Approaching definitions for low-carbohydrate products and dietary patterns

Here’s how a multi-pronged approach could work from a scientific, clinical & legal perspective.  Getting the metabolic community to agree on definitions will take legwork and coordination.

Develop a list of keto-food terms for labeling

• Accepted evidence-based definitions of low-carbohydrate diets will assist in low-carb product definitions. However, keeping product and diet definitions separate is likely to be helpful.
• Encourage a cross-section of product producers to figure out what terms need defining. What’s appropriate in order to make health claims? What would people be seeing in terms of labeling and advertising? (E.g., keto, ketogenic, low-carb, net carbs, sugar alcohols.) 
• Align evidence regarding dietary components of metabolic health with proposed label claims per FDA oversight. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21: 101 “Food Labeling for Human Consumption”
• Confer with Metabolic Health Alliance / Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners clinician, scientist and education teams. Build on established guidelines for both Therapeutic Carbohydrate Restriction and Medical Ketogenic Diet Therapies.

What happens inside the body when dietary carbohydrates are restricted?

• A peer-reviewed, international document, with respected authors, similar to the consensus document Eric Kossoff led for pediatric epilepsy guidelines would be very helpful for other diseases. Their initial document was very conservative. Choosing clinician-researchers respected by their mainstream peers would be very helpful.
• Once published, such a paper would be very helpful in discussing keto-food definitions with governments.
• Can start the conversation and draft legislation. U.S. policy makers like to listen to U.S. scientists.
• Understand what the scientific community needs in terms of definitions
• Respectfully bridging between the guidelines established for various types of ketogenic diets: pediatric refractory epilepsy (Medical Ketogenic Diets)

See definitions section of our Communications Guide

Other posts that might interest volunteers

• About Metabolic Multiplier and the Metabolic Health Alliance
• Style Guide
• Communication Guide
• How might we approach metabolic health definitions?
• What Foundations support Metabolic Health? Encouraging them to meet in a metabolic health Summit
• Supporting Metabolic Health in Communities of Color