study Archives | Keto Zone Diet by Dr. Don Colbert

New Study: Keto Zone Diet May Improve Cognition in Early Alzheimer’s

A new preliminary study has found that a ketogenic diet, like the Keto Zone Diet may improve cognition in early Alzheimer’s and those with early cognitive decline.

Whether you or a loved one is facing cognitive issues, or you’re just looking to keep your brain healthy and prevent them, this is great news!

Here’s what the study entails and the conclusions drawn on Keto Zone and cognitive decline.

Preliminary Study: Keto Zone Diet May Improve Cognition in Early Alzheimer’s

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland published this study in 2019 (1).

The study included 14 participants who completed the trial; 9 participants followed a modified Atkins keto diet, and 5 followed the dietary guidelines recommended by the National Institute on Aging (non-keto).

While both diets had “fair” compliance rates, the researchers were able to gather data on memory scores based on these diets.

The Results: Does The Keto Zone Diet Improve Cognition?

Within the participants who generated trace amounts of ketones on the keto diet, cognitive abilities improved significantly.

In fact, researchers found a large and statistically significant increase in participant’s Memory Composite Score between the baseline and week-6 assessment.

The keto participants also reported improved energy levels.

Keto Zone vs. Medications

This study is so promising, because current medication protocols have produced dismal results for those with early and late Alzheimer’s.

In fact, of the 413 clinical trials of new medications for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) conducted between 2002 and 2012, almost all of them have failed. Astonishingly, 99.6% of the drugs tested yielded no significant benefit.

It has almost seemed hopeless.

However, more and more, experts are leaning towards lifestyle changes over medications, targeting the route of the problem from sugars, inflammation, and diet.

How the Keto Zone Diet Affects the Brain

Ketone bodies are used as a fat-based source of energy for the brain and body, instead using glucose and carbohydrates as energy.

When you start a Keto Zone Diet, your brain will begin to burn ketones instead of carbs as fuel. In addition, the use of MCT oil powder and exogenous ketones can expedite ketone production.

Astonishingly, the usage of ketones as brain fuel has shown successful for decades to help children with epilepsy vastly reduce seizures (without medications) (2).

Now, experts believe ketones can help others disorders and diseases, as well. There’s evidence from uncontrolled clinical trials and animal studies that ketones can provide disease-modifying activity in the brain of those with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Additionally, ketones may also protect against brain damage from traumatic brain injury and stroke (3).

For those not affected by cognitive decline, many people in ketosis report greater brain clarity, focus, and function than before.

Keto Zone Diet: Low Sugar Means Less Harm to the Brain & Body

Did you know a high sugar diet can actually hurt the brain? Although without ketones, glucose is the primary brain fuel; too much sugar is detrimental to the brain and can cause:

Sugar Addiction
Depression
Memory Decline (4)
Mood Swings
Anxiety
Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes (those with Type 2 Diabetes are now twice as likely to get dementia, than those without) (5)

The Keto Zone Diet: Beyond Ketones

Unlike many keto diets, the Keto Zone Diet goes beyond the status quo of low-carbs and high-fats. It promotes whole-foods, anti-inflammatory fats, vegetables, healthy proteins, and an overall anti-inflammatory lifestyle.

The Keto Zone Diet also includes recommendations for adequate sleep, intermittent fasting, faith and prayer, reduced anxiety and stress, and supplement to improve health.

All of these encompass a “healthy brain,” and healthy body lifestyle.

Preliminary Study Challenges

While the results of Johns Hopkins’ study are incredibly promising, the study still faced challenges and detractors. First, there were only 14 participants, and second, the two diets weren’t followed as closely as researchers would have liked.

Still, researchers were able to measure ketones in the urine. And then, linked results to the ketosis. The results of the study are still promising and warrants further investigation.

Bottom Line

With an increasing number of dementia cases, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer’s, we desperately need a cure. Diet may be the answer. Studies, such as the John Hopkins preliminary one, point to lifestyle, diet, and ketosis, rather than medication, as the answer. The Keto Zone Diet may improve cognition and may be the answer we need.

Should the Military Adopt the Keto Zone Diet?

Articles , Keto Zone Blog , July 9, 2019

A new study has researchers and Commanders alike wondering: Should the military adopt the Keto Zone Diet?

The study was conducted on the Army ROTC cadet population at Ohio State University. The purpose? To see if a Keto Zone-type diet is a better choice for military personnel. Could it improve weight, mental clarity, health, and performance?

The Study: Should the Military Adopt the Keto Zone Diet

The study was conducted by Jeff Volek, Ph.D., and is the first study to explore the feasibility and impact of a 12-week ketogenic diet on overweight U.S. military personnel (1).

In it, 15 overweight participants followed a diet similar to the Keto Zone and were compared to 14 overweight participants who remained on a standard diet. The study lasted 12 weeks and also included a physical training regimen.

In both diets, participants were not calorie restricted.

The Results

The cadets on a Keto Zone Diet:

Lost an average of 17 pounds (7.5 kilograms)
Resulted in a 5% overall body fat loss
Decreased visceral fat by 44%
Improved insulin sensitivity by 48%

Meanwhile, there wasn’t significant change for the participants on the standard diet in terms of weight or fat loss.

In both groups, the training regimen improved physical strength, agility, and endurance similarly (1).

