University of Missouri researchers are studying the ketogenic diet’s potential to protect brain health and slow cognitive decline, focusing on high-risk individuals for Alzheimer’s disease.
There may be a new way to protect brain energy and preserve cognitive function, and it could be as simple as changing what’s on your plate. Researchers at the University of Missouri are investigating the effects of a ketogenic diet in potentially preserving brain health and slowing cognitive decline, particularly for individuals at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Their research focuses on the ketogenic diet, which is high in fats and low in carbohydrates, and its impacts on those with the APOE4 gene, the most significant genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s.
In a recent study involving mice, published in the Journal of Neurochemistry, the researchers discovered that females with the APOE4 gene experienced healthier gut bacteria and increased brain energy on a ketogenic diet compared to those on a high-carb diet. Although these benefits were not observed in males, the findings suggest that a ketogenic diet could be particularly advantageous for certain groups.
“When we eat carbs, our brains convert the glucose into fuel, but those with the APOE4 gene — particularly females — struggle to convert the glucose into brain energy, and this can lead to cognitive decline down the road,” Kira Ivanich, a doctoral student, said in a news release. “By switching to a keto diet, ketones are produced and used as an alternative fuel source. This may decrease the chance of developing Alzheimer’s by preserving the health of brain cells.”
The results of this study underscore the potential of precision nutrition, which involves tailoring diets and interventions to benefit specific individuals based on a variety of factors including genotype, gut microbiome, gender and age.
“Instead of expecting one solution to work for everyone, it might be better to consider a variety of factors,” added Ai-Ling Lin, professor in the School of Medicine. “Since the symptoms of Alzheimer’s — which tend to be irreversible once they start — usually appear after age 65, the time to be thinking about preserving brain health is well before then, so hopefully our research can offer hope to many people through early interventions.”