A recent study published in Nutrition investigates whether a very low-calorie ketogenic diet can influence biological aging. Conducted in Spain, the research suggests that this dietary approach may slow aging at the molecular level by more than six years.
The study focuses on epigenetic aging—the difference between a person’s biological age and calendar age. Epigenetic aging is important because a higher biological age is linked to greater health risks and shorter lifespan. In this trial, obese adults followed a low-calorie ketogenic diet for 180 days. Researchers observed a substantial reduction in biological age, exceeding six years.
Ketogenic diets limit carbohydrate intake, typically to below 50 grams daily. They have a long history of treating epilepsy by inducing ketosis, a metabolic state in which the body burns fat for energy. More recently, they have attracted attention in weight management circles. Critics often raise concerns about potential increases in LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk.
To quantify aging, researchers used established epigenetic clocks such as Horvath, Hannum, and Levine. Obesity was associated with a biological age about 4.4 years higher than normal weight. In contrast, those who followed the diet showed a pronounced age deceleration—about 6.1 years at 30 days, stabilizing around 6.2 years by the end of the study. The data hint that ketone bodies produced during ketosis, notably beta-hydroxybutyrate, may play a role in slowing aging. Participants also showed improvements in glucose and insulin metrics, which is notable given the link between obesity and diabetes.
Experts caution that more extensive studies are needed to confirm ketone bodies’ role in epigenetic aging. The researchers also noted that weight loss itself could contribute to the observed effects, not only the diet’s macronutrient composition. Potential safety considerations include nutrient gaps and electrolyte imbalances if the diet is not properly supervised.
In Thailand, these findings resonate with ongoing health campaigns aiming to reduce obesity and improve quality of life. The study provides food for thought for policymakers and healthcare professionals as they refine dietary guidance to address obesity and metabolic disease. Thai readers should consult trained nutritionists or clinicians before making significant dietary changes, ensuring any plan is tailored to individual health needs.
Overall, while promising, larger trials are necessary to validate these early results. If confirmed, dietary strategies that safely promote metabolic health could become a valuable tool in Thailand’s public health arsenal against obesity and age-related disease.