General Health

Ketosis Suppression and Ageing (KetoSAge): The Effects of Suppressing Ketosis in Long Term Keto-Adapted Non-Athletic Females

A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences bolsters the hypothesis that the natural state of humans may be nutritional ketosis, providing evidence that long-term ketosis can be sustained without adverse effects in healthy individuals.

While suppressing ketosis temporarily led to increased markers linked to inflammation and insulin resistance, these changes were rapidly reversed when ketosis was restored. This study suggests that sustained ketosis might offer health benefits, particularly in preventing chronic diseases.

→ Study Design and Participants

Ten pre-menopausal women, who were lean and metabolically healthy, were the subjects. These women had maintained nutritional ketosis for an average of almost 4 years. The study was structured into three 21-day phases:

1. Maintaining nutritional ketosis.
2. Suppressing ketosis.
3. Returning to nutritional ketosis.

→ Key Metrics Monitored

Adherence to these phases was validated with daily tests measuring D-beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels. Additionally, aging biomarkers and anthropometrics were evaluated at the end of each phase.

→ Findings

Upon suppressing ketosis, significant increases were observed in several metrics: insulin levels almost doubled; IGF1 levels saw an approximate 83% increase; glucose levels rose by about 17%; respiratory quotient (RQ) increased by about 9%; PAI-1 levels showed a noticeable increase.

Furthermore, other markers like VEGF, EGF, and monocyte chemotactic protein also significantly rose, indicating a shift towards inflammation.

When these participants reverted to their habitual nutritional ketosis after the suppression phase, the increases mentioned above were quickly restored to their previous levels. This underscores the metabolic flexibility these individuals exhibited.

→ Conclusions

The study reveals significant insights about the natural state of ketosis in humans. Historical data suggests that our ancestors were more accustomed to intermittent and restricted feeding patterns rather than the carbohydrate-rich diets prevalent today.

Modern diets, rich in carbohydrates, are correlated with rising cases of several diseases like T2DM, obesity, and more. The findings from this study emphasize that even a short-term suppression of ketosis can lead to negative metabolic changes. However, the body’s ability to quickly revert to its healthy state upon restoring ketosis highlights the potential health benefits of a sustained ketotic state.

In essence, long-standing nutritional ketosis may offer protective effects against chronic diseases and ageing, possibly enhancing both lifespan and health span. The study provides a foundational understanding for further exploration, especially in evaluating the metabolic benefits of ketosis in individuals with various health conditions.