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Effects of Low-carbohydrate and High-fat Diet Supplemented with Ketogenic Drink on Cognitive Function and Physical Performance in the Elderly at High Risk for Dementia


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Effects of Low-carbohydrate and High-fat Diet Supplemented with Ketogenic Drink on Cognitive Function and Physical Performance in the Elderly at High Risk for Dementia

Article information

Korean J Community Nutr. 2019;24(6):525-534
Publication date (electronic) : 2019 December 31
doi : https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2019.24.6.525
Eun-Ji Kim1orcid_icon, Jung-Sik Park2orcid_icon, Won-Sun Choi3orcid_icon, Yoo Kyoung Park4orcid_icon
1Department of Medical Nutrition, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea, Student.
2Maeil Dairies Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea, Researcher.
3MD wellI Inc, Seoul, Korea, Researcher.
4Department of Medical Nutrition, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea, Professor.
Corresponding author: Yoo Kyoung Park. Department of Medical Nutrition, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Korea. Tel: (031) 201-3816, Fax: (031) 203-3816, ypark@khu.ac.kr
Received 2019 November 06; Revised 2019 December 09; Accepted 2019 December 09.

Abstract

Objectives

Reduced glucose utilization in the main parts of the brain involved in memory is a major cause of Alzheimer's disease, in which ketone bodies are used as the only and effective alternative energy source of glucose. This study examined the effects of a low-carbohydrate and high-fat (LCHF) diet supplemented with a ketogenic nutrition drink on cognitive function and physical activity in the elderly at high risk for dementia.

Methods

The participants of this study were 28 healthy elderly aged 60-91 years showing a high risk factor of dementia or whose Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) score was less than 24 points. Over 3 weeks, the case group was given an LCHF diet with nutrition drinks consisting of a ketone/non-ketone ratio of 1.73:1, whereas the control group consumed well-balanced nutrition drinks while maintaining a normal diet. After 3 weeks, K-MMSE, body composition, urine ketone bodies, and physical ability were all evaluated.

Results

Urine ketone bodies of all case group subjects were positive, and K-MMSE score was significantly elevated in the case group only (p=0.021). Weight and BMI were elevated in the control group only (p<0.05). Grip strength was elevated in all subjects (p<0.01), and measurements of gait speed and one leg balance were improved only in the case group (p<0.05).

Conclusions

We suggest that adherence to the LCHF diet supplemented with a ketogenic drink could possibly influence cognitive and physical function in the elderly with a high risk factor for dementia. Further, we confirmed the applicability of this dietary intervention in the elderly based on its lack of any side effects or changes in nutritional status.

Keywords: dementia; low-carbohydrate diet; high-fat diet; mini mental state examination; cognitive function

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (IPET) (316055-3).

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Article information Continued

Copyright © 2019 The Korean Society of Community Nutrition
The Korean Society of Community Nutrition

This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Funded by : Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisherieshttps://doi.org/10.13039/501100003668
Award ID : 316055-3

Table 1

Composition of nutrition drinks

Table 1

1) Ketogenic ratio=Fat : Protein+Carbohydrate (g of ratio)

2) C : P : F=Carbohydrate : Protein:Fat (% of calorie)

Table 2

General characteristics of study subjects

Table 2

1) Values are means ± SD

2) BMI : Body mass index

3) Significantly different at p<0.05 by Chi-square test, independent t-test. *: p<0.05, **: p<0.01, ***: p<0.001

Table 3

Personal and family disease history of risk factors for dementia

Table 3

1) Other medical history included osteoporosis, stroke, parkinson's disease and hypotension.

2) Significantly different at p<0.05 by Chi-square test. **: p<0.01

3) NA : None applicable.

Table 4

Adherence to the dietary intervention for low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet

Table 4

Each nutrients standard was established in accordance with the LGIT (Low Glycemic Index treatment) for dietary compliance survey. All subjects had recorded daily number of serves from each of the 8 food groups including carbohydrate, protein, oil, vegetables, fruits, nuts, dairy products, and water. The above figures are the average intake of three weeks.

1) Values are means ± SD

Table 5

Change in the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) score by each group

Table 5

1) Values are means ± SD

2) Difference between baseline and 21 days

3) Significance as determined by paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test (post hoc test).

4) Significant Time x Group interaction effect at p<0.05 by paired t-test.

*: p<0.05, **: p<0.01, ***: p<0.001

Table 6

Changes in anthropometry and body composition by each group

Table 6

1) Values are means ± SD

2) Difference between baseline and 10 days

3) Difference between 10 days and 21 days

4) Difference between baseline and 21 days

5) Significant Time x Group interaction effect at p<0.05 by paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test (post hoc test).

*: p<0.05, **: p<0.01, ***: p<0.001

6) BMI : Body mass index

Table 7

Changes in the physical fitness of daily living by each group

Table 7

1) Values are means ± SD

2) Difference between baseline and 21 days

3) Significant Time x Group interaction effect at p<0.05 by paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test (post hoc test).

*: p<0.05, **: p<0.01, ***: p<0.001