There’s no denying that what we eat has a significant impact on our physical health. But what about our mental health? The ketogenic diet, often cited for its ability to promote weight loss, hides an unexploited potential: the benefits for our mental health. So let’s get to it! Let’s discover the mental health benefits of the Keto diet.
Understanding the ketogenic diet
Before diving into the impact of the keto diet on mental health, it’s essential to understand what this diet really is. The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that encourages the body to enter a state of ketosis. This is a metabolic state in which the body burns fat instead of carbohydrates for energy.
The link between the Keto diet and mental health
There are a multitude of studies demonstrating the positive impact of the ketogenic diet on mental health. This is partly because the brain is a very energy-hungry organ, and ketones provide a more stable and longer-lasting source of energy than carbohydrates.
Depression and the Keto diet
The link between the ketogenic diet and depression is a subject of growing interest in the scientific community. Depression is often associated with an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters play a key role in regulating mood, and their imbalance can lead to symptoms of depression.
The ketogenic diet, through its unique mechanism of action, appears to have the ability toinfluence these neurotransmitters. Ketosis, a metabolic state induced by the ketogenic diet, leads to the production of several by-products known as ketone bodies. One category of these ketone bodies, called polyamines, has been shown in several studies to have an impact on serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain.
In addition, the ketogenic diet also appears to influence other biochemical pathways that could have an effect on depression. For example, it has been suggested that the diet may help to reduce chronic inflammation, a factor that has been associated with depression. Although more research is needed to confirm these findings, the existing data suggest that the ketogenic diet could offer a new approach to the treatment of depression.
Anxiety and the Keto diet
Anxiety is another psychological condition where the ketogenic diet shows great potential. A study published in the Journal of Physiology and Behaviour found that mice fed a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet exhibited less anxious behaviour.
Although it is true that these results were obtained in animal models and cannot be directly transferred to humans, they provide an interesting insight into the potential mechanisms by which the ketogenic diet could affect anxiety. The researchers suggest that the anxiolytic effect of the ketogenic diet could be due to several factors, including an increase in the availability of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating anxiety. In addition, the ketone bodies produced during ketosis may help to protect neurons against stress, thereby reducing the oxidative and inflammatory damage that can contribute to anxiety.
Keto diet and cognitive performance
The ketogenic diet not only improves mood, but may also increase cognitive performance. Research has shown that people following a ketogenic diet improved their cognitive function, including working memory, processing speed and cognitive flexibility.
Focus and mental clarity
Mental clarity and focus are two essential aspects of cognitive well-being. Many ketogenic dieters report significant improvements in these areas, and the science seems to support these claims.
The brain needs a constant supply of energy to function properly. Unlike carbohydrates, which often cause peaks and troughs in blood glucose levels (and therefore brain energy), ketones provide a more stable and constant source of energy. This is because the body, when in ketosis, has an almost unlimited supply of energy in the form of stored fat. This phenomenon could explain why so many people report improved mental clarity and concentration when they follow a ketogenic diet.
Further research is underway to explore this link between the ketogenic diet and improved concentration. However, anecdotal and preliminary evidence suggests that the ketogenic diet may be a valuable tool for improving mental clarity and concentration.
Improved memory
In addition to improving concentration, the ketogenic diet has also been associated with an improvement in memory, particularly in older people with mild cognitive impairment. Memory, like all cognitive functions, depends on the health of neurons and their ability to communicate effectively. The ketogenic diet appears to have a beneficial effect on neuronal health. In particular, the ketone bodies produced during ketosis have a neuroprotective effect, which could help preserve and improve neuronal function.
Several studies have shown that elderly people with mild cognitive impairment who follow a ketogenic diet have an improvement in their memory and other aspects of cognitive function. The exact mechanisms of this effect are not yet fully understood, but they may involve a reduction in inflammation, an improvement in energy efficiency and an increase in the production of certain neuroprotective proteins.
Long-term effects of the Keto diet on mental health
It is important to stress that most research into the ketogenic diet and mental health is still at a preliminary stage. Although the results are promising, longer-term studies are still needed to determine the long-term effects of this diet on mental health.
Adapting to a new lifestyle
One of the main challenges of the ketogenic diet is that it requires a long-term commitment. It generally takes several weeks for the body to adapt to this new diet, and this period can be difficult for some people. However, once the body has adapted, many report a significant improvement in their mental well-being.
FAQ
What is the ketogenic diet?
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that encourages the body to burn fat for energy.
Can the ketogenic diet improve mental health?
Preliminary research suggests that the ketogenic diet may have positive effects on mental health, notably by improving mood and cognitive function.
How does the ketogenic diet affect the brain?
The brain uses ketones as an energy source when carbohydrates are limited. This can provide a more stable source of energy for the brain, which can improve concentration and mental clarity.
What are the challenges of the ketogenic diet?
The ketogenic diet requires a long-term commitment and a major lifestyle change. It can be difficult for some people to follow and it is advisable to consult a health professional before starting.
Sources
Depression and the keto diet :
- Murphy, P., & Burnham, W. M. (2006). The ketogenic diet causes a reversible decrease in activity level in Long-Evans rats. Experimental Neurology, 201(1), 84-89.
- Luscher, B., Shen, Q., & Sahir, N. (2011). The GABAergic deficit hypothesis of major depressive disorder. Molecular Psychiatry, 16(4), 383-406.
Anxiety and the Keto diet :
- Pacheco, A., Easterling, W. S., & Pryer, M. W. (2017). A diet high in fat and sugar reverses anxiety-like … Physiology & Behavior, 176, 139-148.
- Ma, D., Wang, A. C., Parikh, I., Green, S. J., Hoffman, J. D., Chlipala, G., … & Dziabis, J. E. (2018). Ketogenic diet enhances neurovascular function with altered gut microbiome in young healthy mice. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 1-12.
Focus and mental clarity:
- Gano, L. B., Patel, M., & Rho, J. M. (2014). Ketogenic diets, mitochondria, and neurological diseases. Journal of Lipid Research, 55(11), 2211-2228.
Memory enhancement :
- Krikorian, R., Shidler, M. D., Dangelo, K., Couch, S. C., Benoit, S. C., & Clegg, D. J. (2012). Dietary ketosis enhances memory in mild cognitive impairment. Neurobiology of Aging, 33(2), 425-e19.
