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Recently, there has been a hot discussion online that a low-carbohydrate diet can improve mood, and many studies have also suggested that a low-carb diet can aid in weight loss. Therefore, some friends who are unwilling to control their energy intake and are lazy to exercise have started to choose the ketogenic diet. The “eat less carbs, enjoy meat” ketogenic diet has become an ideal choice.
However, whether the ketogenic diet is a good method for weight loss has always been a topic of debate.
Recently, a new study in the “Nutrients” journal has proven that the “ketogenic diet” can protect the nerves, adding another supporting vote for the ketogenic diet. Is this really the case? Should one really engage in the ketogenic diet?
What is the ketogenic diet all about?
Before introducing the study, let’s first systematically understand the ketogenic diet.
The ketogenic diet, as the name suggests, increases the ketone content in the body by adopting this dietary approach.
Generally, the ketogenic diet requires consuming very few carbohydrates in the diet (providing only 2% to 10% of the total energy), and consuming a large amount of fats (often from plant oils, providing about 75% to 85% of the total energy), making it a low-carbohydrate diet method.
The principle of the ketogenic diet is that when the body does not intake enough carbohydrates and glucose consumption is depleted, a large amount of fat is consumed for energy, leading to the breakdown of fats and the production of more ketones, thereby achieving the effect of reducing fat.
This method is favored by many people seeking to reduce “fat,” and in the preparation process of some bodybuilders, the ketogenic diet is also adopted to further reduce “fat.”
Can the ketogenic diet protect the nerves?
Let’s now look at this study.
This study was published in the “Nutrients” journal and provided a comprehensive review summary of the ketogenic diet’s role in neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, revealing various molecular mechanisms through in vitro and in vivo studies for the neuroprotective effects of the ketogenic diet.
For example, inhibiting neural inflammation, reducing the production of free radicals, lowering the accumulation of amyloid plaques and triggering microglia, protecting dopaminergic neurons, enhancing gut microbiota diversity, inducing autophagy, restoring histone acetylation, promoting neuron repair, and more.
There is also some research supporting the ketogenic diet’s improvement effects on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and more.
However, overall, concerning the neuroprotective effect of the ketogenic diet, there is still little clinical evidence based on human body evidence, with most existing clinical investigations only evaluating the short-term effects of the ketogenic diet.
Some clinical studies lack compliance assessments, and there are significant differences in design and methods, all of which can have a significant impact on subsequent evaluations of cognitive impairment.
Be cautious of the side effects of the ketogenic diet.
Compared to the neuroprotective effects of the ketogenic diet, what we should pay more attention to is that during the implementation of the ketogenic diet, some side effects may occur, usually within the first few days of starting the diet, a phenomenon commonly known as “ketosis flu.”
Common side effects include:
inattention, muscle pain, emotional instability, bloating or constipation, and more severe conditions may induce hypoglycemia, electrolyte imbalance such as hypomagnesemia and hyponatremia, and metabolic disorders like hyperuricemia or transient hyperlipidemia.
So far, large-scale, long-term clinical studies evaluating the effects of the ketogenic diet on patients with neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases are still scarce.
On the other hand, the ketogenic diet requires strict daily control and adjustment, which can be quite challenging for long-term adherence and demands a high level of commitment.
The ketogenic diet is not recommended for individuals with poor liver function and metabolic disorders.
If there are symptoms related to neurodegeneration, the most important thing is to seek medical attention promptly and make targeted dietary adjustments under the guidance of professionals such as doctors and nutritionists.
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References:
Mentzelou M, Dakanalis A, Vasios GK, Gialeli M, Papadopoulou SK, Giaginis C. The Relationship of Ketogenic Diet with Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Diseases: A Scoping Review from Basic Research to Clinical Practice. Nutrients. 2023, 15(10):2270.
END
Editor | Dr. Ma’s Health Team Source | Dr. Ma’s Health Team
Reprint Cooperation | faye.feng@ignitehealth-gp.com
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