A popular ketogenic diet may not affect men and women in the same way, according to new research from UT Health San Antonio.
In a study published in Cell Reports, scientists found that male mice developed signs of oxidative stress and cell aging on a keto diet, while female mice did not, an effect linked to the protective role of estrogen.
The keto diet, which is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, has been used for decades to help manage epilepsy and is sometimes prescribed for blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. In recent years, it has also become a popular weight-loss strategy. But this study highlights that biological sex may be an important factor in how the body responds.
Male mice on a keto diet showed increases in cellular senescence, cells that no longer divide and can contribute to age-related decline, as well as markers of oxidative stress. When given estrogen or estradiol, those effects were prevented. Female mice, on the other hand, only showed these negative changes when their estrogen activity was blocked with tamoxifen. Antioxidants also appeared to help reduce harmful effects in males.
“These results suggest sex specificity alters the effects of a ketogenic diet, with important clinical implications,” said lead author David Gius, MD, PhD, of UT Health San Antonio.
The findings point to the need for more research into how men and women may experience diets differently, and whether hormone status should be considered in dietary recommendations. While this study was done in mice, researchers note it adds to growing evidence that one-size-fits-all diet advice may not reflect real biological differences.
The study was supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, the National Institute on Aging, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the Mays Cancer Center, the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, the San Antonio Nathan Shock Center and philanthropic support from Dr. M. Neal and R. Neal. Galera Therapeutics, Inc.