Keto Diet Can Boost Memory in Older Adults

Summary: A new study in lab mice shows that the keto diet may help prevent age-related memory decline in many ways. It appears to boost the production of certain proteins, including BDNF, thus promoting brain rewiring and increased connectivity between the brain cells, resulting in better memory.

 The keto diet is among the most popular forms of diet in the US. It has consistently remained in the list of top 10 popular diet forms in the US. Switching to a specific diet form is one way to boost metabolic health and weight loss.

A keto diet is about significantly reducing carb intake. Ideally, carbs should be less than 5% of total calorie intake. Practicing such a diet form is challenging, as one needs to give up many foods like pizza, pasta, grains, starchy vegetables, and many high-carb fruits. However, it also means completely giving up sugars and sugary beverages.

One must get most calories from fats and proteins in the keto diet. Such an approach significantly reduces blood glucose levels. This forces the body to mobilize fat stores and start using fats as an alternate energy source. Thus, the liver starts producing ketones to supply energy to various body tissues. 

It appears that ketones, produced by the liver, not only work as an alternate energy source but also have some health benefits. Ketones are especially good for brain health. It seems to promote brain rewiring.

In fact, it is vital to understand that the keto diet was first tested for managing neurological conditions like epilepsy. Here is a research article from 1928 published in one of the reputed research journals confirming that it works. 

Since brain disorders and memory issues are challenging to manage through drugs, science is exploring the role of the keto diet in boosting memory in the aging population. A new study shows that it could be a safe and effective way to prevent age-related memory decline.

New Study Shows That Keto Diet May Boost Memory in Older Adults

Here, of course, we are not talking about treating some diseases. Researchers wanted to test whether the keto diet may help prevent brain aging and related memory loss. The new study suggests that it may be an excellent choice.

The researchers carried out this study in aging mice. They found that the keto diet could improve working memory and even help prevent the decline of other brain functions. They also found that those on the keto diet showed signs of greater brain rewiring, thus confirming that the keto diet may promote brain rewiring.

They identified many ways in which the keto diet works, such as increasing energy production in brain cells. Brain cells also started producing certain proteins in greater amounts, which resulted in better working memory. Further, the keto diet activates the protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway and BDNF production. These proteins are known to promote the growth of brain cells and increase neuroplasticity.

This was among the first studies that focused on the benefits of the keto diet for those of advanced age. The study found some robust evidence that it can work and reduce age-related memory decline.

In practice, this means that older adults who want to boost their memory might benefit from the keto diet. Moreover, the keto diet has many incredible health benefits. It also means that one does essentially have to be obese or living with some metabolic disorder to enjoy its health benefits. In fact, it is quite likely that relatively healthier older adults may experience greater benefits for brain health. This is because reversing brain damage in older adults is quite challenging, and thus, preventing brain degeneration is the best approach.

So, it may be a good idea for older adults to practice the keto diet intermittently or persistently for longer periods. However, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor before making drastic dietary changes in the advanced age.

Source:

Acuña-Catalán, D., Shah, S., Wehrfritz, C., Nomura, M., Acevedo, A., Olmos, C., Quiroz, G., Huerta, H., Bons, J., Ampuero, E., Wyneken, U., Sanhueza, M., Arancibia, F., Contreras, D., Cárdenas, J. C., Morales, B., Schilling, B., Newman, J. C., & González-Billault, C. (2024). Ketogenic diet administration later in life improves memory by modifying the synaptic cortical proteome via the PKA signaling pathway in aging mice. Cell Reports Medicine, 5(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101593