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L-Shaped Relationship Between Ketogenic Diet and High-Frequency Hearing Loss
Qiwei Zeng1, Yu Xiao1, Ming Sheng1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
The ketogenic diet (KD) is linked to high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL) in US adults. Consuming over 34.1% of the diet as ketogenic significantly increases the risk of developing HFHL.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition science
- Audiology
- Public health
Background:
- The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet.
- KD is linked to various health outcomes, but its effect on hearing is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the ketogenic diet and hearing loss in US adults.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data (2005-2012).
- Quantified KD using the ketogenic diet ratio (KDR).
- Used weighted logistic regression, restricted cubic splines, and trend tests.
Main Results:
- A positive correlation was found between KDR and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL).
- This association remained significant after adjusting for covariates.
- An L-shaped, non-linear relationship was observed, with risk increasing above 34.1% KDR.
Conclusions:
- The ketogenic diet is significantly associated with HFHL in US adults.
- Exceeding 34.1% of the diet as ketogenic poses a substantial risk for HFHL.
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