This is a surprising benefit.
Researchers have identified a potential mechanism that may explain the observed improvements in aging male mice placed on ketogenic diets, abbreviated as “keto diets.” They suggest that cycling these mice between a standard control diet and a ketogenic diet enhances synaptic signaling in the brain.
Dr. John Newman, along with colleagues, previously demonstrated in a proof-of-concept study that cyclic ketogenic diets could reduce midlife mortality risk and prevent age-related memory decline in male mice. This prompted further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying these benefits.
Christian Gonzalez-Billault, lead author of the recent study and professor at the Universidad de Chile and the Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), collaborated with Newman to delve deeper into the effects of ketogenic diets on aging. They focused on understanding why these diets improved cognitive function and overall health in aged animals, building on prior research showing similar benefits.
In their study, 19 male mice aged 20–23 months (considered old for mice) were either kept on a control diet or cycled between a ketogenic diet and a control diet every other week. Over a period of 12 weeks, the researchers monitored metabolic parameters, followed by behavioral testing for an additional 5 weeks.
The findings revealed that the ketogenic diet was associated with lower blood sugar levels and improvements in memory and motor skills among the older mice. Importantly, there was enhanced plasticity observed in the hippocampus, a critical brain region for memory and learning, among those on the cyclic ketogenic diet.
Further investigations pointed to ketone bodies, produced during periods of low glucose levels, activating a signaling pathway crucial for synaptic function. This mechanism, they suggest, underlies the cognitive benefits observed in aged mice subjected to the ketogenic diet regimen.
Gonzalez-Billault highlighted that while the diet’s effects appear more pronounced in older animals, younger animals typically show milder responses, if any. This resilience-promoting aspect in aging animals is pivotal in the context of healthspan — the period of life free from chronic diseases.
However, the researcher cautioned that more studies are needed to understand why ketogenic diets do not seem to yield the same benefits in younger animals. Speculatively, he suggested that the inherent resilience mechanisms present in youth might mitigate the diet’s potential effects on cellular damage.
While small-scale human studies suggest potential cognitive benefits of ketogenic diets, particularly in older adults with dementia, the research is still preliminary. Larger clinical trials are necessary to validate these findings and explore broader implications for human health.
Despite its promising effects, ketogenic diets are challenging to maintain due to their restrictive nature, particularly in carbohydrate intake. This limitation can lead to reduced consumption of essential nutrients from plant-based foods, such as fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are vital for overall health.
In conclusion, while ketogenic diets show promise in animal models for enhancing cognitive function and metabolic health in aging, experts recommend approaches supported by extensive human research, such as the Mediterranean and DASH diets, for healthy aging. Individuals interested in trying a ketogenic diet should seek guidance from healthcare professionals to ensure balanced nutrition and optimal health outcomes.
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