Scientists from the University of Michigan have found that a keto diet that includes high fat intake and low carbohydrate intake may be beneficial for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology.
With a ketogenic diet rich in fat and low in carbohydrates, special substances – ketones, are produced in the human body. This type of nutrition is used to treat treatment-resistant childhood epilepsy and some other neurological diseases. Ketone production can also be stimulated by certain drugs, such as medium-chain triglycerides, the effects of which are examined in a recent study.
To evaluate the effectiveness of ketosis in dementia, Parkinson’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, the scientists analyzed available data using the PubMed database. The researchers included randomized controlled clinical trials, which are considered the source of the most reliable results, in their analysis.
Evidence for cognitive improvement in Alzheimer’s disease following ketogenic therapy was rated as “probably effective” (only “effective” was higher). Evidence for improvement in motor function in Parkinson’s disease after ketogenic therapy received a lower “probably effective” rating.
Medium-chain triglycerides improved cerebral blood flow in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease without the APOε4 mutation, which increases the risk of dementia. They also showed a reduction in inflammation and improved functional connectivity in parts of the brain.
Despite the existence of various hypotheses, the mechanism of action of ketogenic therapy in Alzheimer’s disease is unknown. Additionally, most clinical trials have few participants, so higher-quality studies are needed. But scientists believe ketogenic therapy is potentially effective for people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.