A groundbreaking study recently published in “Nutrients” has unveiled intriguing possibilities for those seeking to reverse biological aging: a very low-calorie ketogenic diet. This research, conducted in Spain, finds that such diets might turn back the biological clock, measured at the molecular level, by over six years.
The study centers on epigenetic aging, a concept that acknowledges the variance between an individual’s biological and chronological age. Epigenetic aging is pivotal because a higher biological age compared to one’s chronological age is often linked to increased health risks, such as chronic illnesses and a reduced lifespan. This cutting-edge investigation examined individuals suffering from obesity, a condition affecting over 40% of U.S. adults, and discovered that those adhering to a low-calorie ketogenic diet for 180 days reduced their biological age by more than six years.
Ketogenic diets, which limit carbohydrate intake typically to below 50 grams per day, have been used historically to curb seizures in epilepsy patients. However, they gained popularity in weight-loss circles due to their ability to induce metabolic ketosis—a state in which the body burns fat at an accelerated rate. This controversial dieting method has sparked debates, notably concerning its potential to elevate LDL cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease.
In exploring the relationship between obesity and epigenetic aging, researchers used innovative age clocks like Horvath, Hannum, and Levine to measure biological age changes across different cohorts. Participants in the obesity category demonstrated a biological age 4.4 years older than their normal-weight counterparts, who exhibited a biological age deceleration of 3.1 years. However, when subjected to a low-calorie ketogenic diet, participants showed promising age deceleration—6.1 years at the 30-day mark, maintaining an average of 6.2 years at the study’s conclusion.
Data showed that ketone bodies, particularly beta-hydroxybutyrate produced during ketosis, might facilitate this decelerated aging. Participants experienced improved glucose and insulin levels, a crucial finding given the obesity-diabetes link. While the study’s outcomes present a hopeful narrative, researcher collaboration highlighted the need for more expansive studies to bolster the evidence regarding ketone bodies’ role in epigenetic aging.
Dr. Mir Ali and Dr. Tiffany Marie Hendricks provided expert commentary, emphasizing that while promising, the low-calorie ketogenic diet’s efficacy might also derive from overall weight loss rather than the diet itself. Hendricks further cautioned about potential safety issues, such as nutrient deficiencies or electrolyte imbalances, particularly without proper monitoring.
In Thailand, integrating such dietary findings could align well with existing health improvement campaigns aimed at reducing obesity and enhancing life quality. These findings could inform policy makers and health practitioners, potentially leading to innovative approaches in dietary recommendations.
As Thailand continues to grapple with its own obesity rates—a mirror of global trends—the implications of this study could pivot our health narratives. Though larger studies are warranted to verify these initial findings, the Thai health community may have newfound strategies to confront the obesity epidemic. For Thai readers seeking to engage with this research, starting with trained nutritionists for tailored health advice might prove beneficial.