Scientists have made a significant advance in their knowledge of how the ketogenic diet could reduce symptoms of autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Rich in fat and low in carbohydrates, the ketogenic diet produces certain molecules that reduce many sclerosis symptoms in rats, claims a study from the University of California, San Francisco. This finding suggests new strategies for treating autoimmune illnesses, potentially involving the use of dietary supplements.

The ketogenic diet cannot be effective unless one dramatically reduces their carbohydrate intake. This forces the body to replace glucose with fat for energy consumption. Instead of using glucose as energy, the body produces ketone bodies. This current study contributes to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that ketone bodies do indeed alter immune responses in an MS animal model. Though other studies had suggested this likelihood, this study provides concrete evidence.

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, conducted their investigation using genetically altered mice that showed symptoms akin to multiple sclerosis. The degree of the disease was seen to decrease when the mice's bodies generated large levels of a particular ketone body called β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB). HB stimulated the growth of Lactobacillus murinus, a bacterium that produces indole lactic acid (ILA), thereby altering the gut flora. The immune responses connected to certain autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis, depend on T helper 17 cells; ILA stops their activation nonetheless.

Peter Turnbaugh, PhD, of the Benioff Centre for Microbiome Medicine, expressed his enthusiasm at the finding that these compounds might shield mice from inflammatory disease just by augmenting their diet. Margaret Alexander, PhD, chose to investigate if βHB could lower MS symptoms in mice after Dr. Turnbaugh and colleagues showed that βHB production in the intestines may prevent immunological activation.

Published in Cell Reports on November 4, their results also included tests involving animals unable to generate HB in their intestines. Indicating possible utility as a medical supplement, researchers found that HB could reduce symptoms in animals with more severe inflammation.

Investigating the gut microbiome in mice on several diets—such as the ketogenic diet, a high-fat diet, and a high-fat diet supplemented with βHB—let the researchers probe the subject more deeply. The researchers traced the favorable effects back to the Lactobacillus genus and, more especially, L. murinus. Modern methods, like mass spectrometry and genome sequencing, have successfully confirmed that L. murinus produces ILA, which lowers the activation of the immune system.

The researchers concluded by observing how directly treating MS mice with ILA or L. murinus reduced their symptoms. Dr. Turnbaugh notes that for these exciting findings, human evaluation is still essential. "The key question now is the extent to which these findings will be applied to actual patients," he stated. Instead of requiring those individuals to adhere to a strict and restricted diet, these findings underscore the potential for creating a simpler alternative to assist them.

While many people find it challenging to follow the ketogenic diet exactly, if the findings apply to human treatment, then nutritional supplements may be part of the treatment. This study emphasizes the complex interaction among nutrition, the microbiome, and immune function; therefore, it influences the future of autoimmune disease management.