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

Cover Story: Dr Isabella, Cooper, Biochemistry and Medical Pathophysiology Scientist, and Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy Specialist, from the University of Westminster, has co-authored new research proposing that a simple finger-prick blood test could help monitor metabolic health to help prevent and treat cancer and other chronic diseases.

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.

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.”