New research reveals how the ketogenic diet could help treat multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders through gut microbiome changes.
Why it matters: This breakthrough could lead to supplement-based treatments instead of restrictive diets. The findings open a new frontier in treating autoimmune conditions that affect millions globally.
- Autoimmune disorders like MS currently lack effective treatments that don’t involve severe dietary restrictions or powerful immunosuppressants.
Key finding: The keto diet produces two key compounds – β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) and indole lactic acid (ILA) – that reduced MS symptoms in mice by suppressing inflammatory immune responses.
“What was really exciting was finding that we could protect these mice from inflammatory disease just by putting them on a diet that we supplemented with these compounds.”
Peter Turnbaugh, PhD, of the Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine
The process:
- Researchers studied mice on keto, high-fat, and βHB-supplemented diets
- They identified specific gut bacteria (L. murinus) that produced beneficial compounds
- Both ILA supplements and L. murinus treatment improved MS symptoms in mice
Keep in mind: The research is still in early stages and needs human trials to confirm effectiveness.
Real-world impact: If successful in humans, this could revolutionize autoimmune disease treatment:
- Pharmaceutical companies could develop targeted supplements
- Patients might avoid strict dietary restrictions
- Healthcare providers could have new treatment options
TL;DR
- Keto diet produces compounds that reduce autoimmune inflammation through gut bacteria.
- Supplements might replace strict dietary requirements for treating conditions like MS.
- The discovery could lead to new pharmaceutical treatments for autoimmune disorders.
Read the Paper
A diet-dependent host metabolite shapes the gut microbiota to protect from autoimmunity