Westminster researcher proposes simple blood test to prevent chronic diseases and support treatment

Published in the journal Frontiers in Science, the paper suggests that the simple blood test called the glucose ketone index (GKI) could help doctors measure metabolic health, monitor the effects of diet and exercise, and support the treatment of chronic diseases linked to many non-communicable diseases (NCSs).

NCDs, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and neurodegenerative conditions, account for around three in four deaths globally and are expected to continue rising over the coming decades.

Growing evidence suggests that the inability of cells to efficiently produce energy is associated with many chronic diseases. The researchers propose that the test allows individuals to track and optimise their metabolic health, by indicating changes needed in nutrition and exercise to improve health and prevent NCSs.

The authors stress that ketogenic approaches such as this should be considered as management strategies for chronic disease in appropriate clinical settings rather than cures, and that they should only be undertaken under professional medical supervision.

They also call for larger, standardised clinical trials to establish how GKI measurements should be used across different diseases and recommend that future studies routinely report glucose, ketone and GKI values alongside other metabolic biomarkers, including insulin, triglycerides and inflammatory markers.

Dr Cooper said: "Non-communicable diseases are placing an increasingly significant burden on global health across almost every age group. Introducing quantitative GKI testing could provide a clear, practical measure that goes beyond weight loss, helping clinicians monitor sustained behaviour change while assessing disease risk and treatment response.

"To realise its potential, we urgently need larger, standardised clinical studies to determine how well GKI values predict health outcomes across different diseases and to establish disease-specific target ranges."

She added: “Our findings are encouraging, but a ketogenic dietary approach should always be individualised and ideally undertaken with appropriate medical or nutritional supervision, particularly for people taking medications or living with chronic disease. The goal is not simply to produce ketones but to improve overall metabolic health in a safe and sustainable way. Measuring the GKI can provide useful feedback on how an individual’s metabolism is responding rather than relying on dietary compliance alone. Healthy lifestyle habits, including nutrient-dense foods, regular physical activity, good sleep and stress management remain fundamental. The GKI should be viewed as a tool to support healthier metabolic physiology rather than as a goal in itself.”

The study was led by Professor Thomas Seyfried and Dr Derek Lee from Boston College, USA, in collaboration with Dr Cooper.

Dr Lee said: “Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to many chronic illnesses and cancers, with poor nutrition and reduced physical activity remaining among the most significant, and preventable, risk factors. When combined with evidence-based nutrition and exercise, the GKI could offer a framework for monitoring mitochondrial health across diverse patient groups and disease contexts. If validated in larger studies, this could inform efforts to address the wide health burden of NCDs.”

This research directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Find out more about the School of Life Sciences at the University of Westminster.