Research Calls Ketogenic Diet Can Accelerate The Aging Of Heart And Kidney Organs

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JAKARTA - Scientists recently researched mice to see what the impact of the ketogenic diet on the organs in the body would be. People who undergo a ketogenic diet or keto usually eat foods that are high in fat and low in carbohydrates.

Although people who follow this type of diet often experience significant weight loss in the short term, medical experts are concerned about the potential for keto diet risk. Scientists in this study found that mice undergoing a ketogenic diet experienced an increase in the aging rate of cells in their organs.

Researchers from UT Health San Antonio, TX, reported by Medical News Today, Thursday, May 30, recently published a paper in Science Advances observing the effects of a ketogenic diet, also known as to in mice.

With the increasing number of obesity in the United States, many people turn to a diet that they think can help lose a lot of weight. Diet keto, traditionally used to treat epilepsy, is one of the diets that gains popularity.

Some of the characteristics of keto diet include eating more fat and reducing carbohydrate intake. The researchers who conducted this study looked closer to the ketogenic diet by conducting experiments on mice. To see what the impact the diet has on health. They are especially interested in whether diets contribute to cell aging.

Their findings suggest that when comparing a group of mice undergoing a ketogenic diet with mice in the control group. Rats undergoing a ketogenic diet experience higher aging rates in their organs.

Scott Keatley, a registered nutritionist and owner of a private nutrition practice in New York City, who was not involved in the study, explained the findings of the study.

"These findings are important because they provide a mechanistic understanding of how long-term ketogenic diets have the potential to cause cell aging and dysfunction in important organs such as the kidneys and heart," he commented.

This underscores the need for careful consideration of the duration and composition of the diet when recommending a ketogenic diet, especially for patients with organ problems or those at risk of chronic illness, continued Keatley.

He also noted that longitudinal trials in humans are the next step to ascertain whether a ketogenic diet in epilepsy causes cell aging.

"It is important for the public to understand that although a ketogenic diet has proven to provide benefits, particularly in dealing with epilepsy and encouraging weight loss as a calorie-limited diet. Long-term effects are not yet fully understood and can include significant health risks," Keatley said.

"Anyone who considers such a diet should do so under medical guidance," concluded Keatley.