Spotlight on Keto Research: Jan 10th 2025
This week’s Spotlight on Keto Research features cutting-edge studies showing how ketogenic therapies may influence health in diverse ways. From improving hormonal balance in PCOS and promoting bone regeneration to advancing strategies for joint protection, neuroprotection, and gut-liver communication, these findings reveal exciting therapeutic possibilities. Explore the latest insights below!
📌 Li et al. Impact of short-term ketogenic diet on sex hormones and glucose-lipid metabolism in overweight or obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Ketogenic diets may be a promising therapeutic strategy for addressing metabolic and hormonal imbalances related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in overweight or obese women. Over three months, individuals on a ketogenic diet experienced greater weight loss, improved sex hormone regulation, and better glucose-lipid metabolism compared to those following a traditional intervention with lifestyle changes and oral contraceptives.
📌 Kawasaki et al. β-hydroxybutyrate suppresses pathological changes of blood-induced arthropathy in rats
β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) may help reduce joint damage in haemophilia-related arthropathy. In this study, rats with repeated joint bleeding experienced less swelling, tissue fibrosis, and inflammation when fed a ketogenic diet that elevated BHB levels. BHB also suppressed IL-1β production in blood-exposed macrophages, highlighting its potential as an anti-inflammatory strategy for joint protection in haemophilia.
📌 Li et al. Metabolically activated energetic materials mediate cellular anabolism for bone regeneration
β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) may support bone regeneration by enhancing cellular energy production. In-vitro experiments showed that BHB, released from an engineered scaffold, boosted ATP production and activated mitochondrial metabolism in stem cells, promoting their transformation into bone-forming osteoblasts. In animal models, BHB increased bone mass and supported vascularized bone repair, highlighting its potential in regenerative therapies.
📌 Lv et al. Intermittent fasting and neurodegenerative diseases: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential
Intermittent fasting (IF) may help prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases by triggering protective cellular and molecular adaptations in the brain. This review highlights how IF promotes synapse formation, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, enhances mitochondrial function, and regulates autophagy and gut microbiota. By addressing risk factors like blood-brain barrier dysfunction and β-amyloid accumulation, IF emerges as a promising strategy for supporting brain health.
📌 Wei et al. Gut Microbiota Modulates Fgf21 Expression and Metabolic Phenotypes Induced by Ketogenic Diet
The gut microbiota appears to be essential for the metabolic benefits of a ketogenic diet (KD). This study found that gut microbes influenced the expression of the hormone FGF21, a key regulator of weight loss and glucose control, highlighting a gut-liver signaling pathway that could enhance the KD’s therapeutic potential.
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