What if you could change your diet to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s? A recent study concluded a modified Mediterranean ketogenic diet may decrease your risk of this horrible disease.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-04-mediterranean-ketogenic-diet-benefit-adults.html

Overview

The study was a small (n = 20) randomized trial with two groups, one group with normal cognitive health and the other with impaired cognitive health. The groups were randomly placed in either a Mediterranean ketogenic diet group or a low-fat, high carbohydrate diet group for six weeks. After that period, each group was given the same duration to “wash out” the diet they were following before being switched to the other diet option.

The study focused on measuring the health of the gut microbiome, specifically the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and of GABA-producing microbes, and showed the Mediterranean ketogenic diet modulated the GABA in a more effective way among people with impaired cognitive health.

Takeaway

The linkage between diet, gut health and immune health was brought into extreme focus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just like another recent study that showed promise in the ketogenic lifestyle helping people with multiple sclerosis, this study may help further understand how diet & gut health can be a significant contributor to sustained cognitive health. More research is needed, especially on a larger sample.