Posted on 06/30/2019 5:32:25 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
In a pilot study of 14 older adults with mild cognitive problems suggestive of early Alzheimer's disease, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers report that a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may improve brain function and memory.
"Our early findings suggest that perhaps we don't need to cut carbs as strictly as we initially tried. We may eventually see the same beneficial effects by adding a ketone supplement that would make the diet easier to follow," says Jason Brandt, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "It's something that 400-plus experimental drugs haven't been able to do in clinical trials."
Brandt explains that, typically, the brain uses the sugar glucose—a product of carbohydrate breakdown—as a primary fuel. However, research has shown that in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease the brain isn't able to efficiently use glucose as an energy source. Some experts, he says, even refer to Alzheimer's as "type 3 diabetes."
Using brain scans that show energy use, researchers have also found that ketones—chemicals formed during the breakdown of dietary fat—can be used as an alternative energy source in the brains of healthy people and those with mild cognitive impairment. For example, when a person is on a ketogenic diet, consisting of lots of fat and very few sugars and starches, the brain and body use ketones as an energy source instead of carbs.
When comparing the results of tests of delayed recall—the ability to recollect something they were told or shown a few minutes earlier—those who stuck to the modified Atkins diet improved by a couple of points on average (about 15% of the total score), whereas those who didn't follow the diet on average dropped a couple of points.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
InB4 anyone confuses the Atkins Diet with the first two weeks of the Atkins Diet.
I go on National Review sometimes. I saw a pic in an ad that was quite suggestive. Don’t know if they use it still.
Bacon grease helps too?
The real value is twofold: dropping carbs has benefits, but it’s also the autophagy that actively renews the body and cells. Fasting has the same results, but keto diet is less painful. But you must carefully watch the 25% protein ratio to obtain the benefits. Also eating foods that promote hormones that produce autophagy is a good idea.
Keep in mind though, keto diet is basically just disguised starvation. You’ll have problems on the long run and should quit when you’ve dropped all your weight.
bkmk
“...In a pilot study of 14 older adults ...”
Oh that’s a conclusive sample.
I have lost 35 lbs. on the keto diet, keeping on or below approximately 20 carbs per day. I have reached my goal weight and am keeping below 50 carbs to maintain. This simply means, in general, that I’ve given up grains and sugars in foods. There is a whole world out there of recipes substituting almond or coconut flour for wheat, certain artificial sweeteners for sugar, etc. My tastes have changed, as well as cravings for carb-loaded pastries. I feel a lot better. and can have wonderful food such as bacon, other meats/fish, butter, cheeses, green veggies, meats and fish of all kinds, certain fresh fruits, etc., plus keto dessert recipes to kill for.
You can't beat nature. Let your body do the work, it will pay off.
How is it starvation if you still get all your calories from Fats and Proteins?
I can understand the need for carbs if you’re going to run a race, but older people simply don’t need the carbs, like they did when they were younger.
Atkins is not Keto, Atkins allows for more carbs than pure-Keto.
A keto diet is not “disguised starvation”.
If you quit continuously cramming bread/chips/pasta/sugary drinks/candy bars/donuts down your gullet, it’s easy to go more than a few hours without eating.
I did my first OMAD (One-Meal A Day), I wasn’t even really all that hungry. Before I had been doing the standard 16-8, and more and more that was getting easy to do, so I took it to the next level.
OMAD is a bit of a stretch for me, though I’ve done it occasionally, but 20/4 or 22/2 on a weekend when I don’t have to concentrate on the day job is fairly easy.
Karl Denninger of “Market-Ticker” fame does well in races with no carbs.
Another thing I do, is I try to workout an hour before I break the fast. The Ketones give you a lot of energy, and you’re using up any of those last glycogen stores.
Agreed. How is it a starvation diet? You eat the same calories and are satiated for longer without blood sugar crashes.
And now that I have found this, why would I go back to a diet that caused me extreme, chronic, health problems?
I highly recommend this guy’s videos for all things Keto
Dr. Eric Berg
https://www.youtube.com/user/drericberg123
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.