A ketogenic diet consisting of a large amount of fat contributes to an increase in life expectancy and reduces the likelihood of death at a young age. To this unexpected conclusion came the American scientists led by Eric Verdin from the Institute for the Study of Aging Buck.

In a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, scientists used mice in the age of one year, who came up with a special diet to achieve the maximum concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate (one of the types of ketone bodies) in blood plasma without health effects. The diet of mice for 89-90 percent consisted of fats, while the ketogenic diet alternated with the usual. Mice with this type of food were compared to animals that were fed differently. The researchers noted that, despite the high content of fats, the weight of rodents almost did not change, unlike those that were not on an "ordinary" diet or consumed only fats.

It turned out that both alternating with the usual (cyclic) and continuous ketogenic diet increased the average life expectancy of rodents, reducing the risk of their death in adulthood. However, this did not prolong the life of the old mice.

Also, scientists conducted a series of tests of cognitive and physical abilities of mice when they reached the age of 12-14 months, 22-24 months and 28-30 months. It turned out that the cyclic diet helped maintain normal memory during aging. In addition, as the results of the echocardiogram showed, it prolonged the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system.

According to scientists, further research is needed that will prove the positive effect of the ketogenic diet on the human body.

aspekty. net.