Here at Konscious Keto, we try to stay alert to new findings in the medical community. One of the most common causes of death in seniors is Alzheimer’s Disease and scientists have been making progress in finding preventative methods to cure Alzheimer’s Disease, but they’re not quite there yet.
Studies have shown there may be a ketogenic diet and Alzheimer’s connection. In this guide, you’ll learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease as well as how ketone bodies may give our brains a stronger source of energy.
Since the brain is the target of Alzheimer's disease, taking action to supplement your mental fitness is strongly recommended.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of dementia that is most common in senior citizens over the age of 65. The disease causes memory loss and a decrease in other cognitive functions. 60-80% of dementia cases are Alzheimer’s Disease.
Some people under the age of 65 can also develop early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Approximately 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s before the age of 65.
Alzheimer’s is recognized as a progressive disease, and memory loss becomes greater over time once a person exhibits the initial symptoms.
During the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, a decrease in cognitive ability is mild, but it can excel to the point of being unable to carry on a conversation or react to surroundings.
Someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease will live on for an average of eight years, but other lifestyle and health factors play a role. The years lived after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can last anywhere from four to twenty years.
There is no current cure or fool-proof prevention for Alzheimer’s, but symptoms can be treated, and scientific research is ongoing. Treatments can slow down the progression of dementia, but they cannot stop it completely.
Since Alzheimer’s Disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, there is a worldwide effort to find a cure and prevention.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is a brain disease that slows down thinking and creates a decline in memory. There are ten common signs of Alzheimer’s Disease that you can look out for:
Memory Loss
This is one of the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Memory loss includes not remembering recently learned information, forgetting important dates and events, asking for the same information multiple times, and relying on notes or family members for information.
This type of memory loss will disrupt everyday life.
Problem Solving Challenges
There may be a change in your ability to work with numbers, create a plan, or concentrate on specific tasks. Examples include not being able to follow a recipe or keep track of monthly bills.
Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
It will become more challenging to complete tasks you’ve had no trouble with before. This includes using conventional technology, remembering the rules of a game, or driving to a known location.
Confusion With Time
Alzheimer’s Disease patients may forget how they got somewhere or be confused about what the current date or time is. There may be confusion about an event that is not presently happening.
Vision Changes
It may become more difficult to read, judge a distance, or perceive contrast. This can profoundly affect driving.
Vocabulary Problems
Abilities to write or speak will become more difficult. Those with Alzheimer’s may stop in the middle of a conversation, repeat themselves, or not know how to continue the discussion.
Losing Items
A common symptom is to misplace items or be unable to retrace steps. Things may also be put in unusual places instead of their regular locations. This symptom also may include falsely accusing others of stealing.
Poor Judgement
Decision-making skills may decrease. Signs may include giving away large sums of money and reduced grooming habits.
Social Withdrawal
This includes removing oneself from social activities you’ve enjoyed in the past such as work, hobbies, sports, etc.
Sometimes, this is due to not remembering how to complete a favorite activity, but the withdrawal may also stem from recent changes in the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Mood Changes
Moods and personalities can quickly change. Someone with Alzheimer’s might be more confused, fearful, suspicious, untrusting, or anxious. Being pulled out of a comfort zone can be very disruptive.
Early detection in Alzheimer’s Disease is essential! If you feel you have exhibited any of these symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with a doctor.
Scientists and the Ketogenic Diet for Alzheimer's
Although scientists have yet to discover a 100% successful prevention or cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, the ketogenic diet Alzheimer’s connection seems to be in a positive upswing.
Scientists have already established that the keto diet can be used to decrease seizures in epileptic patients substantially.
The neuroprotective effects of ketones have been demonstrated in rodent subjects, as well as the pathology reduction of Alzheimer’s Disease.
In adults with Alzheimer’s, it appears a ketogenic diet can improve memory.
Can Ketones Awaken the Sluggish Alzheimer’s Brain?
To put things simply, those with Alzheimer’s Disease are dealing with an energy crisis. Alternative fuel sources, such as ketones, seem to be the answer to this dilemma.
Aside from advanced cases of Alzheimer’s Disease, the brain typically has no problem burning ketones instead of glucose for energy.
This fact has inspired many scientific studies that research using the ketogenic diet as a way to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.
Using a ketogenic diet to stop the advancement of the disease in people who already have mild Alzheimer’s is also being researched.
Boosting the Neuroprotective Benefits of the Keto Diet
In 2006, a study was published to find if there was a ketogenic diet Alzheimer’s Disease connection. It was already well known that the keto diet can help reduce seizures in epileptic patients.
Scientists tried to find if the same diet can offer neuroprotective benefits for other cognitive diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease.
While this study does not adequately define the results, it is believed that ketones produced from a low-carb diet can replace glucose as an energy source for the brain.
By using ketones for energy, neurons in the brain may be better equipped to resist metabolic challenges.
Ketones Awaken the Sluggish Alzheimer’s Brain
Neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, can be positively modified by the ketogenic diet. As the ketogenic diet creates a broader circulation of ketones in the body, the brain receives a more efficient fuel source than blood glucose.
This enhancement in energy gives brain neurons more opportunity to resist metabolic challenges that create the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Scientists have also theorized that early introduction of the ketogenic diet in children (as opposed to in their adult lifetime) might have a more significant effect on combating the signs of Alzheimer’s Disease because younger brains have a greater ability to transport and use ketone bodies as an energy source.
Chocolate Ketones and Brain Fog
Our Konscious Keto Chocolate Truffle Keto Activate can help reduce “brain fog.” What is brain fog exactly?
While it’s not necessarily a symptom of Alzheimer’s Disease, it is a symptom of the keto flu. Brain fog can include trouble concentrating and fatigue.
Since your body takes time to produce ketones instead of blood glucose, including chocolate ketones in your diet can increase you BHB ketones - arguably the best fuel source for the body!
Chocolate Ketones and Metabolism
What does your body need to metabolize food? Energy! Including chocolate ketones in your diet will not only give you a boost of energy, but will help your body metabolize the fat, protein, and carbohydrate calories you are consuming.
Our exogenous chocolate ketones also help you feel fuller for longer! You may notice your appetite suppress and a reduction in cravings.
Summary
Although there is yet to be a definitive answer, it seems that scientists are getting closer and closer to understanding the ketogenic diet Alzheimer’s Disease connection.
Until we get there, it’s important to know and understand the above ten symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease are.
Ketones may play a key factor in protecting the brain from the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease as well as promoting an allover improved cognitive energy.
This is especially helpful during the first 1-2 weeks of your keto diet and for times when you need extra energy, like right before a workout.
Adding exogenous ketones like our Keto Activate to your diet can help combat a foggy brain and improve your metabolism.
Resources
- Gasior M, Rogawski MA, Hartman AL. Neuroprotective and disease-modifying effects of the ketogenic diet. Behav Pharmacol. 2006;17(5-6):431–439.
- Craft, S., Neth, B., Mintz, A., Sai, K., Shively, N., & Dahl, D. et al. (2019). KETOGENIC DIET EFFECTS ON BRAIN KETONE METABOLISM AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE CSF BIOMARKERS. Retrieved 29 July 2019, from https://www.alzheimersanddementia.com/article/S1552-5260(16)30935-9/abstract
