Table 1.
Human case reports and studies using various ketogenic diet types for patients with brain tumors.
| PI | No. of subjects | Diet type | Calorie restriction | Calorie level | Length of study | Type of ketone measurement | Blood glucose measurement | Vitamin/mineral supplement | Commercial nutrition supplements | Treatment phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case reports | ||||||||||
| Nebeling et al. (36) | 1 | Ketogenic medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil-based diet (60% MCT oil, 20% protein, 10% carb, 10% dietary fat) | No | 85–125% RDA for age; individual-lized to allow for growth | 2 months | Blood | Yes | Yes | MCT oil, commercial pediatric formula for 1 subject on tube feedings | Post-chemotherapy for 1 subject, adjunctive with chemotherapy for second subject |
| Kalamian et al. (37) | 1 | Atkins × 3 months then Ketogenic 3.5:1 ratio × 9 months | Yes | 65–85% RDA | 12 months | Blood | Yes | Yes | MCT oil | Adjunctive with Chemotherapy |
| Zuccoli et al. (38) | 1 | Ketogenic 4:1 ratio | Yes | 600 kcal | 2 months | Blood | Yes | Yes | Ketocal, MCT oil | Adjunctive with radiation and chemotherapy |
| Schwartz et al. (24) | 2 | Energy-Restricted ketogenic diet (KD): 3:1 ratio | Yes | 20–25 kcal/kg/day | 6 weeks | Blood | Yes | Yes | No | New diagnosis with radiation and chemotherapy |
| PI | Study open or closed | Diet type | Calorie restriction | Calorie level | Length of study | Type of ketone measurement | Blood glucose measurement | Vitamin/mineral supplement | Commercial nutrition supplements | Treatment phase |
| Clinical trials | ||||||||||
| Klein et al. (26) | Open | Ketogenic 4:1 ratio | Yes | 1,600 | 6 months | Blood and urine | Yes | Yes | Uses pre-packaged meals | End stage, after radiation and chemotherapy as adjunctive therapy |
| Klein (39) | Open | Ketogenic 4:1 ratio | Yes | 1,600 | 6 months | Blood | Yes | Not stated | No | New diagnosis with radiation and chemotherapy |
| Scheck et al. (40) | Open | Ketogenic 4:1 × 6 weeks with radiation/chemo followed by a modified Atkins diet (MAD) during monthly chemotherapy × 12 months | No | Not stated | 18 months | Blood | Yes | Not stated | No | 4:1 with radiation/chemotherapy, then MAD with chemotherapy |
| Reiger et al. (41) | Closed | unrestricted KD | <50–60 g carbohydrates/day | Not stated | 6 weeks | Urine | No | No | Dietary supplementary products provided by Tavarin | End stage, after radiation and chemotherapy |
| Schwartz et al. (42) | Open | KD: 3:1 ratio | Yes | 20–25 kcal/kg/day | 6 weeks | Blood | Yes | Yes | No | New diagnosis with radiation and chemotherapy |