Cell: Keto diet may trigger cellular aging in men

Scientists from The University of Texas at San Antonio have found that the ketogenic diet — a regimen high in fats and low in carbohydrates — may induce processes of cellular aging in male mice, but not in females. The study was published in Cell Reports.

The ketogenic diet is characterized by an extremely low carbohydrate intake (typically no more than 20–50 grams per day) and a high fat content. The main sources of calories include meat, fish, dairy products, nuts, and certain vegetables.

This diet stimulates the production of ketone bodies — an alternative energy source that replaces glucose. Ketogenic diets have already proven effective in treating drug-resistant epilepsy and are being studied as a potential therapy for other conditions, including type 2 diabetes.

To explore the sex-specific effects of the ketogenic diet, the researchers conducted experiments on mice. The results showed that switching to the diet increased markers of oxidative stress and cellular aging in males. In contrast, females did not exhibit these effects.

Moreover, when male mice were given the female sex hormone estrogen (estradiol), the harmful effects of the diet disappeared.

“These findings provide compelling evidence that estrogen plays a protective role in the ketogenic diet,” said lead author Dr. David Gius.

Additionally, the researchers discovered that blocking estrogen receptors in females (using the drug tamoxifen) led to signs of aging and stress in their cells, similar to those seen in males.

The scientists noted that mouse metabolism shares many similarities with human metabolism, suggesting that cellular aging from such diets could also occur in people. This hypothesis requires further confirmation, but the findings already highlight the importance of an individualized approach to therapeutic nutrition, particularly in the long term.

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