet resulted in a twofold increase in intestinal fatty acid-binding protein concentration during exercise compared to a baseline diet.

• Intestinal epithelial disruption markers, such as fatty acid-binding protein, soluble CD14, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, were significantly elevated during exercise in the low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet group.
• A 53% increase in soluble CD14 and a 36% increase in lipopolysaccharide-binding protein concentrations were observed in the low-carbohydrate, high-fat group during adaptation.
• No significant differences in markers of intestinal injury were found in the high carbohydrate/energy diet or low energy availability groups.
• The findings suggest that a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet may exacerbate intestinal epithelial cell injury during endurance exercise.

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