The effect of a low carbohydrate ketogenic diet with or without exercise on postpartum weight retention, metabolic profile and physical activity performance in postpartum mice.

The present study examined the effect of the isocaloric low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) with or without exercise training for 6 weeks on postpartum weight retention (PPWR), body composition, metabolic profile and physical activity performance in postpartum mice. Postpartum mice were assigned to four groups (n=8/group) as follows: (1) those on a control diet without aerobic exercise (CN); (2) those on a control diet with aerobic exercise (CN+EX), (3); those on a LCKD without aerobic exercise (LCKD); (4) those on a LCKD with aerobic exercise (LCKD+EX). CN+EX and LCKD+EX mice performed 6 weeks of exercise training on a treadmill. After the 6-week intervention, physical activity performance was determined. Postpartum mice in all groups experienced progressive reductions in body weight over the study period. The LCKD group had the smallest reduction in PPWR (P<.05). The LCKD group had significantly higher total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and liver lipid concentrations with a worsened glucose tolerance, compared to the CN group (P<.05). The LCKD group showed significant reductions in physical activity performance, whilst the LCKD+EX group showed significant improvement in endurance performance, and paralleled the concomitant elevation in blood ketone levels. Six-week LCKD feeding on its own was less effective for reducing PPWR, and more detrimental to the postpartum metabolic outcomes and physical activity performance of the postpartum mice. The feasibility of a LCKD with or without exercise during the postpartum period as a strategy for managing PPWR and improving postpartum metabolic profiles should be carefully considered.