Ketogenic diets could slow aging, new research suggests.
Following low-carb, high-fat eating plans may prevent age-related conditions, such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s and even cancer, according to researchers.
During carbohydrate ‘starvation’, the body releases a chemical, known as β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB), which protects cells from ‘internal stress’, a study found.
Such stress is linked to genetic damage in cells, which can cause ageing, the research adds.
Study author Dr Katerina Akassoglou from the Gladstone Institute for Virology and Immunology in San Francisco, said: ‘The findings could be relevant for a wide range of neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autism and traumatic brain injury.
‘[These] diseases afflict millions and there are few treatment options.’
The Keto diet, which is favored by the likes of Halle Berry and Kourtney Kardashian, forces the body to burn fat, rather than carbohydrates, for energy, which effectively starves it of carbs but not calories.
Following low-carb, high-fat eating plans may prevent age-related conditions (stock)
‘The findings could be relevant for a range of conditions’
The researchers restricted the calorie intake of mice, which caused their βOHB levels to rise, while blocking the effects of the enzyme histone deacetylases (HDACs).
Inhibiting HDACs leads to the activation of the genes Foxo3a and Mt2, which protect cells from internal stress.
Study author Dr Eric Verdin said: ‘Over the years, studies have found that restricting calories slows aging and increases longevity, however, the mechanism of this effect has remained elusive.
‘Here, we find that βOHB, the body’s major source of energy during exercise or fasting, blocks a class of enzymes that would otherwise promote stress, thus protecting cells from aging.’
The researchers plan to analyze the effect of a ketogenic diet on brain and heart.
Dr Akassoglou added: ‘The findings could be relevant for a wide range of neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autism and traumatic brain injury.
‘[These] diseases afflict millions and there are few treatment options.’
The findings were published in the journal Science.
Is the Keto diet too restrictive?
Despite the recent findings, Keto diets have come under fire for being too restrictive.
Registered dietitian Abbey Sharp previously told MailOnline: ‘While restriction may lead to quick weight loss, anything restrictive has a tendency to backfire in the long run and lead to rebound weight gain.’
‘For the majority of people, following a restrictive diet is unsustainable. They end up going on and off various diets, creating an unhealthy eating pattern.’
Cutting out carbohydrates may also cause other health problems.
Ms Sharp added: ‘The ketogenic diet is low in fiber, which can not only create constipation, but also denies you the health benefits of fiber in chronic disease prevention.’
Are low-carb diets safe during pregnancy?
Low-carb diets, such as Keto, have also been linked to birth defects, such as spina bifida, when adopted by expectant mothers.
Last month researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, found women who stick to carb-restrictive diets while pregnant or trying to conceive are at a 30 percent higher risk of having babies with neural tube birth defects.
This is thought to be due to an insufficient intake of folic acid.
Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is an essential nutrient that minimizes the risk of neural tube defects.
Research assistant professor Dr Tania Desrosiers said: ‘This is concerning because low carbohydrate diets are fairly popular.’
The Department of Health recommends that women should take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms of folic acid while they are trying to conceive, and should continue taking this dose for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when the baby’s spine is developing.