Keto And Anxiety: Is It A Safe Diet?

The ketogenic diet is a popular, controversial, high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan that is said to aid weight loss. The diet works by limiting carbohydrates, prompting the body to burn fat for fuel and enter a state of ketosis. While the keto diet can be beneficial for weight loss, it may not be the smartest choice for people with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

There is no scientific evidence that the keto diet can help people manage gout. However, since the keto diet can help reduce weight, which can worsen inflammatory arthritis, it may be beneficial. Research has shown that the keto diet can increase inflammation markers, which can make joint pain worse.

The Mediterranean diet, which is plant-based and includes lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains, is often recommended for people with RA. The Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut.

Ketogenic diets may have an impact on the formation and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are prevalent in older people, and their rupture is associated with high mortality. There is currently no effective medical therapy for AAA rupture. The monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1)/C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) axis critically regulates AAA inflammation, matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP) production, and extracellular matrix (ECM) stability.

A study on Sprague-Dawley rats found that a ketogenic diet led to a significant reduction in AAA expansion and incidence of rupture. Ketosis also led to significantly reduced aortic CCR2 content, improved MMP balance, and reduced ECM degradation.

In another study, a ketogenic diet was found to decrease AAA macrophage infiltration, CCR2-mediated inflammation, and reduced AAA expansion and rupture.

A separate study found that a ketogenic diet can significantly decrease aortic wall pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα and RANTES, as well as increase aortic wall collagen content.

A ketogenic diet may have an impact on the formation and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms by reducing inflammation and ECM degradation, thereby stabilising AAA tissue and reducing the risk of rupture.

Ketogenic diets can be used to treat epilepsy

The ketogenic diet has been used to treat epilepsy for almost a century. Russel Wilder first used the diet to treat epilepsy in 1921, and it enjoyed a place in the medical world as a therapeutic diet for paediatric epilepsy for almost a decade. The diet is typically used for children whose seizures have not responded to several different seizure medications.

The ketogenic diet is a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. It is stricter than the modified Atkins diet, requiring careful measurements of calories, fluids, and proteins. Foods are weighed and measured. The diet is carefully calculated and monitored by a doctor and a licensed dietitian.

The diet works by producing ketones in the body. Usually, the body uses carbohydrates as its primary source of energy. However, because the ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrates, fats become the primary fuel instead. The body can work very well on ketones and fats.

Several studies have shown that the ketogenic diet does reduce or prevent seizures in many children whose seizures could not be controlled by medications. Over half of the children who go on the diet have at least a 50% reduction in the number of their seizures. Some children, usually 10-15%, even become seizure-free.

The ketogenic diet has been shown to be particularly helpful for some epilepsy conditions, including infantile spasms, Rett syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, Dravet syndrome, Doose syndrome, and GLUT-1 deficiency. The diet works well for children with focal seizures, but may be less likely to lead to an immediate seizure-free result.

The ketogenic diet is not recommended as a primary anti-seizure option because patients are often averse to drastic changes in their food intake or have trouble staying on the diet due to its strict requirements and potential side effects like nausea, constipation, and fatigue. However, it can be a valuable treatment option for epilepsy, especially in cases that do not respond to medications.

Ketogenic diets may be beneficial for those with Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S., with around 6.2 million Americans living with the disease in 2021. As of yet, there is no cure for the disease, but there is hope that a ketogenic diet (KD) could reduce the cognitive and quality-of-life decline experienced by patients.

The Ketogenic Diet

The goal of a KD is to reduce the body's reliance on glucose as fuel for the brain and instead use ketones. Since AD could reduce the number and function of glucose transporters in the brain, ketones could provide an alternative energy source.

The Effects of Ketogenic Diets on Alzheimer's Disease

Several studies have shown that a KD can improve the cognitive abilities and quality of life of patients with mild to severe AD. Improvements were seen in several types of memory and overall cognitive function. However, more research is needed to determine the exact cause of these improvements.

One study found that a modified Atkins diet with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) improved the cognitive abilities of patients with mild to severe AD. Another study found that a Mediterranean diet with coconut oil (which also contains MCTs) improved cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate AD. These studies suggest that MCTs may be the key factor in improving cognition in AD patients.

A different study found that a 40-gram dose of caprylidene, which also induced ketosis, increased blood flow to several areas of the brain in patients with mild to moderate AD. This could indicate that future studies could show improvements in cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain.

Problems with Dropout

One issue with assuming that all AD patients will react positively to KDs is that patients with APOE e4 alleles were excluded from some studies, or showed little improvement when included. This suggests that the potential positive effects of a KD on AD patients may be limited to those without the APOE e4 allele.

Additionally, there were high dropout rates in some studies, mainly due to gastrointestinal issues caused by ingesting MCTs. This indicates that a KD that includes high amounts of MCTs might not be practical for AD patients.

In conclusion, a KD has the potential to improve the cognitive function of patients with AD and improve their quality of life. However, more research is needed to determine the exact cause of the improvements and whether MCTs or ketosis itself is the main factor.

Ketogenic diets may help with brain aneurysm-related headaches

The ketogenic diet has been shown to be neuroprotective in animal models of several central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, hypoxia, glutamate toxicity, ischemia, and traumatic brain injury.

The ketogenic diet is composed of 80-90% fat and provides adequate protein but limited carbohydrates. In normal metabolism, carbohydrates in food are converted into glucose, which is the body’s preferred energy source. However, when the body is deprived of carbohydrates, it enters a state of ketosis, where fatty acids are favoured and the liver converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies that serve as an alternative fuel for brain cells.

Ketone bodies can cross the blood-brain barrier and provide an alternative source of energy to the brain. This may be why the ketogenic diet has been shown to have such positive effects on brain function.

One person who suffered a brain aneurysm reported that they no longer experienced any headaches after starting the keto diet. They also received a miraculous report on the CT and CTA tests of their brain, which showed normal results and no new aneurysms. Their doctors were amazed and they plan to continue with the diet.

Another person whose father suffered a brain aneurysm asked if the keto diet could help and requested more details. This suggests that the keto diet may be a promising area of investigation for helping with brain aneurysm-related headaches, although more research is needed.

Ketogenic diets may be beneficial for those with traumatic brain injuries

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that has been shown to be neuroprotective in animal models of several central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). The diet is thought to provide an alternative and readily usable energy source for the brain, which may promote recovery and reduce the brain's dependence on glucose metabolism, which can be impaired following a TBI.

Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet for Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery

Animal studies have shown that ketogenic diets can improve recovery from TBI by decreasing oxidative stress, increasing antioxidants, and scavenging free radicals. These processes are essential for promoting brain healing. Additionally, ketogenic diets have been proven effective in reducing seizures, which are common following a TBI.

Potential Complications of a Ketogenic Diet for Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery

Some potential complications of a ketogenic diet for TBI recovery include:

• "Keto flu," which includes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, and difficulties sleeping
• Increased risk of developing ketoacidosis, a dangerous condition where the blood becomes too acidic, for individuals with diabetes
• Restrictive nature of the diet, which may be stressful and difficult to adhere to

The ketogenic diet holds promise for individuals with TBI, but further controlled human studies are needed to confirm its efficacy. The diet may provide an alternative source of fuel for the brain and reduce seizures, but any major dietary changes can also cause adverse side effects. It is essential to consult with a doctor before adopting a ketogenic diet for TBI recovery to ensure it is safe and appropriate for the individual's specific condition.

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