Web Desk, October 22, 2025
Researchers from the University of Missouri have discovered that the high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic (keto) diet can significantly improve brain health, particularly for women carrying a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease.
According to the University of Missouri’s report, experiments on mice showed that females with the APOE4 gene—a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s—experienced improved brain energy metabolism and an increase in beneficial gut bacteria when following a keto diet. Notably, these effects were not observed in male mice.
The keto diet, characterized by low carbohydrate intake and high consumption of healthy fats, prompts the body to produce ketones, which serve as an alternative energy source for the brain. This mechanism may help reduce the risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s.
Researchers emphasized the importance of precision nutrition, which tailors dietary plans based on an individual’s genetic makeup, gut microbiome, age, and sex. This approach underscores the personalized potential of the keto diet for optimizing brain health.
Experts highlight that this study underscores the keto diet’s role in protecting brain health and stresses the need for early interventions to mitigate Alzheimer’s risk, particularly for women with genetic vulnerabilities.
