A ketogenic diet pattern during lactation increases visceral fat, glucose, and cholesterol levels and reduces beneficial fecal bacteria in dams and offspring

A ketogenic diet (KD) is a dietary pattern characterized by high fat, moderate protein, and low carbohydrates. The present study evaluated the effects of a KD with saturated fat content during lactation on biochemical outcomes and selected fecal bacterial groups in dams and offspring. Wistar rat dams were assigned to the experimental groups (control or ketogenic), and pups from both dams received a standard chow diet from weaning until 60 days of age. KD consumption during lactation increased liver weight in dams, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in pups and visceral and retroperitoneal fat in both dams and pups. Furthermore, KD increased Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroides spp. While decreased Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. counts in the feces of dams and pups. Results show that KD consumption during lactation increased fat deposition, impaired fecal microbial counts in dams, and induced short- and long-term adverse effects on lipid profile and fecal microbial counts in offspring. Findings indicate that consuming a KD with a high saturated fat content during lactation affects biochemical parameters and influences fecal bacteria associated with health in dams and pups. •Ketogenic diet (KD) during lactation increased visceral fat in dams and pups.•KD during lactation increased glucose, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol levels in pups.•KD during lactation increased Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroides dams and pups.•KD during lactation decreased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in dams and pups.