Gender-Specific Effects of a Keto Diet: Females May Benefit More Than Males

Recent research from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio indicates that a ketogenic diet may have different impacts on males and females, with females seemingly experiencing protective effects against certain adverse outcomes of the diet. The study, published in Cell Reports, examined how sex influences the biological responses to a low-carb, high-fat ketogenic regimen.

The researchers discovered that male mice on a ketogenic diet showed increased accumulation of cells expressing markers of senescence—cells that have stopped dividing and are linked to aging and tissue decline. These same effects were not observed in female mice unless they were administered estrogen, suggesting that estrogen plays a crucial protective role. When female mice received estrogen or estradiol, they exhibited fewer signs of cellular aging and oxidative stress, both of which are associated with age-related declines.

Interestingly, when female mice were treated with tamoxifen, an estrogen receptor inhibitor, they began to display increased cellular senescence and oxidative stress similar to male mice, highlighting estrogen's importance in mediating diet effects. Additionally, a high-fat diet with more carbohydrates than a keto diet also induced senescence in males but not females.

The implications of these findings suggest that hormonal differences, particularly estrogen, may influence how individuals respond to ketogenic diets. Such sex-specific responses could have significant clinical relevance, especially when considering dietary interventions for aging or age-related diseases.

Ketogenic diets are known to induce ketogenesis, the process where fat-derived molecules called ketone bodies serve as alternative fuel sources. Besides their role in managing epilepsy and blood sugar levels in diabetes, these diets are increasingly popular for weight loss and potential health benefits. However, this study emphasizes the need to consider sex differences in research and personalized dietary planning.

Overall, the study underscores the importance of including both sexes in nutritional research and highlights estrogen as a key factor in the biological response to a ketogenic diet, which could influence future dietary recommendations and therapeutic strategies.