Low-carb ketogenic diets decrease oxidative stress

We have known for a long time that malignant cells, specifically, cancer cells consume huge amounts of glucose; Warburg postulated that is was a defect in the aerobic respiration of cells (oxygen utilization) that convert a normal cell to a malignant one. Other Nobel prize winners have proven that when oxygen is deficient, cancer cells emerge. Oxygen alone can inhibit malignant cells from proliferating by stopping anaerobic respiration, which is the preferred energy production choice of malignant cells. If malignant cells proliferate using glucose as the primary energy source, then here's an idea for the ages, why don't we starve cancer of glucose and increase oxygen utilization?  

Now, what does this have to do with a low-carb ketogenic diet? First glucose is not our only fuel source. In fact, our brain seems to function better when ketone bodies are the primary energy source. Beta-hydoxybutyrate (BHOB) is one such ketone body. BHOB is the primary energy source in starvation or strenuous exercise. So, when all the glucose gets used up BHOB becomes the primary energy source.

BHOB concentrations increase in a dose-dependent manner with strenuous exercise. Increases in BHOB bring about epigenetic changes to specific genes related to oxidative stress. Epigenetic changes are simply changes in gene expression. So by exercising "hard", we see a rise in blood concentrations of BHOB, which turns on genes associated with decreasing oxidative stress.

Foxo3a is one of the genes that is affected by changes in BHOB concentrations. This gene and its targets are important in the expression of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), a very important antioxidant. Another way to increase Foxo3a expression is through calorie restriction or carbohydrate restriction.

When we restrict carbohydrates, or simply don't intake high glycemic index grains, sugars, processed products (yes products because they aren't real food), our body begin to burn more ketone bodies for energy. This process of energy production is favorable for the brain, fighting cancer, seizure disorders, ADHD, dementia related symptoms, obesity, stress, etc.

Take away from this study? Ketone bodies will up-regulate the good genes that help buffer excessive oxidative stress. To increase ketone bodies we must eat a low-carb ketogenic diet in addition to a strenuous exercise routine.  The higher the ketone bodies, the lower the glucose and the better your blood sugar handling is.

Source:

Med Hypotheses. 2012 Oct;79(4):433-9. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2012.06.015. Epub 2012 Jul 17. PMID: 22809841