Rodent studies have indicated that low-carbohydrate diets prevent age-related cognitive decline and extend lifespan due to increased circulating levels of ketone bodies. A possible physiological mechanism for how ketone bodies exert this effect might be by improving central nervous system insulin resistance, which makes this finding interesting with regards to the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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A.A. is currently consultant or member of advisory boards or scientific councils for Feast Kitchen A/S, Denmark; McCain Foods Limited, USA; Weight Watchers, USA; Nestlé Research Center, Switzerland; and European Milk Forum. He is co-founder and co-owner of the University of Copenhagen spin-out companies Mobile Fitness A/S, and Flaxslim ApS, Denmark, and co-inventor of University of Copenhagen patent applications regarding applications for weight regulation in humans. M.F.H. is co-inventor of University of Copenhagen patent applications regarding applications for weight regulation in humans.
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Astrup, A., Hjorth, M. Improvement in age-related cognitive functions and life expectancy by ketogenic diets. Nat Rev Endocrinol 13, 695–696 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2017.142
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2017.142
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