Low-carb diets have become wildly popular in recent years.
Studies show that they help people lose weight better than traditional low-carb, low-fat diets. And low-carb dieters are better able to keep off the weight.
Now a new study shows that low-carb eating has another benefit. It may keep your mind sharper as you get older.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University enrolled 27 subjects with mild cognitive problems. They followed one of two diets for 12 weeks. One group went on a modified low-carb Atkins diet. Their goal was to eat less than 20 grams of carbohydrates a day.[1]
The other group didn’t restrict carbs. They averaged over 100 grams a day.
The participants had partners (usually spouses) who helped them stay on their diets.
At the study’s start, the subjects took three mental-assessment tests and memory tests. They were tested again at six and 12 weeks.
At the study’s midpoint and at the end, the low-carb group had a 15% improvement on their memory scores.
The other group’s scores got worse over time.
Dr. Jason Brandt was an author of the study. He said that a low-carb diet might have even bigger beneficial brain effects if it is combined with daily ketone supplements. [2]
Here’s why… In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, the brain has trouble using glucose for energy. And a diet high in carbs yields a lot of glucose. But ketones, which come from the breakdown of dietary fat, can be used to fuel the brain instead. That can also benefit people with mild cognitive impairment.
Boost Your Memory by Cutting Carbs
Low-carb eating is simple:
- Avoid sugar and starchy foods like bread, pasta, rice, beans, and potatoes.
- Eat meat, fish, eggs, non-starchy vegetables, and natural fats like olive oil and butter.[3]
- Fruits that are high in soluble fiber and low in sugar are OK. But avoid fruit juices. They are typically high in sugar.
The most important rule of low-carb eating? Avoid sugary foods and drinks that push insulin higher, especially soda.
You can also take ketone supplements as suggested by Dr. Brandt. They are available from online retailers and health food stores. It’s usually in powdered form for mixing with beverages. Most manufacturers recommend three daily doses. Follow the label directions.
Editor’s Note: Where are my keys? Why did I come into this room? What is my nephew’s name? Read our monthly newsletter Independent Healing to learn if these mental lapses are normal or signs of Alzheimer’s. And discover how to get back your youthful memory. Subscribe HERE.
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[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=10.3233%2FJAD-180995
[2]https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-06/jhm-ld062619.php
[3]https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb