Are ketogenic diets promising for Alzheimer's disease? A translational review

This translational review used a systematic search of interventional trials from January 2000 to March 2019 on MEDLINE and Cochrane, and included 11 animal and 11 human studies of ketogenic diets or medium-chain triglyceride intake in Alzheimer's disease and ageing. Preclinical studies showed improved cognition and motor function in an Alzheimer's mouse model and ageing animals, but ketogenic diet and ketone supplementation were also associated with significant weight loss. In human studies, most articles showed significant improvement in cognitive outcomes (global cognition, memory and executive functions) with ketone supplementation or ketogenic diet, regardless of baseline impairment severity. Both interventions seemed acceptable and efficient for achieving ketosis.