Ketogenic Diets

Ketogenic diets are typically high in fat with little or no carbohydrate, designed to create a state of “ketosis.” 

Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the liver, having been depleted of glycogen stores, switches to a chronic fasting mode; it is characterized by an abnormal increase of ketone bodies in the blood.  Deliberately-induced ketosis is a therapy used to treat epilepsy, particularly in children; it is also the basis of low-carbohydrate weight loss programs, such as the “Atkins” diets.  (“Ketoacidosis” is a term often used for a severe or extreme ketosis condition.)*

In collaboration with researchers, Purina TestDiet^® can produce ketogenic diets for any species, tailored to the unique needs of any experimental protocol.  Two such diets for rodents are part of our new TestDiet^® 21^st Century Western Diet Series™:

Purina TestDiet^® Formula #5TJQ is a High-Fat Ketogenic Diet for Rodents based on AIN-93G, with all carbohydrates removed.  Approximate energy being derived from fat is 84 kcal%, and from protein 16 kcal%, with a Protein:Fat ratio of ≈1:5.

Purina TestDiet^® Formula #5TJR is a High-Protein Ketogenic Diet for Rodents based on AIN-93G, also with all carbohydrates removed. Approximate energy being derived from fat is 67 kcal%, and from protein 33 kcal%, with a Protein:Fat ratio of ≈1:2 — the same ratio as an “Atkins-type” diet, but with no carbohydrates.

These formulas may be used “as is,” or may be used as the starting point for myriad variations to meet specific and unique research needs.

See:

TestDiet^® 21^st Century Western Diet Series™

*National Health Service (UK) Online Health Ecyclopedia general definition of “ketosis”