Ketogenic diet for high partial pressure oxygen diving. Undersea Hyperb Med 2014;41(4):331-5
Date
08/12/2014Pubmed ID
25109086Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84904437307 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 4 CitationsAbstract
INTRODUCTION: A ketogenic diet (KD) may decrease central nervous system oxygen toxicity symptoms in divers, and in view of this implication a feasibility/ toxicity pilot study was performed to demonstrate tolerance of KD while performing normal diving profiles. The exact mechanism of neuroprotection from the KD remains unknown; however, evidence to support the efficacy of the KD in reducing seizures is present in epilepsy and oxygen toxicity studies, and may provide valuable insight in diving activities.
METHODS: Three divers (two males and one female ages 32-45 with a history of deep diving and high pO2 exposure) on the KD made dives to varying depths in Hawaii using fully closed-circuit MK-15 and Inspiration rebreathers. These rebreathers have an electronically controlled set point, allowing the divers to monitor and control the oxygen level in the breathing loop, which can be varied manually by the divers. Oxygen level was varied during descent, bottom depth and ascent (decompression). Divers fasted for 12-18 hours before diet initiation. The ketosis level was verified by urinating on a Ketostix (reagent strips for urinalysis).
RESULTS/SUMMARY: Ketosis was achieved and was easily monitored with Ketostix in the simulated operational environment. The KD did not interfere with the diving mission; no seizure activity or signs or symptoms of CNS toxicity were observed, and there were no adverse effects noted by the divers while on the KD.
Author List
Valadao JM, Vigilante JA, DiGeorge NW, O'Connor SE, Bear A, Kenyon J, Annis H, Dituri J, Dituri AE, Whelan HTAuthor
Alexandria J. Bear MD Assistant Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultDiet, Ketogenic
Diving
Feasibility Studies
Female
High Pressure Neurological Syndrome
Humans
Ketosis
Male
Middle Aged
Oxygen
Partial Pressure
Pilot Projects
