The Effect of Keto Diet and lifestyle on the Immune System
The keto lifestyle and diet is not new to research on its benefits on metabolism, but its effects on the immune system is new to research until now. A recent study revealed profound beneficial effects of ketone bodies BHB on human T-cell immunity.
A ketogenic diet / lifestyle enhances the production of ketone bodies namely BHB. The ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) does play a key role in immunometabolic signalling. The study found that BHB improves T-cell functionality and primes human T memory cell differentiation which enhances immune systems.
T-cells are known to be the work-horses of the immune system. They are the primary cell type of the adaptive immune system that activate antibodies and other cells to engulf pathogens, as well as initiate the inflammatory cascade to kill infected cells. T-cells get their name because they mature in the Thymus, unlike B cells which mature in the bone marrow. There are many sub-types of T-cells.
4 key types include:
CD8+, attack infected cells
CD4+, produce cytokines to recruit other immune cells
T-regs, shut off immune and inflammatory response when it is no longer needed
T-mem, long-living cells that remember pathogens and infectious cells faster when re-exposed
In the study, healthy participants followed a short term ketogenic diet for 3 weeks. Bloods were collected and analyzed pre and post. The study found that BHB promotes remodeling of the immune system to increase the efficiency of mitochondria within T-cells. The ketogenic diet increased mitochondrial mass, and enhanced oxidative phosphorylation, making mitochondria more efficient at generating energy. Both conditions resulted in an increased formation of memory T cells, and enhanced specific responses of T cells which improve immunity. By improving cellular energetics through bolstering the mitochondria, the immune system is able to strengthen its response.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence on how the keto diet can be used as a clinical tool for restoring and maintaining metabolic and immune health.
A keto low-carbohydrate diet and lifestyle enhances human T-cell immunity through immunometabolic reprogramming.
A very-low-carbohydrate / keto diet may be a very useful tool to improve human T-cell immunity. Rethinking the value of nutrition and dietary interventions in modern health / medicine.
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