Jeff S. Volek

Jeff S. Volek is an American kinesiologist and low-carbohydrate diet advocate who focuses on the clinical application of ketogenic diets. He is the co-founder of Virta Health and was a review author for the evidentiary foundation of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Career

Volek obtained a MSc in Exercise Physiology in 1995 and PhD in Kinesiology from Pennsylvania State University in 1999. He is a registered dietitian.

Volek is a professor in the Department of Human Sciences at Ohio State University. He co-founded Virta Health Corp and is Chief Science Officer.

Volek is on the advisory board of Atkins-HCP (owned by Atkins Nutritionals) and co-authored a book promoting a modified version of the Atkins diet. Volek promotes a diet high in saturated fat and has disputed the saturated fat guidelines.

Volek's book The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living, co-authored with Stephen D. Phinney received an overall score of 74% by Red Pen Reviews, including a score of 63% for scientific accuracy. The review concluded that "we think Art and Science could be a useful book for people interested in low-carb diets, but they may want to view its scientific claims with some caution."

2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Volek was a review author of The Scientific Foundation For The Dietary Guidelines For Americans which was used as the evidentiary foundation for the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. New Atkins For a New You (with Eric C. Westman and Stephen D. Phinney, 2010) The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living (with Stephen D. Phinney, 2011) The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance (with Stephen D. Phinney, 2012)