The Keto Diet and the Brain: Research Results Nobody Expected

• A ketogenic diet may support the brain in people with the APOE4 gene, which is linked to Alzheimer's disease.
• Female mice on a keto diet had improved brain microbiota balance and energy levels.
• Ketosis provides an alternative fuel for the brain when glucose is less processed.
• Scientists emphasize the role of personalized nutrition depending on gender and age genes

Although this is still a study on mice (and they do not always translate into human reactions), scientists from the University of Missouri (USA) have shown that the ketogenic diet can, at least in certain situations, support the brain .

Female mice with the APOE4 allele, which predisposes them to Alzheimer's disease, fed a ketogenic diet had better gut microbiota balance and higher brain energy levels than females with the same mutation fed a higher-carbohydrate diet. The effect was less pronounced in males.

"When we consume carbohydrates, our brain converts glucose into fuel for its cells, but people with the APOE4 gene – especially women – have difficulty converting glucose into brain energy, which in the long term can lead to cognitive decline," says Kira Ivanich, co-author of the publication, which appeared in the Journal of Neurochemistry.

" Switching to a ketogenic diet produces ketones, which provide an alternative energy source. This may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by preserving the health of brain cells," explains the researcher.

The authors of the paper emphasize the importance of so-called precision nutrition.

- Instead of expecting one solution to be effective for everyone, it would be better to take into account various factors, such as genotype, gut microbiome, gender and age - notes co-author Prof. Ai-Ling Lin.

"Because Alzheimer's symptoms—which are usually irreversible once they appear—usually appear after the age of 65, maintaining brain health should be considered much earlier. We hope our research will bring hope to many people through early interventions," he adds.

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