Researchers are edging closer to a breakthrough in dieting—capturing the weight-loss benefits of the ketogenic diet in a single pill.

The keto diet, which is high in fats and low in carbohydrates, prompts the body to enter a state of ketosis, where it burns fat instead of sugar for energy. This metabolic shift is often credited with significant weight loss.

This diet has gained celebrity endorsements over the years. For instance, actress Ricki Lake, at the age of 57, shed 40 pounds in just four months, while Al Roker, host of the Today Show, dropped 40 pounds over six months by adhering to the diet’s stringent guidelines.

Despite its popularity, the keto diet is notoriously tough to maintain. Followers must drastically reduce carbohydrate intake, eliminating foods like bread, pasta, pastries, and sweets, while consuming meals rich in meat, eggs, and fats.

However, scientists in California claim they might have discovered a way to replicate the fat-burning effects of keto through a pill, allowing individuals to continue enjoying carbohydrates.

The researchers have introduced an experimental pill named BL-001, designed to deliver the bacteria associated with the keto diet straight to the gut.

They argue that the pill shifts the gut microbiome and prompts the body to start burning fat for energy, helping to trigger weight loss and allow people to get the full benefits of the keto diet, without changing their lifestyle.

Ricki Lake, 57, lost 40lbs in four months while on the keto diet. She is shown above in September 2023 (left) and June 2024

The experimental pill is still in early trials and, the scientists say, is likely years away from being widely publicly available, but it has already shown promise and has not been linked to any serious side effects.

The keto diet surged in popularity in the late 2010s amid a raft of celebrity endorsements, also including Halle Berry, social media posts and new ‘keto-friendly’ products.

Adherents have claimed it has a wide range of benefits, from weight loss to improved blood sugar management, heart health, reduced inflammation and feeling more alert.

But doctors have warned that those on the diet may also be at higher risk of disordered eating, nutritional deficiencies because they are not eating a wide range of foods, and heart disease and kidney problems due to high levels of saturated fat.

Many experts urge people to only follow keto for a limited period of time, rather than remain permanently on the diet.

About 13 million Americans follow the keto diet today, estimates suggest.

The new pill, developed by Bloom Science, is already showing promise in early trials.

In a Phase 1 trial, first revealed in March 2025, a total of 24 healthy and overweight adults took the pill once a day while another eight received a placebo. It was double-blind, meaning the participants and scientists did not know who was receiving the pill.

After 28 days, scientists found that participants had lost weight, while no safety concerns were reported.

Al Roker, 71, said he lost 40lbs in six months while following the keto diet. He is pictured above in June 2018 (left) and February 2019

Users of the pill would take it once a day, the researchers said (stock image)

In the trial, overweight participants who received the pill lost 2.3 percent of their bodyweight on average compared to those who were healthy or received a placebo.

In one case, a participant lost five percent of their bodyweight.

The scientists also found that 80 percent of patients had maintained their weight loss for at least two weeks after their last dose.

Analysis also confirmed urinary ketones and reduced appetite among participants who received the pill. 

Researchers did not reveal further data from the trial, including the amount of weight lost in pounds or how much weight healthy participants lost.

But the pill is now set to enter Phase 1B trials and be administered to 48 obese adults in Australia who will take the pill once a day for 12 weeks. 

Dr Christopher Reyes, a biophysicist and chief executive officer at Bloom Science, added: ‘While the ketogenic diet has long been known for its therapeutic effects, BL-001’s potential to replicate its benefits in a more tolerable form of daily oral capsules opens exciting possibilities for patients.

‘This validation supports our continued clinical efforts targeting both obesity and Dravet syndrome.’

Dravet syndrome is a rare, lifelong form of genetic epilepsy. About 20,000 people in the US are estimated to suffer from the condition.

There has been research showing the keto diet relieves seizure activity.  

Dr Louis Licamele, a microbiologist and chief development officer of Bloom Science, said: ‘We believe BL-001 represents a groundbreaking approach to obesity treatment, with the potential to address the limitations of existing therapies by offering a safer, naturally inspired, multi-pathway solution.

‘We are excited by the current data and remain dedicated to developing a more patient-friendly alternative to current treatments that can provide sustainable weight loss while improving long-term compliance and outcomes.’