by A long-term adherence to a ketogenic diet, known for its weight loss and diabetes management benefits, may not be entirely beneficial as new research suggests. Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) have discovered that a prolonged ketogenic diet could lead to the accumulation of senescent, or aged, cells in normal tissues. This condition, particularly noticeable in heart and kidney function, could have significant clinical implications.
The study, led by David Gius, the lead author, and published in the journal Science Advances on May 17, 2023, reveals that a continuous ketogenic diet may induce cellular senescence. However, an intermittent ketogenic diet, which includes planned breaks or keto vacations rental, did not exhibit any pro-inflammatory effects due to aged cells.
Gius emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, “Approximately 13 million Americans follow a ketogenic diet, and our research suggests that planned breaks from this diet could help mitigate potential long-term consequences.”
The research team, which also includes members from the Department of Radiation Oncology and Mays Cancer Center, the Center for Precision Medicine, School of Nursing, and Division of Nephrology in the Department of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio, as well as the Houston Methodist Cancer Center and Houston Methodist Research Institute, made this discovery by studying the effects of a ketogenic diet on multiple organs and the p53 protein, which plays a crucial role in cellular senescence.
These findings add to the growing body of evidence that the benefits of a ketogenic diet may be enhanced by incorporating planned breaks.
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