Why the Keto Zone Diet Works

There are many reasons the Keto Zone Diet can help anyone, including military members, meet their weight and health goals. Here are the reasons it makes sense for the military to adopt the Keto Zone diet:

1. THE KETO ZONE PROMOTES WEIGHT LOSS WITHOUT HUNGER

Hunger is one of the biggest reasons most people can’t stick with a standard diet. Once hungry, many people fixate on what they want to eat, but can’t have. Oftentimes, those diet-induced “intense cravings” are simply intense hunger. But there’s not a hunger issue with the Keto Zone. Keto Zone’s low-carb eating and ketosis automatically leads to a reduction in appetite (2). Which occurs for a few reasons:

Healthy fat foods are filling and promote satiety
Proteins are slow-digesting, allowing eaters to feel satisfied
Ketone production suppresses appetite
Leptin levels are optimized signaling fullness

What’s more, according to several studies, people eat fewer calories when they eat low-carbohydrate while increasing protein and fat (2).

2. KETO ZONE EATING LEADS TO QUICK INITIAL WEIGHT LOSS, MOSTLY ABDOMINAL FAT

There’s little doubt; when you cut carbs significantly, you’ll lose weight. In fact, you’ll specifically lose abdominal fat, and you’ll see the most results in the first 6 months. First, low-carb diets help your body rid itself of excess water and bloating, especially in the mid-section. Then, low-carb diets lower insulin. Even moderately high insulin levels stand as a barrier to fat breakdown and loss.

Low-carb eaters generally see fat loss in the first 2 weeks (3). Typically, they lose 200-300% more weight than low-fat dieters, and they’re able to do it without hunger (4, 5).

3. THE KETO ZONE HELPS LOWER HARMFUL TRIGLYCERIDES AND BLOOD PRESSURE

The military is certainly not immune to heart disease and cardiovascular issues. Keto Zone can help. How?

Triglycerides are fat molecules that circulate in your bloodstream. When triglycerides are high, there is a high risk of heart disease (6).

What causes high triglycerides? You’ve guessed it: In sedentary people, it’s simple sugar and carbohydrate consumption (7, 8, 9).

Cut the carbs with Keto Zone and you’ll see a drop in triglycerides (10, 11).

You’ll also see blood pressure fall. Elevated blood pressure puts you at risk of many diseases including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Low-carb Keto Zone eating is a great antidote (12, 13).

4. KETO ZONE SUPPORTS BETTER CHOLESTEROL NUMBERS

Additionally, the Keto Zone Diet will also promote better cholesterol readings.

First, Keto Zone will improve high-density lipoprotein (HDL) numbers. Since a better ratio of HDL to “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) lowers your risk of heart disease, this is great news (14, 15, 16)!

Then, Keto Zone can even improve the type of LDL cholesterol in your blood. Especially if you include medium-chain triglycerides, you can reduce the bad type of LDL cholesterol that is able to enter cell walls and form plaques.

5. KETO ZONE IS GREAT FOR BLOOD SUGARS AND DIABETES

This one’s simple. If you cut carbs, you will lower blood sugars and risk of diabetes.

Unfortunately, diabetes and insulin resistance now affects millions of people worldwide (17, 18). Not only is diabetes a medical condition in and of itself, but high blood sugars also make it very difficult to lose weight.

Multiple studies have concluded that cutting carbs dramatically reduces blood sugars and insulin levels (19, 20). Cutting carbs is drastic, that it’s important to warn your doctor about the diet change, as you’ll likely need less insulin and/or medication in order to not experience low blood sugars.

6. KETO ZONE IS BENEFICIAL FOR BRAIN HEALTH

Weight loss and improved clarity and focus?

When you don’t eat as many carbs, your brain will begin to burn ketones as fuel.

Astonishingly, this change in brain fuel has shown successful for decades to help children with epilepsy vastly reduce seizures (without medications) (22).

Now, there is promising research on ketosis and brain improvements for degenerative brain conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease (23).

What’s more, many people in ketosis report greater brain clarity, focus, and function than before.

Super Power for Navy Seals

Beyond weight loss, there may be extra “superpower” benefits for squads like Navy Seals.

According to Lisa Sanders, the director of science and technology at U.S. Special Operations Command, “One of the effects of truly being in ketosis is that it changes the way your body handles oxygen deprivation, so you can actually stay underwater at depths for longer periods of time and not go into oxygen seizures.”

If true, this may be an extra reason for specific units in the military to adopt the Keto Zone Diet.

Additionally, Keto Zone can drastically improve body composition for special forces with a combo of fat loss and muscle gains.

Keto Zone Diet Challenges for the Military

While small units would likely have a high rate of success with the Keto Zone diet, there are some challenges to adopting it military-wide.

First, there’s the question of adherence to the diet. The military routinely conducts fitness tests, but it would be next level to also conduct ketone strip tests, or otherwise ensure that troops are in ketosis.
Next, the cost of eating healthy fats, proteins, and vegetables may be higher than the standard American diet, full of processed foods, many eat now.
The military’s on-the-field traditional meal, Ready To Eat meals (RTEs) would have to undergo a drastic overhaul. These meals are typically high carb, with fewer fats and proteins.

Bottom Line

There’s little doubt that the Keto Zone Diet could have a significant and positive impact on many military service members. Perhaps the best option would be to use it with specific subgroups, either for performance benefits or weight loss and health improvements. The Keto Zone Diet is a healthy science-backed way to improve weight, health, mental clarity, and performance. These factors answer the question “Should the military adopt the Keto Zone Diet” with a “yes.”