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According to new research, a high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet may aid people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic illness in which the immune system assaults and damages the neurons and spinal cord.
A group of 65 persons with MS who followed a keto diet for six months were evaluated by researchers from the University of Virginia, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Virginia Commonwealth University. The findings will be presented in a preliminary report at the 74th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

The participants were only allowed to consume 20 grams of carbs per day (fewer than in one medium banana or apple).

They ate a lot of eggs, meat, and fish, along with a lot of fats like olive oil, avocado, butter, or heavy cream, and a few cups of non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens.

By the end of the trial, 83% of the individuals had adhered to the diet and reported significant improvements in their mental and physical health, including MS symptoms.

According to Dr. J. Nicholas Brenton, main author of the study and a pediatric neurologist at the University of Virginia, the findings imply that a keto diet could be a promising and accessible treatment for the chronic illness.

In a press release, Brenton stated, "Diet adjustments can be a cheap method to improve general health." "Our findings show that a ketogenic diet might be both safe and helpful."

The study's keto dieters shed weight, gained energy, and improved their mental health.

Participants in the study indicated that their mood and energy levels had improved dramatically after six months on the keto diet. Their experiences were documented by a quality of life survey that included questions on how often they felt tired or depressed vs pleased and enthusiastic.

Keto diets may help protect the brain, but more research is needed

The findings are similar to those of a pilot research headed by Brenton and published in 2019. According to prior study, the keto diet and fasting have similar impacts on the immune system, and both may alter how it regulates excessive activity or reduces inflammation.
Some studies also suggests that the diet's benefits are linked to ketones, which are fat-derived molecules that the body makes to power the brain and body when carbs aren't available. Ketones may aid in the reduction of inflammation, the protection of nerve cells, and the improvement of mitochondrial activity, which powers cells.

Ketogenic diets have already been shown to be useful in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.