The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia is expected to triple by 2050. Previous studies have linked high blood lipid levels to an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at the University of California, Davis conducted a study on female rat models to investigate the effects of a ketogenic diet on blood levels of tau protein, which accumulates in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s. The study, published in the journal Aging, found that the keto diet significantly decreased blood levels of tau protein and blood lipid levels in the animal models.
Jennifer Rutkowsky, PhD, an associate project scientist at UC Davis, emphasized the need to identify strategies to improve cognitive behavior, motor function, and blood lipids in an effort to increase healthy life expectancy in humans. The keto diet, known for its potential memory-improving benefits in mouse models of Alzheimer’s, was the focus of this study. The researchers examined the impact of continuous versus intermittent keto diets on rat models of Alzheimer’s disease. Both types of keto diets resulted in decreased blood lipid levels in the rats, but did not show improvement in spatial learning memory or motor coordination compared to rats on a control diet.
The next steps in the research involve determining if the ketogenic diet alters markers of pathology and cellular processes related to disease progression in Alzheimer’s. Translation of the study findings to humans would involve consuming a ketogenic diet or ketone supplement before major disease symptoms develop. Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist, emphasized that the keto diet is an effective therapeutic option for specific medical conditions when monitored by a healthcare team, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Richard highlighted the importance of meeting macro- and micronutrient needs and the potential negative consequences of long-term ketogenic diet use on liver function and digestive health.
Richard also emphasized the importance of proper nutrition in supporting brain health and raising concerns about the long-term effects of a ketogenic diet on colon cancer risk and digestive health. The study concluded that a ketogenic diet may have beneficial effects on blood lipid levels and tau protein levels in the blood of rats with genetic susceptibility to late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are hopeful that these findings can be translated to humans in order to slow or mitigate aspects of the disease onset and progression, although further long-term studies are needed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a ketogenic diet in humans.