Diet against dementia: experts reveal what people over 50 should eat

In experiments with elderly volunteers (11 people), a three-week diet consisting of 70% fats and a minimum of carbohydrates increased cerebral blood flow by 22–24%, activating neuronal metabolism through ketosis.

The mechanism works as follows: ketosis replaces glucose with ketone bodies as the brain’s fuel, enhancing cell repair and resistance to degeneration. Prohibited foods include trans fats, processed foods, fruits, grains, and legumes. Allowed foods include meat, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts, and berries. Positive changes are observed after just 20 days, paving the way for dementia prevention.

Experts see the keto diet as a tool for maintaining cognitive health in the elderly, surpassing the Mediterranean diet in its effects on the brain. “Brain cells became more resilient, and recovery was activated,” note the scientists. Switching to a ketogenic diet requires medical supervision due to the risk of ketoacidosis, kidney and liver strain, electrolyte imbalance, and other side effects, especially in the presence of chronic diseases, pregnancy, or diabetes, reports progorodsamara.