Sit down, but not for long
Scientists have discovered the contradictory effect of the ketogenic diet
American scientists have found out that the ketogenic diet, which is popular all over the world, brings only short-term results. With its long-term use, negative consequences appear, which the body is not so easy to cope with. The results of the study are described in the journal Nature Metabolism (Goldberg et al., Ketogenesis activates metabolically protective γδ T cells in visceral adipose tissue).
The ketogenic diet, which provides 99 percent of calories from fats and only 1 percent from carbohydrates, is becoming increasingly popular in the world. Many celebrities advertise it as an effective way to lose weight.
American scientists from Yale and Washington Universities conducted an experiment on mice and found that the keto diet does bring health benefits, but only in the short term. After a week, the result changes to negative.
Both positive and negative effects of the diet are associated with the activity of gamma-delta T cells - immune cells from the group of lymphocytes that protect tissues, reduce the level of inflammation and the risk of diabetes.
"Keto diet makes the body burn fat," the press release says The words of the head of the study Visha Deep Dixit, professor of comparative medicine and immunobiology from the Yale School of Medicine. – When the glucose level in the body decreases due to the low carbohydrate content in the diet, the body acts as if it were in a hungry state, and begins to burn fats instead of carbohydrates. As a result of this process, ketone bodies are formed – an alternative source of fuel."
When ketone bodies are burned, protective gamma-delta T cells spread throughout the body. This improves the metabolism in the body, reduces the risk of diabetes. After a week of keto diet, the mice showed a decrease in blood sugar and overall inflammation.
But when the mice followed a high-fat diet for more than one week, they consumed more fat than was burned in their body, and the fat began to accumulate. A detailed study of gamma-delta T cells revealed that at the moment when the body breaks down its own fat, the cells begin the process of lipid accumulation. As a result, the mice developed obesity and diabetes.
"Their protective gamma-delta T cells were lost in fat," explains Dixit.
"Our results highlight the relationship between metabolism and the immune system, and also show how it coordinates the maintenance of tissue health," says Emily Goldberg, another author of the study.
Thanks to the data obtained, researchers now have a better understanding of the mechanisms of the organs supported by the keto diet, and why such a diet brings health benefits for limited periods of time. However, the authors note that clinical studies in humans are needed to confirm the benefits of a short-term keto diet.
"Before prescribing such a diet, it is necessary to conduct a large clinical study under controlled conditions to understand the mechanism of metabolic and immunological benefits, as well as any potential harm to people with overweight and prediabetes," Dixit emphasizes.
At the same time, the fact that the keto diet can only be used in the form of short sessions, from the point of view of a scientist, is good news. "After all, no one wants to go on a diet forever!" – says Dixit.
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