HOUR 1: Metabolic Mechanisms and Rationale for Use

• Compare and contrast different approaches to therapeutic carbohydrate restriction (low-carbohydrate diets, very-low-carbohydrate diets, and ketogenic diets.)
• Describe the effect of dietary carbohydrate restriction on blood glucose regulation.
• Summarize the metabolic effects of insulin beyond controlling blood glucose.
• Outline how carbohydrate restriction affects fuel partitioning.
• Summarize the process of ketogenesis.

HOUR 2: Therapeutic Applications for Ketogenic Diets

• List three effects of carbohydrate restriction besides weight loss.
• Distinguish between applications for which a strict ketogenic diet may be most effective and those for which a more flexible low-carb approach may be sufficient.
• Name at least three conditions ketogenic diets have been shown to improve or put into remission.
• State three areas of emerging research for ketogenic diets.
• Discuss the potential synergies and areas of concern when combining a GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist medication with carbohydrate restriction.

HOUR 3: Practical Implementation & Troubleshooting

• Give examples of the foods that can be included in a ketogenic diet and the foods that are best avoided.
• List three factors that frequently prevent people from achieving their desired results on a low-carb or ketogenic diet.
• Contrast the pros & cons of measuring blood sugar and ketones.
• Summarize what occurs during the adaptation period (a.k.a. “keto flu”) and how to ease the transition.
• Recognize routinely prescribed medications that may need to be adjusted quickly upon adopting a low-carb or ketogenic diet.

HOUR 4: Ketogenic Diet Myths & Misperceptions

• Summarize the history of clinical use of ketogenic diets and other forms of carbohydrate restriction.
• State the differences between nutritional ketosis and diabetic ketoacidosis.
• Describe the effects of carbohydrate restriction on cardiovascular disease risk.
• Outline the effects of carbohydrate restriction on liver and kidney function.
• Recall the absolute contraindications for a ketogenic diet.