Ketogenic Metabolic Therapies in Prevention & Treatment of Non-communicable Diseases: Volume II

Given the outstanding impact of 'Ketogenic Metabolic Therapies in Prevention & Treatment of Non-communicable Diseases’, Frontiers in Nutrition is happy to launch Volume II of this successful Research Topic.

Building on the momentum of the 5th International Keto Live® Conference and the 2nd Keto Live® Sports Conference 2025, held in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and organized in collaboration between the European Keto Live® Centre (EKLC) and the Swiss Association for Ketogenic Metabolic Therapies (SAKMT). The conferences focused on the science and the medically sound applications of KMT across a broad spectrum of diseases, including neurological and psychiatric health, insulin resistance (IR), cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, type 1 & type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), liver diseases, and related areas, such as sports and exercise nutrition.

Looking ahead, the 6th International Keto Live® Conference in Switzerland will take place from June 8th to 12th, 2026. These annual CME-certified conferences bring together clinicians, researchers, and patients from leading universities around the world, all dedicated to advancing the science and real-world applications. Lecturing and discussing metabolic and ketogenic therapies as a powerful medical tool to manage and fight Non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Created for medical professionals, the conference welcomes everyone interested in metabolic health.

According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), NCDs accounted for over 41 million deaths in 2021, including an estimated 15 million deaths among people under 70. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause, followed by cancers, chronic respiratory illnesses, and diabetes. Additionally, the global burden of neurodegenerative and mental health disorders is rising, further contributing to mortality and disability. Nearly 75% of NCD-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income regions, where limited access and high costs of essential medicines present significant barriers. Wealthier countries are also experiencing rising healthcare expenditures and increasing system strain, as NCDs are largely managed through ongoing medical interventions.

The prevailing medical model typically assumes these conditions are chronic, progressive, and irreversible, requiring lifelong pharmaceutical management. However, a growing number of clinicians, researchers, and patients are exploring alternative, evidence-driven approaches. Ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) is gaining recognition for its potential to reverse the symptoms and progression of several NCDs, including type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and bipolar disorder, among others.

KMT is one of the most thoroughly studied nutritional interventions, with a longstanding track record as a safe and evidence-based treatment for intractable epilepsy. Currently, there are more than 300 registered clinical trials evaluating KMT’s role in a wide array of NCDs. Its promising benefits are thought to be linked to enhanced mitochondrial function, reduced oxidative stress, and decreased inflammation.

Volume II of this Research Topic will explore the intricate relationships among metabolic health, insulin resistance, and the onset and progression of NCDs, along with the critical roles of ketone and glucose metabolism in their prevention and treatment. We welcome high-quality original research, reviews, case reports, as well as opinion and perspective articles focused on the physiological underpinnings and clinical applications of KMT across various medical fields.

Keywords: ketogenic, metabolic therapy, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes, T2D, mental health, T1D, neurodegenerative, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychiatric disease, cancer, CVD, NCDs

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.