Elevated circulating β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations demonstrate significant association with reduced cognitive deterioration risk, providing compelling evidence for ketone metabolism's neuroprotective role. The ketone body appears to shield against age-related mental decline through enhanced cerebral energy utilization and reduced neuroinflammation pathways. This finding strengthens the scientific foundation for metabolic interventions targeting brain health across the lifespan. Ketogenic approaches, intermittent fasting, and MCT supplementation could emerge as practical strategies for cognitive preservation, particularly for adults over 50 facing increased dementia risk. The research validates decades of mechanistic studies showing ketones serve as premium brain fuel when glucose metabolism becomes compromised. However, the observational nature limits causal interpretation, and individual BHB responses vary considerably based on metabolic flexibility, diet history, and genetic factors. The protective threshold concentration remains undefined, and long-term safety of sustained ketosis requires further investigation. This represents confirmatory rather than revolutionary evidence, yet provides measurable biomarker guidance for clinicians and individuals pursuing metabolic optimization. The implications extend beyond cognitive health to potentially influence therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases where glucose hypometabolism precedes clinical symptoms.
Ketone Body β-Hydroxybutyrate Shows Protective Effects Against Brain Aging
📄 Based on research published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
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