Long-term ketogenic diets can lead to aged cells in vital organs, but intermittent keto with regular breaks prevents these negative impacts.
A strict “keto-friendly” diet is popular for weight loss and diabetes. However, depending on both the diet and the individual, it might not be all that friendly.
New research found that a continuous long-term ketogenic diet may induce senescence, or aged, cells in normal tissues, with effects on heart and kidney function in particular. However, an intermittent ketogenic diet, with a planned keto vacation or break, did not exhibit any pro-inflammatory effects due to aged cells. This is according to the study, which was led by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio).
The findings have significant clinical implications suggesting that the beneficial effect of a ketogenic diet might be enhanced by planned breaks.
“To put this in perspective, 13 million Americans use a ketogenic diet, and we are saying that you need to take breaks from this diet or there could be long-term consequences,” said David Gius, MD, PhD, assistant dean of research and professor with the Department of Radiation Oncology in the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio, and associate cancer director for translational research at the institution’s Mays Cancer Center.
He is lead author of the new study titled, “Ketogenic diet induces p53-dependent cellular senescence in multiple organs,” published on May 17 in the journal DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado1463
UT Health San Antonio is the largest academic research institution in South Texas with an annual research portfolio of $413 million.