The Effect of a Ketogenic Diet on the Exercise Induced Immune Response

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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comparing the exercise induced immune response after two weeks on a low carbohydrate (ketogenic) diet with the response after two weeks on a high carbohydrate diet.

Detailed Description
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A cross-over intervention study, with a total duration of 6 weeks. An athlete follows a high, or low carbohydrate (ketogenic) diet. After 2 days a test day takes place where the athlete performs an exercise test and blood samples are taken at different time points. After that, the athlete continues following the diet for another 12 days, after which he comes back again for another identical test day. Then a 2 weeks wash-out period. After that, the athlete follows the same protocol but then with either the low (ketogenic), or high carbohydrate diet.

Official Title
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The Effect of a Ketogenic Diet on the Exercise Induced Immune Response

Conditions
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Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: diet


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male Age: 18 - 45 y BMI: 18.5 - 25 kg/m2 Hb ≥ 8.5 mmol/L, determined with blood sample from finger tip Minimal of 3 hours of training per week, and a maximum of 10 hours DKTP (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and polio) vaccinated (for stimulation of isolated cells (PBMC's) with tetanus toxoid) No asthma medication and/or anti-inflammatory medication No use of immunosuppressive medication No flu and/or travel vaccinations in the 4 months before and during the study Able to be present and participate at all test days Willing and able to follow prescribed 2 times a diet for 2 weeks in a row Exclusion Criteria: Chronic illness Food allergies (e.g. nuts, gluten, avocado) Vegetarian diet Blood donations during study or in the 2 months prior to the study Use of immunosuppressive medication Flu and/or travel vaccination 4 months before and during the study Hb < 8.5 mmol/L Working at Human Nutrition - Wageningen University

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: low carbohydrate diet<br>less than 10 En% carbohydrates | Other: diet<br>* low carbohydrate diet (< 10 EN% carbs) vs high carbohydrate diet (>50 EN% carbs)<br>|
| Experimental: high carbohydrate diet<br>more than 50 En%carbohydrates | Other: diet<br>* low carbohydrate diet (< 10 EN% carbs) vs high carbohydrate diet (>50 EN% carbs)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PBMC cell differentiation changes in % | blood samples will be collected before and after exercise, the % of T-cells, NK-T-cells, B-cells, Monocytes in blood will be estimated with flow cytometrie. | after 2 days and 2 weeks of adapted diet | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| stress hormone Cortisol | blood samples will be collected before and after exercise, the level of cortisol will be estimated in these blood samples | after 2 days and 2 weeks of adapted diet | 
| ketone bodies | in urine will be detected with KetoStix | after 2 days and 2 weeks of adapted diet | 
| Free fatty acids | in blood will be detected with an ELISA | after 2 days and 2 weeks of adapted diet |