The Ketogenic Diet: 1 Hopeful Aid for Alzheimer's Disease - Linda Verjus

The Ketogenic Diet: 1 Hopeful Aid for Alzheimer’s Disease

Date

10.03.25

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. These abnormal protein deposits lead to neuronal damage, inflammation, and decreased brain function. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s typically develop gradually and worsen over time, affecting memory, reasoning, language, and ultimately the ability to carry out daily activities.

While the exact causes of Alzheimer’s are still being studied, several factors contribute to its development, including:

Genetics: A family history of Alzheimer’s increases the risk.
Chronic Inflammation: Persistent inflammation in the brain can accelerate neuronal damage.
Insulin Resistance: The brain’s impaired ability to use glucose is often referred to as “Type 3 Diabetes.”
Oxidative Stress: Damage from free radicals contributes to neurodegeneration.

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but lifestyle interventions, including diet, may play a crucial role in prevention and management.

Alzheimer’s and the Ketogenic Diet

When you or someone you love is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), it can be an overwhelming journey. The gradual memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior can be difficult to cope with, not just for the person living with Alzheimer’s, but also for their caregivers and family members. As researchers continue to explore new ways to manage the condition, one approach that has been gaining attention is the ketogenic diet.

Originally developed to help manage seizures in people with epilepsy, the ketogenic diet has recently shown potential in improving brain health and cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer’s. In this post, we’ll explore what the ketogenic diet is, how it may help people with Alzheimer’s, what the research says, and how it might fit into a comprehensive care plan for you or your loved one.

What is the Ketogenic Diet?

The ketogenic diet, often referred to as “keto,” is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan that shifts the body’s primary energy source from glucose (sugar) to fat. When you eat fewer carbohydrates, your body starts breaking down fat into molecules called ketones. These ketones are then used as an alternative fuel for the body, including the brain.

This metabolic state, where the body primarily relies on ketones for energy, is called ketosis. For most people, the body gets energy from glucose, which comes from the carbohydrates we eat. But for people with Alzheimer’s, the brain may not be able to use glucose as effectively, which is where the ketogenic diet might help. By using ketones as an alternative energy source, the brain may function more efficiently, potentially slowing the progress of Alzheimer’s symptoms.

The typical macronutrient breakdown for a ketogenic diet is:

70-80% Fat (e.g., avocados, coconut oil, olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish)
15-20% Protein (e.g., meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy)
5-10% Carbohydrates (e.g., leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and berries in moderation)

How Could the Ketogenic Diet Help with Alzheimer’s?

While the ketogenic diet is best known for its weight loss and epilepsy benefits, research has begun to explore its effects on cognitive health and Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that leads to memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with everyday tasks. The disease is caused by the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain, which disrupt communication between brain cells.

The ketogenic diet may offer a few benefits for people living with Alzheimer’s:

1. Provides an Alternative Fuel Source for the Brain

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease is glucose hypometabolism, meaning that the brain has difficulty utilizing glucose for energy. Since ketones do not rely on insulin for uptake, they can bypass this metabolic dysfunction and provide an alternative energy source, helping to maintain brain function. By providing a steady supply of ketones, the ketogenic diet may help ensure that the brain has the energy it needs to function, even when glucose metabolism is disrupted.

2. Reduces Brain Inflammation

Alzheimer’s disease is associated with inflammation in the brain. Chronic inflammation can damage brain cells and contribute to the progression of the disease. The ketogenic diet has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, and early studies suggest that it might do the same in the brain. By lowering inflammation, the ketogenic diet could help protect brain cells and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.

3. Supporting Memory and Learning

Research has shown that ketones can help improve memory and cognitive function in various ways. For example, ketones may improve the communication between brain cells (neurons) by supporting the function of the mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of the cells. Mitochondria are responsible for producing the energy that cells need to function, and when they are not functioning properly, brain cells can become damaged. By improving mitochondrial function, the ketogenic diet may help support memory, learning, and other cognitive abilities in people with Alzheimer’s.

