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Prolonged ketogenic diet accumulates old cells in normal tissues
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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The strict "keto-friendly" diet, popular for weight loss and diabetes treatment, may not be so harmless depending on the diet itself and the individual characteristics of the person.
A new study by researchers at UT Health San Antonio found that long-term adherence to a ketogenic diet can cause senescence, or cell aging, in normal tissues, with particularly pronounced effects on heart and kidney function. However, an intermittent ketogenic diet, with scheduled breaks, did not exhibit the pro-inflammatory effects caused by senescent cells, according to the study.
The findings have significant clinical implications, suggesting that the beneficial effects of the ketogenic diet may be enhanced by scheduled breaks.
"To put this into perspective, 13 million Americans are on the ketogenic diet, and we say you have to take breaks from that diet or there could be long-term consequences," David Gius said.
Giuse is the lead author of a new study titled, "Ketogenic Diet Induces p53-Dependent Cellular Senescence in Multiple Organs," published in the journal Science Advances.
The study authors also represent the Department of Radiation Oncology and Mays Cancer Center, the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging, the Center for Precision Medicine, the School of Nursing, and the Division of Nephrology in the Department of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio; and the Houston Methodist Cancer Center and Research Institute.
Too Much of a Good Thing The ketogenic diet, popularly known as the keto-friendly diet, is a high-fat, low-carb diet that results in the formation of ketones, a type of chemical the liver produces when it breaks down fat. While the ketogenic diet improves certain health conditions and is popular for weight loss, pro-inflammatory effects have also been documented.
Two different ketogenic diets induce cellular senescence. Source: Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado1463
A new study shows that mice on two different ketogenic diets and at different ages developed cellular senescence in multiple organs, including the heart and kidneys. However, this cellular senescence was reversed by senolytics, or a class of small molecules that can kill aging cells, and prevented by the introduction of an intermittent ketogenic diet regimen.
"Because cellular senescence has been implicated in organ disease pathology, our findings have important clinical implications for understanding the use of the ketogenic diet," Gius said. "As with other nutritional interventions, you need to take a 'keto break.'"