What We Learned

• The Keto Diet, while often referred to as a weight-loss fad, is showing scientific evidence as a tool for physical and neurological health
• Exercise and a keto diet can increase the number of mitochondria in muscle, combating the effects of aging
• Transforming energy from fat improves the necessary elimination of neurotoxins known for nerve-tissue degeneration and neurological disorders
• Neurocognitive decline is shown to happen earlier with a stronger impact  on women
• For maximal rate of energy production, athletes still power performance with carbohydrates

The Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9762714/

Abstract

As humans age, we lose skeletal muscle mass, even in the absence of disease (sarcopenia), increasing the risk of death. Low mitochondrial mass and activity contributes to sarcopenia. It is our hypothesis that a ketogenic diet improves skeletal muscle mitochondrial mass and function when they have declined because of aging or disease, but not in athletes where mitochondrial quality is high.

Key Words: exercise, sarcopenia, mitochondria, dynopenia, type IIa fibers

Pathak SJ, Baar K. Ketogenic Diets and Mitochondrial Function: Benefits for Aging But Not for Athletes. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2023 Jan 1;51(1):27-33. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000307. Epub 2022 Sep 16. PMID: 36123723; PMCID: PMC9762714.

A recent study from the UC Davis Health Medical Center has found that a ketogenic diet repairs and improves the function of muscular tissue while deterring muscle atrophy due to sarcopenia (the scientific word for aging).

The keto diet comprises a proportionately large intake of fats (including saturated) compared to the standard American diet, with carbohydrate intake accounting for less than 5 to 10% of daily consumption. In contrast, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that carbs provide 45–65% of your daily calorie intake for all age groups and sexes.

The objective of this style of nutrition is to achieve ketosis, a metabolic state that occurs when your body relies on fat storage for energy (through ketone production, or ketogenesis) rather than glucose. Ketone bodies are a chemical byproduct of fat breakdown produced by the liver.

The primary ways of achieving ketosis are exercise, diet, and intermittent (or extended) fasting.

“The keto diet is widely known as a weight-loss diet, but it also has a far-reaching effect on the muscles and the brain,” says professor Keith Baar, lead author of the study and exercise physiologist. Baar works in the Departments of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, and of Physiology and Membrane Biology.

A keto diet prevents muscle deterioration and even restores muscle function.

Kieth Barr

As we age, our bodies experience muscle atrophy and lose both muscle and endurance. The reason behind this is the weakening and loss of our mitochondria, which have two jobs: produce more energy and break down waste metabolic byproducts called kynurenines.

"Our studies show that when we give animals a ketogenic diet, they maintain their muscle strength and their endurance into old age. They also maintain their muscle mass. A keto diet therefore prevents muscle deterioration and even restores muscle function."

The keto diet has been used for many years to treat neurocognitive diseases such as epilepsy and is now being used to treat age-related disorders, neurological decline, and Alzheimer’s disease.

To dig deeper into the details and learn the specifics, head here to the interview with Professor Kieth Barr, by Nadine A Yehya below. She and Professor Barr continue to discuss ketone supplements and esters for brain-function benefits, ineffective ketone salts, lipid testing for HDL, bone density health and the dreaded keto flu.

Stay curious. Keep learning.

Source Article: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/study-shows-that-keto-diet-boosts-size-and-strength-of-aging-muscles-improves-brain-health-/2023/02