Joined: 9/4/2012
Posts: 469
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http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/mind-guest-blog/2013/10/01/the-fat-fueled-brain-unnatural-or-advantageous/#
A study with 23 elderly with mild cognitive impairment showed that a ketogenic diet improved verbal memory performance after 6 weeks compared to a standard high carbohydrate diet. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 152 patients with mild- to moderate Alzheimer’s disease were given either a ketogenic agent or a placebo, while maintaining a normal diet. 90 days later, those receiving the drug showed marked cognitive improvement compared to placebo, which was correlated with the level of ketones in the blood.
In a pilot study in 7 patients with Parkinson’s disease, 5 were able to stick to the diet for 28 days and showed marked reduction in their physical symptoms. In an animal model of Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a ketogenic diet also led to delayed motor neuron death and histological and functional improvements, although it did not increase life span; clinical trials are on the way.
We may be able to get the benefits of a ketogenic diet without going all the way to the paleo way of eating. Adding coconut oil & cutting back on carbohydrates somewhat is what Dr Mary Newport advocates.
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Joined: 12/20/2011
Posts: 217
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Thanks, Vita99.
Here's the abstract:
Neurobiol Aging. 2012 Feb;33(2):425.e19-27.
doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2010.10.006. Epub 2010 Dec 3.
Dietary ketosis enhances memory in mild cognitive impairment.
Source
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of
Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0559, USA. robert.krikorian@uc.edu
Abstract
We randomly assigned 23 older adults with mild cognitive impairment to either
a high carbohydrate or very low carbohydrate diet. Following the 6-week
intervention period, we observed improved verbal memory performance for the low carbohydrate subjects (p = 0.01) as well as reductions in weight (p <
0.0001), waist circumference (p < 0.0001), fasting glucose (p = 0.009), and
fasting insulin (p = 0.005). Level of depressive symptoms was not affected.
Change in calorie intake, insulin level, and weight were not correlated with
memory performance for the entire sample, although a trend toward a moderate
relationship between insulin and memory was observed within the low carbohydrate
group. Ketone levels were positively correlated with memory performance (p =
0.04). These findings indicate that very low carbohydrate consumption, even in the short term, can improve memory function in older adults with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. While this effect may be attributable in part to
correction of hyperinsulinemia, other mechanisms associated with ketosis such as
reduced inflammation and enhanced energy metabolism also may have contributed to improved neurocognitive function. Further investigation of this intervention is
warranted to evaluate its preventive potential and mechanisms of action in the
context of early neurodegeneration.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21130529/
Key quote from above: "Ketone levels were positively correlated with memory performance..."
My comment: So - since coconut oil and MCT oil both boost ketone levels, either of these 2 oils should boost memory, even without having to drastically slash one's carb consumption. Right?
As Vita99 says in the previous post:
"We may be able to get the benefits of a ketogenic diet without going all the way to the paleo way of eating. Adding coconut oil & cutting back on carbohydrates somewhat is what Dr Mary Newport advocates."
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Joined: 4/24/2012
Posts: 484
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Beautiful! Thanks for posting. This research supports and agrees with all the other things I have read concerning diet and dementia.
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Joined: 2/19/2016
Posts: 3
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Has anyone had specific personal experiences with high fat/ketogenic diet and loved ones?
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