Summary of Special Mediterranean Keto Diet Could Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease:
A study conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that a Mediterranean-based ketogenic diet, rich in healthy fats and protein with low carbohydrates, could potentially reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. ‘The study involved 20 adults, nine diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 11 with normal cognition, who were randomly assigned to follow either the low-carbohydrate modified Mediterranean-ketogenic diet or a low-fat, higher carbohydrate diet for six weeks then, after a six-week “washout” period, to switch to the other diet. The study found that this diet led to significant changes in the gut microbiome and in a biological pathway related to Alzheimer’s disease, notably reducing the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and GABA-producing microbes, while increasing the levels of GABA-regulating bacteria, suggesting potential benefits for brain health and dementia prevention. The study was funded by the Wake Forest Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, the Hartman Family Foundation, Roena B. Kulynych Center for Memory and Cognition Research, and the National Institute on Aging.
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Adopting a Mediterranean-Based Ketogenic Diet Could Reduce Alzheimer’s Disease Risk, According to New Study
Scientists at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine have conducted a study indicating that following a Mediterranean-style ketogenic diet could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The study revealed that a modified ketogenic diet consisting of healthy fats/protein and a lower carbohydrate intake led to significant changes in the gut microbiome and a biological pathway relating to Alzheimer’s disease. The results showed a reduction in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels and GABA-producing microbes while increasing the level of GABA-regulating bacteria, potentially leading to brain health and dementia prevention.
Improving Our Understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention
With over 6.5 million people in the US living with Alzheimer’s disease, and one in three seniors dying of the disease or another form of dementia, research is increasingly focused on finding new interventions to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s. This study offers valuable insight into how diet and cognitive status can influence the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Previous research by Suzanne Craft’s team demonstrated that a modified ketogenic diet could prove beneficial in preventing cognitive decline. This new study builds upon that research, highlighting how diet interventions play a crucial role in brain health.
Comparing the Effects of a Low-Fat Diet and a Mediterranean Ketogenic Diet
The randomized, single-site study involved 20 adults, nine diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 11 with normal cognition. Participants were randomly assigned to follow either a low-carbohydrate modified Mediterranean ketogenic diet or a low-fat, higher carbohydrate diet for six weeks, then, after a six-week “washout” period, to switch to the other diet. Researchers collected stool samples from participants at the beginning and end of each diet period to analyze changes in the gut microbiome.
The Findings of the Study
The study results showed that participants diagnosed with MCI on the modified Mediterranean ketogenic diet had lower GABA levels and GABA-producing microbes, with higher GABA-regulating bacteria levels. The study also revealed that participants with MCI who had curcumin in their diets had lower levels of BSH-containing bacteria, which regulate bile acids produced by the liver and gut. Lower levels of these bacteria suggest reduced gut motility, in which food and waste take longer to transit the gut.
Conclusion
This study offers valuable insights into how adopting a Mediterranean-style ketogenic diet may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It highlights the critical role that diet interventions play in brain health and cognitive impairment prevention. While more extensive studies are necessary to fully understand the connection between diet and Alzheimer’s disease, this research offers a strong foundation for developing future interventions.
