The keto diet has been shown to be useful in delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease as well as producing beneficial effects on the brain. New scientific studies associate it with beneficial effects on autoimmune diseases.
1) Keto diet, introduction
The keto diet (or ketogenic) is a diet with a normal caloric and protein intake, a minimal intake of carbohydrates (simple and complex, i.e. sugars and starches) and a higher intake of lipids, to reach the necessary energy (Kcal).
The human organism subjected to this diet, it makes up for the lack of sugar intake by consuming excess fat, contained in the adipocytes, and extracting fatty acids and glycerol from it, which are converted into sugar and energy. (1)
2) Neurons protection, and side effects
This diet – validated as the only therapy in cases of epilepsy not treatable with drugs – has been associated with protective effects on neurons, through their utilization of ketone bodies in the blood, including beta-hydroxybutyrate.
The state of acidosis induced by the keto diet is not pathological. However, its side effects – increased blood cholesterol levels, as well as reduced glucose tolerance – have stimulated critical opinions towards this dietary regime.
3) Keto diet and autoimmune diseases
Several searches conducted in recent years have suggested the beneficial effects of the ketogenic diet on autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, irritable bowel syndrome, Addison’s disease and Graves’ disease.
The experimental study published in Cell Reports (Alexander et al., 2024) tried to explain this phenomenon by testing in mice the ability of the increase in a ketone body (betahydroxybutyrate, βHB) to attenuate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. (3)
The variation in gut microbiota thus induced stimulated the ability of Lactobacillus murinus to produce a metabolite (indole lactic acid), which in turn can block the activity of T helper 17 lymphocytes involved in multiple sclerosis, as well as in other autoimmune diseases.
4) Provisional conclusions
Ketone bodies stimulated by the keto diet – in addition to protecting brain neurons from the aggression of neurovegetative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) – have already been shown to be able to re-establish a balance in the intestinal microbiota and reduce inflammatory states, in previous experiments. (2)
The results of the present study appear promising as the specific action of βHB on the intestinal microbiome has been demonstrated. Following confirmation on the human model, its use as a dietary supplement,as an alternative to the keto diet, may then also be evaluated.
Adele Fantoni
Footnotes
(1) Adele Fantoni. Keto diet and very low carb diet, the ABCs. FT (Food Times). 12.8.22
(2) Dario Dongo, Adele Fantoni. Intestinal microbiota and obesity, the potential of the keto diet. Study. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade).
(3) Margaret Alexander et al. A diet-dependent host metabolite shapes the gut microbiota to protect from autoimmune. Cell Rep. 2024 Nov 26;43(11):114891. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114891
REFERENCES
– Carmody, R.N.; Bisanz, JE Roles of the gut microbiome in weight management. Nat. Rev. Microbiol. 2023, 21, 535–550. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-023-00888-0
– Wang, Y.; Wang, M.; Chen, J.; Li, Y.; Kuang, Z.; Dende, C.; Raj, P.; Quinn, G.; Hu, Z.; Srinivasan, T.; et al. The gut microbiota reprograms intestinal lipid metabolism through long noncoding RNA Snhg9. Science 2023, 381, 851–857. DOI: 10.1126/science.ade0522
– Anhê, FF; Zlitni, S.; Zhang, S.Y.; Choi, B.S.; Chen, C.Y.; Foley, K.P.; Barra, N.G.; Surette, M.G.; Biertho, L.; Richard, D.; et al. Human gut microbiota after bariatric surgery alters intestinal morphology and glucose absorption in mice independently of obesity. Gut 2023, 72, 460–471. https://gut.bmj.com/content/72/3/460
– You, A.; Li, Y.; Shen, C.; Fan, H.; He, J.; Liu, Z.; Xue, Q.; Zhang, Y.; Zheng, L. Associations of non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors and body mass index with metabolic syndrome in the Chinese elderly population. Diabetol. Metab. Syndr. 2023, 15, 129. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-023-01047-4
– Li, S.; Feng, L.; Sun, X.; Ding, J.; Zhou, W. Association between serum uric acid and measures of adiposity in Chinese adults: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2023, 13, e072317. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/5/e072317
– Up, SY; Lin, T.H.; Liu, Y.H.; Wu, P.Y.; Huang, J.C.; Up, HM; Chen, SC Sex Difference in the Associations among Obesity-Related Indices with Hyperuricemia in a Large Taiwanese Population Study. Nutrients 2023, 15, 3419. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153419
– Choi IY, et al. A Diet Mimicking Fasting Promotes Regeneration and Reduces Autoimmunity and Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms. Cell Rep. 2016. PMID: 27239035 doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.05.009
Surgeon Specialist in dentistry, orthodontics, nutritionist and aesthetic doctor