4. Protecting Brain Cells

The ketogenic diet has also been shown to have neuroprotective effects, which means it can help protect brain cells from damage and degeneration. One way it does this is by reducing the buildup of amyloid-beta plaques, which are one of the hallmark signs of Alzheimer’s disease. These plaques form when a protein called amyloid-beta accumulates in the brain, disrupting communication between neurons. By reducing the accumulation of amyloid-beta, the ketogenic diet may help protect brain cells and slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s.

5. Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Reduces the Risk of “Type 3 Diabetes”

Insulin resistance in the brain is often linked to Alzheimer’s, leading some researchers to call it “Type 3 Diabetes.” The ketogenic diet helps regulate blood sugar levels, enhances insulin sensitivity, and reduces the risk of diabetes-related cognitive decline. By stabilizing blood glucose, it prevents the damaging effects of insulin resistance on brain cells.

6. Calms the Brain and Reduces Anxiety

The ketogenic diet helps boost the production of a brain chemical called GABA. GABA helps calm the brain and keeps it from becoming too excited or overstimulated. This can be helpful for people with Alzheimer’s, as it may reduce symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, and confusion.

What Does the Research Say about Alzheimer’s and Keto?

The potential of the ketogenic diet for Alzheimer’s has piqued the interest of researchers, and while more studies are needed, early research has shown some promising results. Here’s a look at what the research says so far.

Animal Studies:

Most of the early research on the ketogenic diet and Alzheimer’s has been conducted on animals, specifically mice. Several studies have shown that a ketogenic diet can help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice. For example, one study at the University of California, Davis, found that a ketogenic diet delayed early memory decline in mice with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. The mice that followed the diet showed preserved brain function and less damage to brain cells compared to mice that didn’t follow the diet.

Other animal studies have shown that the ketogenic diet can help reduce the buildup of amyloid-beta plaques in the brain. In one study published in Communications Biology, researchers found that a key component of the ketogenic diet, a molecule called β-hydroxybutyrate, could help protect synapses (the connections between brain cells) from damage caused by amyloid-beta.

Human Studies:

While animal studies are helpful, human studies are necessary to understand how the ketogenic diet might work in people with Alzheimer’s. So far, human research is limited, but there are some encouraging results.

One study, called the Ketogenic Diet Retention and Feasibility Trial (KDRAFT), looked at how a ketogenic diet affected people with mild Alzheimer’s disease. The participants followed the diet for 12 weeks, and at the end of the trial, many of them showed significant improvements on cognitive tests. While these improvements were not permanent (they faded when participants returned to their regular diets), the results suggest that the ketogenic diet could have a positive effect on brain function in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

Another study found that people with mild Alzheimer’s had an easier time sticking to the ketogenic diet compared to people in later stages of the disease. This suggests that the diet might be most beneficial when started early, before significant cognitive decline has occurred.

Is the Ketogenic Diet Right for You?

If you’re considering the ketogenic diet for you or your loved one with Alzheimer’s, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s experience with the diet will be different. Not all individuals with Alzheimer’s will respond to the ketogenic diet in the same way, and it’s crucial to work with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet.

The ketogenic diet may be most effective in the early stages of Alzheimer’s when cognitive decline is still mild. In these stages, the brain is still capable of benefiting from the alternative energy source provided by ketones. However, it’s important to note that the ketogenic diet is not a cure for Alzheimer’s, and it won’t stop the disease from progressing entirely.

The ketogenic diet can be used as part of a comprehensive care plan with a functional medicine practitioner that includes other strategies for managing Alzheimer’s, such as regular physical exercise, mental stimulation, social engagement, and managing other health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.

The ketogenic diet offers a promising alternative approach to managing Alzheimer’s disease. While more research is needed to fully understand how it works and how best to implement it, early studies have shown encouraging results. By providing the brain with a more efficient energy source and reducing inflammation, the ketogenic diet may help slow cognitive decline, improve memory, and protect brain cells from damage.

If you’re considering the ketogenic diet for you or a loved one with Alzheimer’s, it’s important to approach it as part of a broader, holistic care plan, and always consult with healthcare professionals to ensure it’s the right choice. While it’s not a cure, the ketogenic diet may be one tool to help improve quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s.

If you’re interested in learning more about how this diet along with a holistic approach to your health might help with Alzheimer’s or cognitive decline, let’s schedule a free consultation to discuss.