Wake Forest University School of Medicine experts have been busy doing interesting research.
They say a special kind of diet called the Mediterranean-based ketogenic diet might help keep Alzheimer’s disease away. This diet includes lots of healthy fats and protein, but not many carbs.
Why is Alzheimer’s Disease a Big Deal?
Alzheimer’s disease is a serious problem for many older people. It makes it hard for them to remember things. The Alzheimer’s Association tells us that over 6.5 million Americans have this disease.
Plus, one in three seniors dies of Alzheimer’s or a similar disease. That’s why scientists are working hard to find ways to stop it.
What is a Mediterranean-Based Ketogenic Diet?
A ketogenic diet, or “keto” diet, is high in fat, has a fair amount of protein, and very few carbs. The word “ketogenic” comes from “ketones,” which are tiny fuel molecules.
When we don’t have enough carbs, our bodies start to burn ketones for energy.
When we say “Mediterranean-based,” we mean this diet is inspired by the foods people eat in countries like Greece and Italy. It includes lots of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and fish.
How Did They Do This Study?
In this study, the scientists worked with 20 adults. Some of them had mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which means they had a bit of trouble thinking clearly but didn’t have full-blown Alzheimer’s. The others were totally healthy.
The scientists split these people into two groups. One group followed the Mediterranean keto diet, and the other group followed a low-fat, high-carb diet.
They did this for six weeks. Then they took a break for another six weeks. After the break, they switched diets.
The scientists took samples of their poop before and after each diet. They did this to look at the bacteria living in their bellies.
What Did They Find?
The scientists found that the people with MCI who followed the Mediterranean keto diet had fewer GABA-producing bacteria.
GABA is a special chemical in our brains that helps us relax. When we don’t have enough GABA, it can lead to Alzheimer’s.
They also found that the people with MCI on the Mediterranean keto diet had more bacteria that help regulate GABA.
Plus, when these people ate curcumin—a spice found in curry—they had fewer BSH-containing bacteria. These bacteria help control bile acids, which help us digest fats.
Scientists think these changes in belly bacteria might be helping to keep Alzheimer’s at bay. But they say they need to do more research to be sure.
What’s Next?
The scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine are excited about these findings. They hope they can help develop new ways to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s.
They think understanding how our diet, brain, and gut bacteria are all connected might be the key. They plan to keep exploring this in future studies.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about how unhealthy blood pressure increases your dementia risk, and vitamin B12 deficiency may increase risk of Alzheimer’s.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that cranberries could help boost memory, and food pyramid and activities could help prevent Alzheimer’s.
The study was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
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