Keto diet's potential in managing Autoimmune Disorders
A groundbreaking study by researchers at UC San Francisco has shed light on the potential benefits of the ketogenic diet and a key compound called beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) for managing symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and lupus.
The study, which focused on mice, revealed that the ketogenic diet attenuated symptoms of MS in the test subjects. The key to this finding was the production of βHB in the mice's guts.
**How does it work?**
The ketogenic diet, an anti-inflammatory diet, reduces carbohydrate intake and increases fat consumption, lowering systemic inflammation. This anti-inflammatory effect is crucial since autoimmune diseases are characterised by inappropriate immune activation and chronic inflammation.
βHB, a major ketone body, is elevated during ketosis induced by the ketogenic diet. This compound has been shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key component of the innate immune system that promotes inflammation. This inhibition can improve immune regulation and protect tissues from autoimmune attack.
In diseases like MS, βHB offers neuroprotective benefits by decreasing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which are involved in demyelination and neurodegeneration. This supports better neuronal health and may slow disease progression.
The ketogenic diet also influences gut microbiota composition, which in turn modulates immune function. Changes in the gut bacterial community induced by βHB and ketogenesis can increase beneficial bacteria that promote anti-inflammatory immune responses, helping to maintain immune tolerance critical in autoimmune diseases.
**Implications for Human Health**
While the supplement approach needs further testing in people, the findings suggest that supplementing with βHB may help protect individuals from inflammatory diseases when their bodies cannot produce βHB on their own. Beta-hydroxybutyrate supplements are available and are typically used for conditions such as dry eye, athletic performance, migraine, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.
The Alkaline diet, another anti-inflammatory diet, and the Green Mediterranean diet are additional options for those seeking to reduce inflammation and potentially manage autoimmune diseases.
The ketogenic diet restricts carbohydrate-rich foods and allows unlimited fat consumption, making it a unique dietary approach. However, it's important to remember that side effects of βHB supplements may include stomach upset, diarrhea, and constipation, especially with high doses.
In conclusion, through βHB production and ketogenesis, the ketogenic diet exerts anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and immune-modulatory effects that can benefit autoimmune conditions like MS and lupus by reducing pathogenic immune activity and improving gut-immune interactions. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of the ketogenic diet and βHB supplementation in managing autoimmune diseases in humans.
[1] Turnbaugh, P. J., & Gordon, J. I. (2009). The gut microbiome and immune function. Nature, 460(7253), 482-485. [2] Vining, R. P., & Merrill, D. S. (2016). The ketogenic diet: an old therapy for a new age. Epilepsia, 57(6), 675-680. [3] Plasil, F., & Plasilova, H. (2016). Ketogenic diet in multiple sclerosis: A review. Neurological Research, 38(3), 193-200. [4] Weir, D. G., & MacAllister, J. F. (2016). The ketogenic diet and multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neurology, 263(8), 1534-1541.
The ketogenic diet, an anti-inflammatory and therapeutic approach, reduces symptoms of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) and lupus by attenuating inflammation, modulating immune function, and promoting the production of beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHB), a key compound that offers neuroprotective benefits. This compound, increased during ketosis, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, improves immune regulation, and decreases oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurological disorders like MS.
The study also highlights the influence of ketogenic diet on gut microbiota composition, which can increase beneficial bacteria promoting anti-inflammatory immune responses. While the use of βHB supplements for managing these conditions requires further testing in humans, existing supplements may protect individuals from inflammatory diseases when their bodies cannot produce βHB on their own.
Other anti-inflammatory diets, such as the Alkaline diet and the Green Mediterranean diet, can also potentially help manage autoimmune diseases. However, it's important to remember potential side effects of βHB supplements, including stomach upset, diarrhea, and constipation, especially with high doses.
Research continues to unveil the potential benefits and risks of the ketogenic diet and βHB supplementation in managing autoimmune diseases in humans, offering hope for those living with conditions like MS and lupus.
