RETRACTED: Longitudinal Data From the KETO-CTA Study: Plaque Predicts Plaque, ApoB Does Not
A recent study on the keto diet and its effects on heart health has been retracted due to methodological concerns and allegations of selective reporting of data. The study, titled “Longitudinal Data From the KETO-CTA Study: Plaque Predicts Plaque, ApoB Does Not,” was published in the journal JACC: Advances and suggested that a keto diet’s high cholesterol may not be a factor in heart disease. The study followed 100 healthy individuals on the keto diet for one year and found that they had elevated levels of LDL cholesterol and ApoB, but no increased risk of heart disease. However, the study also found that individuals with pre-existing plaques in their arteries were more likely to experience further plaque buildup.
The study’s findings were widely reported and sparked a significant amount of discussion on social media. However, shortly after publication, concerns were raised about the study’s methodology and statistical analysis. A Letter to the Editor was published in May 2025, highlighting issues with selective reporting of data and questioning the study’s timeframe. The Editors of JACC: Advances subsequently issued an Expression of Concern in January 2026, stating that the study was undergoing further review.
After a thorough review, the authors and Editors of the journal have decided to retract the study due to the methodological concerns. The concerns were deemed too significant to be corrected with a corrigendum, and the study’s reliability was called into question. The retraction of the study is a significant development, as it highlights the importance of rigorous scientific methodology and the need for transparency in research.
The retraction of the study has been reported by several news outlets, including Retraction Watch and WIRED. The WIRED article, titled “How One Keto Trial Set Off a New War in the Nutrition World,” provides a detailed analysis of the study and its implications. The article highlights the controversy surrounding the keto diet and the need for more rigorous research on its effects on human health.
The retraction of the study serves as a reminder of the importance of critically evaluating scientific research and the need for transparency in the scientific community. It also highlights the role of social media and online platforms in promoting scientific discussion and debate. The study’s retraction has sparked a significant amount of discussion on Reddit’s r/science community, with many users expressing concerns about the study’s methodology and the implications of the retraction.
In response to the retraction, several authors have submitted a preprint reporting a re-analysis of the data that allegedly addresses the various concerns. The re-analysis is expected to provide a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between the keto diet and heart health. As the scientific community continues to debate the merits of the keto diet, it is essential to prioritize rigorous scientific methodology and transparency in research. The retraction of the KETO-CTA study serves as a reminder of the importance of critically evaluating scientific research and the need for ongoing debate and discussion in the scientific community.
