What is the Health Food Science Foundation?

Purpose

The Health Food Science Foundation exists to advance scientific understanding of the ketogenic diet and its impact on human biology and public health, by funding rigorous research that explores the mechanisms behind this nutritional approach.

Mission

Our mission is to fund and promote scientific studies that deepen our knowledge of the ketogenic diet, focusing on its metabolic effects and potential health benefits. Through our efforts, we aim to provide the data necessary to develop evidence-based nutritional interventions that enhance public health and well-being.

Vision

We envision a world where the ketogenic diet is widely understood and respected for its potential to improve human health. The Health Food Science Foundation seeks to be a leader in nutritional science, providing the research and data needed to empower individuals and health professionals to make informed dietary choices that promote vitality and longevity.

Impact

The Health Food Science Foundation is dedicated to driving significant change in both the scientific and public health arenas. The foundation’s impact will be twofold:

Raising Funds for Rigorous Scientific Evaluation:
By securing financial resources, the foundation will enable the conduction of high-quality, rigorous scientific studies focused on the ketogenic diet and its effects on human biology. These studies will fill critical gaps in existing research, providing the quantitative data needed to understand the mechanisms behind the diet’s wide-ranging health benefits. The knowledge generated from these studies will empower healthcare providers, patients, and the general public to make informed decisions about nutrition and health.

Advocating for Change in Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, and Wellness Industries:
Armed with compelling research findings, the foundation will actively advocate for the integration of ketogenic dietary principles into healthcare practices, pharmaceutical approaches, and wellness programs. The foundation will engage with key stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, and medical professionals, to influence dietary guidelines, treatment protocols, and public health initiatives. Through education, collaboration, and persistent advocacy, the foundation will work to shift the paradigm in how nutrition and metabolic health are understood and addressed in society.

This dual approach ensures that the foundation not only contributes to the scientific understanding of the ketogenic diet but also actively works to translate that knowledge into real-world change, improving health outcomes on a broad scale.

The 800 year history of low carb nutrition.

Here are some things you probably didn’t know about ketogenic diets. This list is not a comprehensive history, just some points of fact that you should consider as you research proper human nutrition.

Ketogenic diets encompass ANY diet that is focused on the removal/reduction of plant-based foods and the inclusion/prioritization of animal-based foods to optimize the nutrient intake and utilization of fat and protein by the body.

Common types of diets that fall under this umbrella are, Atkins, Theraputic Keto, Ketogenic Diet, Carnivore Diet, Ketovore, etc… Throughout history, ketogenic diets have been used with great success to enable amazing feats of human accomplishment and cure disease. Even though it wasn’t until the early 1900’s that a name was given to the concept of ketogenic diets, they have shaped the course of human development since the dawn of time.

Ketogenic Diet Facts

In the early 1200’s, ketogenic, animal-based nutrition enabled Genghis Khan to conquer the world.
In 1864, William Banting wrote, what is considered the FIRST diet book the, “Letter on Corpulence“. This book, proposed a low-carb nutriton lifestyle as a means for managing weight and health.
In 1888, Dr. James Salisbury, introduced the “Salisbury Steak” in his book, “The relation of alimentation and disease“. As a doctor, Salisbury used animal-based, ketogenic nutrition to cure diabetes, gout, and other chronic ailments.
In 1921, the biological mechanism behind ketogenic diets was discovered. This led to giving the diet a new name and breakthroughs in the care and management of epilepsy.
In 1972, Dr. Robert Atkins introduced his method of low-carb nutriton in the book, “Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution“. This is really where ketogenic diets started growing in social consciousness in the 20th century.
Most recently in 2021, Harvard University did a study that demonstrated a dramatic improvement of health and body composition in over 2000 people who followed a carnivore diet.