Ketogenic diet in neurodegenerative disease treatment

At the root of many neurodegenerative diseases lies a disruption of mitochondrial function.

Mitochondria are the cell's main "factory" for the production of energy. For this reason, neurons in which a disruption of the function of these organelles is observed suffer considerably: their excitation/inhibition functions are impaired, the production of pathological molecules — including reactive oxygen species — increases, which frequently leads to the death of the cell. Depending on the predominant zone of damage, this may manifest in the clinical picture as dementias, impairment of motor and sensory functions, and coordination disorders.

On the ketogenic diet, the influence on these pathological processes occurs through 2 main factors: the action of the ketone bodies themselves and the effects of reducing the level of glucose consumed.

Ketone bodies influence the processes of excitation and inhibition of the neuron both through a direct influence on the receptor and through an influence on neurotransmitter metabolism. In addition, the reduction of glucose consumption and the ketone bodies prevent the development of neuronal inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory factors and the production of reactive oxygen species, thereby producing a neuroprotective effect.

For this reason, the use of the ketogenic diet is possible in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, other dementias, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative diseases.