New research suggests high-fat diet may support brain longevity

A high fat diet containing foods such as fish, berries and nuts could help to improve brain health in people at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's.

Researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia say that the high-fat and low-carb diet, commonly also known as the ketogenic diet, could potentially slow or prevent cognitive decline in people at high risk of Alzheimer's disease.

The desired research was published in the Journal of Neurochemistry to evaluate whether this diet provides special health benefits for people born with APOE4 gene, which is known to be a strong hereditary predisposition factor for late-onset Alzheimer's.

It has been observed that the APOE4 has been previously linked to early brain metabolic dysfunction and disruptions in gut bacteria.

Scientists say, “Targeting these early changes through dietary interventions may reduce the AD risk in asymptomatic carriers.”

A previous study revealed that female mice carrying the APOE4 gene developed healthier gut bacteria and showed higher energy levels when they were given a ketogenic diet, compared to those who ate more carbohydrates.

Researchers were convinced that diet may have a crucial role in analyzing how the brain fuels itself.

The study co-author Kira Ivanich explained the phenomenon, stating, “When we eat carbs, our brains convert the glucose into fuel for our brains, but those with the APOE4 gene-particularly females-struggle to convert the glucose into brain energy and this can lead to cognitive decline down the road.”

These findings may have a crucial role in understanding gut bacteria shifts and helping to improve mitochondria function, fat metabolism, and the chemical equilibrium in the brain.

These findings further suggest that a high-fat diet may be helpful to keep the brain young and significantly improve brain health, and the results highlighted the importance of customizing diets and interventions for those who benefit the most.