Keto Diet Study Shows Improved Exercise Response

A new study published in the journal Nature Communications suggests that eating more fat rather than less could enhance the benefits of exercise when blood sugar levels are high.

• The research was led by Sarah Lessard at Virginia Tech.

Key Findings

• Researchers conducted experiments on mice with high blood sugar that were placed on a ketogenic diet.
• Within one week, their blood sugar levels returned to normal, suggesting strong metabolic effects.

Muscle and Exercise Adaptation

• Over time, the diet also altered the structure of muscles in the mice.
• Scientists observed:
  • Increased oxidative muscle properties
  • Improved response to aerobic exercise
  • Development of more slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are linked with greater endurance
• According to the researchers, the mice used oxygen more efficiently, indicating higher aerobic capacity.

What is a Ketogenic Diet?

• A ketogenic diet is a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein diet.
• It pushes the body into a metabolic state called Ketosis.

How Ketosis Works

• In ketosis:
  • The body reduces reliance on glucose as an energy source.
  • Fat is converted into ketone bodies, which become the primary fuel for the body.

Source: Science Daily