A group of researchers at UT Health San Antonio has sounded the alarm on potential adverse effects of sticking to a long-term ketogenic diet, advising dieters to intermittently take "keto breaks," as continuous adherence could lead to the premature aging of cells. This aging could raise risks for vital organs such as the heart and kidneys, according to a new study published in the journal Science Advances on May 17, spotlighting a health concern for the millions of Americans committed to the high-fat, low-carbohydrate regimen, as per KSAT.
The study, led by David Gius, MD, PhD, consists of a stark warning: "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," the researcher and assistant dean of research at UT Health San Antonio told his institution's news service. The study does not just address the possibility of aged cells in the diet adherents but also explores the mitigating potential of senolytic drugs, which can target and break down old cells, and also found that intermittent dieting did not show the pro-inflammatory effects associated with cell aging.
While the keto diet promotes the generation of ketones, a chemical produced as fats break down, which can be beneficial for some health conditions and weight loss, it's the potential pro-inflammatory side effects that have raised concerns. The researched mice on different ketogenic diets, whether young or older, displayed cellular senescence across multiple organs but could eliminate the senescent cells with targeted treatment, or by simply taking a break from the diet, hence advocating for intermittent ketogenic practices over continuous ones.
With an annual research portfolio tipping over $413 million, UT Health San Antonio continues to pave the way in medical research in South Texas. This recent ketogenic diet study, spearheaded by researchers from various departments within the institution along with colleagues from the Houston Methodist Cancer Center and Research Institute, digs into the inner workings of how diets can affect our cells and ultimately our health, suggesting a dynamic approach to nutritional plans may in fact be far healthier than rigid adherence to a single method.
