The ketogenic diet has taken the wellness world by storm, with health professionals and laypeople alike touting its remarkable health benefits. While patient enthusiasm is often high at the beginning of a ketogenic diet, many people fall off the “keto bandwagon” due to the diet’s restrictive nature. Ketosis-supporting phytonutrients offer a novel solution to this problem, allowing your patients to break a strict ketogenic diet with some healthy carbohydrates while seamlessly re-entering ketosis the next day. This strategy promotes metabolic flexibility and makes keto a realistic and attainable diet for your patients.
What is Ketosis?
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, low-carbohydrate food plan. The typical macronutrient ratios are 60-75% of calories from fat, 15-30% from protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. By strictly limiting carbs, the ketogenic diet creates a metabolic shift in the body from using glucose as a primary fuel to burning body fat and ketones, small water-soluble compounds produced via the breakdown of fats in the liver.
Once synthesized, ketones are rapidly taken up by the brain, heart, and skeletal muscle, where they are broken down to produce ATP, the body’s primary energy “currency.” The three ketones produced during ketosis - beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, and acetone – can be measured in the blood using a simple ketone meter.
The utilization of ketones for energy production is referred to as “ketosis.” Our human ancestors regularly entered ketosis due to limited food availability and periods of fasting, a practice that has evolutionarily programmed us to derive immense health benefits from this metabolic process.
Biochemical Actions of Ketosis
The health benefits of ketosis are realized through its impact on multiple cell-signaling pathways and physiological processes.
AMPK
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a nutrient-sensing enzyme that functions as a central regulator of metabolism and energy production in the body. AMPK is activated by a variety of inputs, including calorie restriction, lowered blood insulin levels, and exercise. Conversely, it is inhibited by hyperinsulinemia, chronic overnutrition, and obesity.1-3 AMPK works rapidly to restore cellular ATP levels and modulates two downstream signaling pathways, mTOR and PPAR.4 AMPK activation is associated with reduced inflammation, weight loss, enhanced insulin sensitivity and muscle function, and healthy aging.5-7
mTOR
Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an anabolic pathway that coordinates cell growth. It is activated by food intake and regulates vital processes such as learning, memory, and response to exercise.8,9 However, in the case of mTOR, it is possible to have too much of a good thing! Excessive activation of mTOR is linked to cancer, type II diabetes, obesity, neurodegeneration, and accelerated aging.10
AMPK is the primary inhibitor of mTOR. One of the primary benefits of a ketogenic or fasting state is that it blocks mTOR through increased AMPK activity, thus inhibiting uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation, and oxidative stress.
PPAR
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are transcription factors activated by AMPK and involved in energy metabolism, immunity, and inflammation.11 PPARα is a chief regulator of ketosis, inducing the expression of genes necessary for fatty acid oxidation and ketone biosynthesis.12 PPARγ supports the metabolic benefits of ketosis by enhancing insulin sensitivity and glucose utilization.
Beta-hydroxybutyrate Signaling
Β-hydroxybutyrate is the most abundant ketone body in circulation when the body is in a state of ketosis. In addition to serving as an energy substrate, it functions as a signaling molecule, epigenetically regulating genes involved in neuroprotection and inflammation.13
Autophagy
Autophagy is the cellular process by which damaged, dysfunctional proteins and cellular components are degraded and recycled. This “cellular housecleaning,” potently activated by ketosis, keeps cells healthy and spry, ready to take on the stressors of daily living.14
Mitohormesis
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are chemically-reactive compounds produced in response to environmental stressors such as pesticides, heavy metals, and UV light. They are also natural byproducts of mitochondrial respiration, the process by which our cells make ATP for energy. While excessive production of ROS is harmful, moderate levels of mitochondrial ROS induce mitohormesis, an adaptive response that increases resistance to oxidative stress.15 Nutritional ketosis is a potent activator of mitohormesis and thereby enhances mitochondrial health.
The Health Benefits of Ketosis
Blood Sugar Control and Weight Management
A shocking 9% of the U.S. population has diabetes while 33% have prediabetes and 72% are categorized as overweight or obese.16-18 The “eat less, exercise more” directive has unfortunately failed the countless people suffering from these health conditions. The ketogenic diet is a promising alternative to conventional dietary guidelines for the millions of adults struggling with their blood sugar and body weight. It dramatically decreases blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c in people with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, significantly reduces visceral fat, and preserves lean mass.19-21
Increased Energy
A ketogenic diet enhances mitochondrial function, boosting activity of the body’s energy powerhouses. Ketones also “burn clean” compared to glucose, creating abundant energy without an excess of harmful free radicals.
Enhanced Cognition and Reduced Neuroinflammation
Unlike glucose, ketones readily cross the blood-brain barrier, making them a preferred fuel source for the brain. For this reason, a ketogenic diet offers profound brain health benefits including improved glutamate/GABA balance, enhanced cognition, learning, memory, and mitochondrial function, and reduced oxidative stress.22,23 The anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits of a ketogenic diet have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, malignant glioma, and traumatic brain injury.24,25
Nutritional Support for Ketosis
While a ketogenic diet offers numerous health benefits, it is difficult to follow long-term due to its severe restriction of carbohydrates. However, by incorporating botanicals that support the critical metabolic pathways and signaling molecules activated by a ketogenic diet, it is possible for your patients to obtain the benefits of ketosis without daily carbohydrate deprivation!
DIM
Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a sulfur-based compound found in cruciferous vegetables. It potentiates tumor cell death by regulating micro-RNAs associated with autophagy and activates AMPK.26,27
Quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid with potent antioxidant activities mediated largely by AMPK activation.28 It also improves glucose and lipid metabolism via interactions with PPARγ, thus supporting the metabolic changes induced by ketosis.29
Milk thistle
Milk thistle is a renowned botanical for supporting the health of the liver, the primary site of ketone production. It also inhibits mTOR, induces autophagy, and decreases blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, and insulin.30-32
Resveratrol
Resveratrol, the antioxidant to which the health benefits of red wine are attributed, has many ketosis-supporting effects. It stimulates AMPK, inhibits mTOR, and induces autophagy.33,34 Interestingly, it also promotes mitophagy, the selective degradation of mitochondria by autophagy; this allows only the healthiest mitochondria to survive, supporting efficient cellular energy production.35
Berberine
Berberine, a bitter compound found in the roots of several plants including Oregon grape, barberry, and goldenseal, is a potent AMPK activator. In fact, it has the same mechanism of action as metformin and significantly decreases blood sugar while activating fat-burning processes.36
Cinnamon
In addition to tasting wonderful, cinnamon offers powerful metabolic support. It reduces fasting blood glucose and HbA1c while inhibiting mTOR and activating AMPK.37-39
By using these nutrients when practicing a ketogenic diet, you can enjoy greater dietary flexibility by eating an increased amount of healthy carbohydrates at dinner and seamlessly return to ketosis the next day. These ingredients, therefore, promote metabolic flexibility making keto a truly sustainable lifestyle diet over the long-term.
While ketosis historically reflected a time of deprivation for our ancestors, it needn’t be a struggle today! By incorporating select botanicals into your patients' protocols, you can help them ease into ketosis and reap the numerous health benefits this ancient metabolic pathway has to offer.
Sponsored by Quicksilver Scientific, the makers of Keto Before 6™, a revolutionary phytonutrient formula to help accelerate the body’s ability to get into ketosis.
