Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet May Reverse Epigenetic Aging in Obesity

Obesity affects over 40% of adults in the United States and is associated with a range of health concerns, including increased biological age, which predicts a higher risk for chronic diseases and a shorter lifespan. A new study, published in Nutrients, investigates the effects of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet on the epigenetic aging of individuals with obesity.

The Role of Ketogenic Diet in Aging

Initially used to control seizures in epilepsy, ketogenic diets have gained popularity for weight loss. By restricting carbohydrates to under 50 grams per day, ketogenic diets aim to trigger metabolic ketosis, potentially aiding in fat loss. This approach, however, is controversial as it restricts food types and may raise LDL cholesterol, which could increase the risk of heart disease.

Obesity, characterized by a BMI of 30 or higher, can accelerate biological aging through changes in DNA methylation patterns. This study explored whether a very low-calorie ketogenic diet could influence epigenetic aging.

Study Design and Findings

The researchers utilized age clocks (Horvath, Hannum, and Levine) to assess the biological age of participants. The study involved two groups: a cross-sectional cohort (20 normal weight and 28 with obesity) and a longitudinal cohort (10 with obesity).

Results indicated that individuals with obesity had an accelerated biological age of 4.4 years compared to normal-weight individuals who showed a deceleration in age by 3.1 years. The longitudinal cohort on a very low-calorie ketogenic diet exhibited an age deceleration of 6.1 years after 30 days and 6.2 years after 180 days. The study suggested that nutritional ketosis and the production of beta-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone body, might be responsible for slowing biological aging.

Additionally, improvements in glucose and insulin levels were noted, potentially lowering type 2 diabetes risk in individuals with obesity. The study posits a link between obesity and biological aging that could be modifiable through diet.

Expert Opinions on the Study

Dr. Mir Ali, a bariatric and general surgeon, cautioned against concluding that the ketogenic diet alone caused the observed age deceleration. He noted that weight loss leading to a healthy weight improves medical conditions and life expectancy, making it challenging to isolate the specific impact of diet type.

Dr. Tiffany Marie Hendricks, citing concerns about the diet's safety and sustainability, emphasized the challenge of incorporating such findings into clinical guidelines.

The study highlights the potential of very low-calorie ketogenic diets in reversing biological aging in obesity, although larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and understand the broader implications of ketone bodies in aging regulation.