New studies show the low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet could help prevent cancer, heart disease and dementia
By Romy Hansen
According to new Netflix documentary The Magic Pill, a ketogenetic diet has a number of health benefits. The keto diet cuts out carbohydrates and forces the body to instead burn protein and fat for energy, putting the body into a state of ketosis.
The documentary draws attention to the fact studies have recently found a state of ketogenesis could help eliminate the growth of cancers. It is proven that cancer patients with higher blood sugar levels are also those with the lowest survival rate.
The studies show that sugar is the main source of fuel feeding cancer cells. By cutting these sugars out, the cancer cells starve and stop thriving and spreading within the body as they cannot metabolise fatty acids for energy.
Several studies have also shown the keto diet can drastically decrease the risk of heart disease. Triglycerides are tiny molecules of fat found in the bloodstream. The build-up of these molecules can result in blocked coronary arteries and therefore heart disease.
Carbohydrate consumption is proven to be one of the main factors contributing to elevated triglycerides. Following a low-carb diet like the keto diet has been proven to dramatically decrease the number of blood triglycerides, helping to prevent heart disease.
The high-fat diet can also help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease, the documentary claims on the basis of a new study by the University of Kansas.
The human brain requires quality fuel to power its brain cells in order to maintain its functions. The brains of dementia sufferers struggle to burn glucose (carbohydrates/blood sugar) for fuel and this can lead to a detrimental loss of brain cells, brain function and memory over time.
The study shows that except in advanced cases of Alzheimer’s, the brain can still burn ketones (fats) for fuel instead of glucose. The KDRAFT (the Ketogenic Diet Retention and Feasibility Trial), is the first study to test ketogenic diets in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Test results showed a significant improvement in cognitive brain function in 9 out of 10 participants put on the keto diet.
The rise in studies showing the benefits of healthy fats and the health risks of sugars could lead to more government regulation and policy change.