Metabolic health specialist Marc Bates has released a comprehensive YouTube video analysis revealing systematic methodological failures in ketogenic diet research that have misled both clinicians and patients about the true therapeutic potential of low-carbohydrate interventions.

The video addresses what Bates identifies as the "Low-Carb in Name Only" problem plaguing peer-reviewed nutrition research. Many studies labeled as ketogenic interventions actually test moderate carbohydrate diets containing 100-200 grams of carbohydrates daily, failing to induce the metabolic state of ketosis.

"These studies often conclude 'low-carb offers no unique metabolic advantage,' despite never actually studying ketogenic physiology," Bates explained in his detailed analysis.

Bates emphasizes that proper ketogenic research requires carbohydrate intake of 50 grams or fewer per day for most adults, with verification through blood β-hydroxybutyrate measurements of 0.5 mmol/L or higher sustained over time.

The analysis highlights the DIETFITS trial as a prominent example where participants averaged 130 grams of carbohydrates daily by study completion, yet conclusions about ketogenic diet effectiveness were drawn without any biomarker verification of ketosis.

According to Bates, this flawed methodology perpetuates false narratives in clinical guidelines and meta-analyses, potentially denying patients access to therapeutic carbohydrate restriction that has demonstrated significant benefits for type 2 diabetes reversal and metabolic health restoration when properly implemented.

The educational video is now available on YouTube and aims to provide clinicians and researchers with evidence-based criteria for evaluating ketogenic diet studies.