Keto Diet: New Study Reveals Benefits for Blood Sugar & Exercise Performance

A strict ketogenic diet reversed elevated blood sugar levels in mice, according to a study published this week in Nature Communications, prompting researchers to plan human trials to investigate the diet’s potential as a therapeutic intervention.

The research, conducted by a team of scientists from institutions across the United States, focused on rodents exhibiting hyperglycemia – a condition characterized by abnormally high blood sugar. Researchers subjected the mice to a rigorous ketogenic diet, drastically limiting carbohydrate intake while increasing healthy fat consumption. Within seven days, blood glucose levels in the animals returned to normal, reported study participant Sarah Lessard, a physiologist.

“After a period of just seven days, the animals’ blood sugar levels normalized and became healthy,” Lessard stated.

The study also indicated potential benefits for physical endurance. When the mice on the ketogenic diet were exercised, they demonstrated improved physical capabilities and increased resistance to fatigue. Muscle tissue showed increased oxygen content, and greater strength.

Researchers caution that the study’s findings are preliminary and subject to critical limitations. The research was conducted exclusively on mice, and the animals used in the study already had pre-existing high blood sugar levels. The impact of the diet on healthy mice remains unknown. The ketogenic diet administered to the rodents was exceptionally strict, and replicating such a restrictive regimen in humans may not be safe or sustainable.

“For individuals struggling with hyperglycemia, different approaches to diet and physical activity may be necessary to maintain good health and aerobic performance,” researchers noted.

Despite these limitations, the research team has already begun planning clinical trials involving human subjects. These trials aim to provide more specific and relevant data regarding the potential health benefits of the ketogenic diet for people. Researchers emphasize that animal studies, while informative, do not provide a complete picture of the effects in humans.