Can the Ketogenic Diet Prevent Dementia?
GemPagesWhen discussing dietary approaches to prevent dementia, the MIND diet is frequently mentioned, and the ketogenic diet also garners significant attention. The defining feature of the ketogenic diet is its shift in the brain's primary energy source from glucose to ketones, which are byproducts of fat breakdown.
Research has identified several potential benefits of the ketogenic diet. It helps stabilize blood sugar levels, improves insulin sensitivity, and ketones are considered a more efficient and "cleaner" fuel for the brain, potentially offering positive cognitive effects. It has established therapeutic applications, such as in the treatment of certain forms of epilepsy, and theoretical models and animal studies have shown promising results. [1] However, its practical application for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease or dementia in humans remains limited.
Despite its considerable potential, I do not personally recommend the ketogenic diet for this purpose, primarily due to its exceptionally high difficulty of implementation. The diet requires a very low daily carbohydrate intake, typically under 50 grams, coupled with high fat and moderate protein. This necessitates eliminating staple foods like rice, noodles, bread, as well as fruits and most root vegetables. Daily eating often requires entirely self-prepared meals, making shared meals with others challenging. Furthermore, following a ketogenic diet successfully requires a solid understanding of nutrition to avoid deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. During the initial adaptation phase, some individuals may also experience side effects like dizziness and fatigue.
For those seeking to protect brain health through diet, rather than pursuing the highly restrictive ketogenic diet, the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet are more highly recommended. [2] The MIND diet, in particular, is more aligned with most people's lifestyles. Supported by substantial data, strict adherence has been associated with a roughly 53% reduced risk of dementia. [3] It is highly practical, emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and fish as primary protein sources. This pattern aligns well with common household nutritional habits while avoiding heavily processed foods. This dietary approach not only benefits brain health but also supports cardiovascular health and is easier to maintain long-term.
[1] Johns Hopkins University. Ketogenic Diet for New-Onset Absence Epilepsy. ICH GCP. Clinical Trial NCT04274179.
https://ichgcp.net/clinical-trials-registry/NCT04274179
[2] Annalise Schweickart, Richa Batra, et al. Serum and CSF metabolomics analysis shows Mediterranean Ketogenic Diet mitigates risk factors of Alzheimer's disease. NLM. 2024;2(1):15. doi: 10.1038/s44324-024-00016-3.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38962750
[3] Martha Clare Morris, Christy C. Tangney, Yamin Wang, et al. MIND diet associated with reduced incidence of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's Association. Volume11, Issue9.September 2015.Pages 1007-1014
https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1016/j.jalz.2014.11.009
