Modified Mediterranean ketogenic diet may benefit adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease (Keto reduces GABA, curcumin w/low fat hurts bile)

Medical Xpress / Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist / Alzheimer's & Dementia ^ | April 5, 2023 | Amanda Hazel Dilmore et al

[ConservativeMind]

Following a Mediterranean-based ketogenic diet may decrease the risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study.

Researchers compared a low-fat diet with a diet consisting of healthy fats/protein and low carbohydrates—the modified Mediterranean ketogenetic diet—and found that the modified diet showed robust changes in a biological pathway that is linked to Alzheimer's disease.

This builds upon previous research showing that a modified ketogenic diet may prove beneficial in the prevention of cognitive decline.

The randomized, single-site study involved 20 adults, nine diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 11 with normal cognition. These participants were randomly assigned to follow either the low-carbohydrate modified Mediterranean-ketogenic diet or a low-fat, higher carbohydrate diet for six weeks then, after a six-week "washout" period, to switch to the other diet.

Stool samples were collected from participants at the beginning and end of each diet period, and six weeks after the washout of the second diet to analyze changes in gut microbiome—the good and bad bacteria that live in the gastrointestinal tract.

Researchers found that participants with MCI on the modified Mediterranean ketogenic diet had lower levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and of GABA-producing microbes. Participants also had higher levels of GABA-regulating bacteria. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and GABA dysfunction is associated with neuropsychiatric conditions including Alzheimer's disease.

"Our study is the first to show that diet modulates GABA differently in MCI," Craft said.

The study also showed that participants with MCI who had curcumin in their diets also had lower levels of BSH-containing bacteria. These bacteria regulate bile acids produced by the liver and gut. Lower levels suggest reduced gut motility, a phenomenon in which food and waste take longer to transit the gut. Abnormal bile acid profiles have been observed in adults with Alzheimer's disease.

[ConservativeMind]

A Keto-based Mediterranean diet helps mild cognitive impairment, while a low fat diet created bile salt issues in the gut, hurting the patients. The influence of diet seemed tied to just food and gut bacteria, for each benefit and detriment.

Reconciling the write up with the study (freely available), was confusing, so I hope I got this down well:

[ConservativeMind]

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[tired&retired]

It’s not the confusing complex wording, it’s my impaired cognitive ability.

🤪

[Nervous Tick]

>> It’s not the confusing complex wording, it’s my impaired cognitive ability.

You’re too kind.

But no, it’s the complex, bullshitty wording.

[ConservativeMind]

The article brought together two considerations in a clunky way.

The low fat diet in the study of those already with cognitive impairment was found to have dysfunctional features due, as the authors noted by the byproduct in the feces, to curcumin in the food, from a changed ratio of gut bacteria.

Curcumin did not cause the issue when part of the high fat diet (Keto Mediterranean).

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[COSIllinois]

SO, I READ THE FINE PRINT OF THE PUBLISHERS! Here you go, You are Welcome folks:

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[AppyPappy]

Or you could just quit drinking so f’n much

I have one friend who just drank herself into early Dementia. Smoking also didn’t help. Another friend was in a car wreck with a small amount of brain injury which resulted in him being unable to speak when he was drunk. Both were deep in dementia in their late 40’s.

[Captainpaintball]

Help me out...I’m a dummy. I take GABA pills in the morning for, well, my brain. These guys are saying GABA is BAD?

[ConservativeMind]

The problem with GABA seems to be with a strange dysregulation that occurs with people who have Alzheimer's. It appears GABA is not going where it would normally be needed:

https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms5159

This study appears to have found that beneficial bacteria help regulate GABA and these can be enhanced through a low carb diet.

I don't think this specific concern impacts people who aren't presently on a path toward Alzheimer's, starting with Mild Cognitive Impairment, at least with how this article scopes the work.

Do note this study did deep review of fecal samples and not blood, from what I read.

[ConservativeMind]

That is sad and frustrating to read.

I really don’t see a benefit to drinking. It’s strictly a social thing the I, and my friends and family, do not do.

[Albion Wilde]

Curcumin did not cause the issue when part of the high fat diet (Keto Mediterranean).

I'm glad you clariified that, because turmeric and ginger are so widely recommended for arthritis or inflammation.

[Albion Wilde]

Found this article on the modified Med. Keto diet:

The MMKD is still a high-fat and low-carb diet, but it’s not focused on very low carbs and saturated fats - the addition of components of the Mediterranean diet ensures that.

Traditional keto diet:
60-75% calories from fats
15-30% calories from protein
5-10% calories from carbohydrates

Modified keto diet:
50% calories from fats
30% from protein
20% from carbs.

• Fish: eat every day, making up half your animal protein intake.
• Chicken, turkey, eggs, shrimp, lobster and pork can be consumed.
• Olives and olive oil (extra-virgin and virgin) eat daily.
• Nuts and seeds, wide variety.
• Vegetables and fruits, widest variety possible (these are the major sources of carb intake in this diet).
• Cheese, butter, full-fat milk and other dairy products.
• A glass of red wine or red grape juice daily.
• Black coffee, black tea in moderation, without sugar.

[ConservativeMind]

Understand these things may only be a problem with those with early to late Alzheimer’s issues.

[ckilmer]

The low fat diet in the study of those already with cognitive impairment was found to have dysfunctional features due, as the authors noted by the byproduct in the feces, to curcumin in the food, from a changed ratio of gut bacteria.
///////

I’m not clear here as to what you mean.

Can you rewrite this sentence. Maybe break it up into several sentences.