Ketogenic Diet Can Help Improve Autoimmune Diseases: Current Studies

The benefits of a ketogenic diet go beyond weight loss and may also help those with autoimmune disorders.

What Is the Reason for Ketogenic Diet Helping Autoimmune Disease?

A ketogenic diet is characterized by low intake of carbohydrates (less than 50 grams per day) and a higher intake of fat. While it has garnered controversy for cutting out entire food groups, its benefits are said to outweigh potential risks.

Research has confirmed the diet’s health effects. In the 1990s, a systematic review of studies found compelling evidence that ketogenic diets can treat drug-resistant epilepsy. Later, the diet became popular for weight loss.

There is also substantial evidence indicating that ketogenic diets may aid in addressing autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and psoriasis.

This diet possibly helps reduce inflammation in the body, which is crucial for individuals with autoimmune disorders. Dr. Jonathan Rasouli, a neurosurgeon and director of complex and adult spinal deformity surgery at Staten Island University Hospital, part of Northwell Health in New York, explicates that inflammation, particularly chronic inflammation, plays a “major role” in autoimmune disease.

Chronic inflammation is linked to the development of diseases when bodies are in a pro-inflammatory state. Thus, scientists are in constant search of ways to fight chronic inflammation and prevent diseases, according to Rasouli.

A recent randomized, controlled trial compared two groups of individuals, one on a ketogenic diet and the other on a whole-food diet with fewer processed foods. Although both groups showed reduced pain and inflammation, the ketogenic group experienced a considerable decrease in pain and inflammation.

Another study found that ketogenic diets could decrease obesity-related inflammation in the body.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Its Symptoms

Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease of the gut, presently has no cure, and the standard treatment involves steroids, anti-inflammatory medicine, and biologics drugs to manage symptoms.

A case report published in 2016 showed that a paleolithic ketogenic diet, which eliminated grains, milk, dairy, refined sugars, vegetable oils, oilseeds, nightshades, and artificial sweeteners, helped a 14-year-old boy diagnosed with Crohn’s disease to recover. Traditional medicine and low-fat, low-fiber, lactose-free diets did not show improvement. 

There is evidence that this diet may help inflammatory bowel disease by modifying the gut microbiome to reduce inflammation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Management

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that is usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen associated with risks.

A systematic review of studies found that ketogenic diets lead to significantly reduced systemic inflammation, one of the main drivers of rheumatoid arthritis, thereby relieving joint pain and inflammation.

“Research seems to show a benefit when it comes to prevention,” remarked Natalie McCormick, research fellow in medicine at Harvard Medical School, stating that an anti-inflammatory diet can prevent arthritis and its associated conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

Another study showed that beta-hydroxybutyrate, a compound produced during ketosis, was effective in reducing disease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Furthermore, ketogenic diets stimulate the production of adenosine, a pain-relieving substance in the body, providing relief from the most frequent sign of rheumatoid arthritis.

Psoriasis Treatment Benefits

Psoriasis causes patches of thick red skin, scaling, and other symptoms on body parts such as the scalp, face, elbows, and knees.

A study of the effects of a very-low-calorie ketogenic diet on psoriasis patients discovered that this approach is a successful strategy and a good therapeutic option for managing the disease.

The study researchers concluded that the dietary plan was feasible, with high compliance and safe.

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