Ketogenic diet for high partial pressure oxygen diving.

Area of Science:

• Hyperbaric Medicine
• Nutritional Neuroscience

Background:

• The ketogenic diet (KD) shows potential for mitigating central nervous system (CNS) oxygen toxicity in divers.
• Evidence from epilepsy and oxygen toxicity studies suggests KD's neuroprotective properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and toxicity of a ketogenic diet (KD) in divers.
• To demonstrate tolerance of KD during normal diving profiles.

Main Methods:

• Three divers (2 male, 1 female, ages 32-45) with deep diving experience followed a KD.
• Divers used closed-circuit rebreathers (MK-15, Inspiration) with controlled oxygen levels during dives.
• Ketosis was verified using Ketostix; divers fasted 12-18 hours prior to diet initiation.

Main Results:

• Divers successfully achieved and maintained ketosis, verified by Ketostix.
• The KD did not impede diving operations or cause adverse effects.
• No seizure activity or signs of CNS toxicity were observed during the dives.

Conclusions:

• The ketogenic diet (KD) is a feasible and safe nutritional strategy for divers.
• KD may offer neuroprotection against CNS oxygen toxicity in diving environments.