Introduction

Welcome to The Sense Check Lab, where we separate fact from fiction using evidence, expertise, and a healthy dose of skepticism. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the Keto Diet—What, Why, Who & How. You’ve seen the headlines, heard the buzz, and maybe even considered trying it yourself. But what’s really behind the hype? We’ll break down what the ketogenic diet is, why it’s become so popular, who it might help (or harm), and how it actually works—using only credible, peer-reviewed research from leading institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Oxford. Our goal: to give you the science, the sense, and the straight talk you need to make informed decisions.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this episode of The Sense Check Lab is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for professional healthcare consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medication. The findings discussed are based on current research, which continues to evolve. Individual results may vary.

Reference

Below are the key scientific studies and authoritative resources referenced in this episode:

1. Harvard Health Publishing. "Should you try the keto diet?"

2. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "Diet Review: Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss"

3. Harvard Health Publishing. "Ketogenic diet: Is the ultimate low-carb diet good for you?"

4. Harvard Health Publishing. "Keto diet is not healthy and may harm the heart"

5. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy (Nature Publishing Group). "Ketogenic diet for human diseases: the underlying mechanisms and clinical applications"

6. Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre. "The DIME Study – Is a ketogenic diet beneficial for people with treatment-resistant depression?"

7. Cureus (NCBI). "The Potential Health Benefits of the Ketogenic Diet"

8. James Cook University. "Keto therapy clinical trials"

9. MIT News. "Study links certain metabolites to stem cell function in the intestine"

10. University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry. "Evaluating the efficacy and mechanisms of a ketogenic diet as an intervention for depression"

11. UT Health San Antonio. "A long-term ketogenic diet accumulates aged cells in normal tissues"

12. University of California, San Francisco. "UCSF Ketogenic Diet Clinical Trials"

13. PubMed. "An umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials"