Evidence suggests that ketogenic diets have particular mood elevating properties. In particular ketogenic diets have been consistently shown to stabilise convulsions, including epilepsy. It is not fully understood why ketogenic diets can stabilise convulsions but it is thought that the diets alter metabolic pathways and turn off aberrant energy pathways that are the cause of the convulsions. Ketogenic diets are classified as diets that contain a low intake of carbohydrate foods, and this results in elevated levels of the endogenous ketones, acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate, as well as their metabolite acetone. In the absence of glucose, these chemicals can supply a large proportions of the energy requirements of the body, including the brain. Fasting can also increase levels of ketones, and this may be another reason that fasting and modified fasting is able to stabilise mood. Ketogenic diets were made popular recently by the Atkins Diet, but the diets have been researched from as far back as the 1920’s.
It has been shown that refined starches and refined sugar are detrimental to neurochemistry and may increase the risk of mood disorders. Fasting has been shown to produce beneficial effects on mood, and this might relate to the fact that such diets limit or eliminate these refined carbohydrate foods. This causes a stabilising and lowering of blood sugar levels and this may stabilise mood. Fasting or modified fasting may also produce a lowering and stabilisation of blood sugar levels and this may explain the mood stabilising effect and neuroprotective effects of ketogenic diets. In ketosis the glucose analogue 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) causes a reduction in the flux through the glucose energy production pathway (glycolysis), and this compound has been shown to possess antiepileptic properties. As blood glucose levels drop, production of ketone bodies and acetone increase, and ketones have been shown to possess neuroprotective effects, through increases in ATP production in neurones, through the reduction in free radical production via changes in energy regulation and through changes to the permeability of mitochondrial membranes. Ketones may also stimulate the production of mitochondria, improving energy availability for synaptic communication. Ketogenic diets are therefore likely beneficial because they cause a reduction and stabilisation in blood glucose levels, and also because they increase the production of neuroprotective ketone bodies.
Based on studies to date, around 60 % of children with seizures experience a 50 % reduction in the frequency of seizures when following a ketogenic diet. Half of those that benefit will experience a 90 % reduction in seizure frequency. Adults may also respond well to the diet. Ketogenic diets are also effective at treating bipolar illness, which is often associated with a reduction is efficient glucose utilisation. Ketogenic diets increase cerebral energy by increasing cellular ATP production and this effect seems to stabilise the bipolar illness and have a positive effect on mood. Ketogenic diets can also improve the symptoms of autism in children, suggesting that energy utilisation may also be a contributory factor in this disorder. Ketogenic diets have also been shown to benefit some patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease by improving cognition. Migraine headache sufferers may also benefit from ketogenic diets. There is therefore now mounting evidence that supports the neuroprotective effects of ketogenic diets.
The beneficial effects of a low energy ketogenic diet in humans has been investigated. The subjects in one study experienced weight loss while following the diet and this was associated with significant improvements in mood. Therefore human studies support the animals models that have shown beneficial mood elevating properties for ketogenic diets. Nuts can be a useful addition to ketogenic diets because they are rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, but low
in carbohydrates.
Therefore ketogenic diets appear to have significant effects on brain chemistry, perhaps through changes in energy utilisation and this can significantly improve mood. The mood elevating effects of ketogenic diets have also been tested on animal models of depression. In one study, animals that were placed in an experimentally stressful condition lost hope much more quickly if they were eating a normal mixed diet, compared to those eating a ketogenic diet, suggesting there was a significant antidepressant effect for ketosis. The levels of ketones in the animals on the ketogenic diet were significantly higher compared to the normal diet group, suggesting that the ketones may have provided the observed antidepressant effects. Further, when pregnant mice were fed a ketogenic diet, it was shown that their offspring had a significant reduction in their susceptibility to anxiety and depression, suggesting that the ketogenic diet may have beneficial effects on brain development in mine in utero.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
