Thread by @KetoCounselor

Some of you are a little obsessed with gut health. Which is fine. But you need to understand what a #ketogenic diet can do for gut health. Like seriously, let it do it's magic and calm down with all those probiotics! Prepare for a thread. 🧵(1/18)

Before we discuss microbiome we need to talk about how the ketogenic diet helps improve gut healing and integrity. (2/18)

The gene Hmgcs2 is like a set of instructions that tells the cells in our body how to make molecules called ketone bodies, including a specific type called beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHB). (3/18)

In the small intestine, which is a part of our gut, there are cells called Lgr5+ stem cells that have the ability to renew themselves and make different types of cells that are important for our gut to function properly. (4/18)

The production of βHB is specifically important for these Lgr5+ stem cells and distinguishes them from other cells that are already differentiated or have already turned into a specific cell type. (5/18)

Depleting βHB levels in Lgr5+ stem cells skews their differentiation and impairs their function. βOHB works by inhibiting HDACs to reinforce Notch signaling, which instructs stem cell self-renewal and lineage decisions. (6/18)

So what does this mean? It means a ketogenic diet elevates stem cell function and post-injury regeneration through βHB-mediated Notch signaling in the gut. And a glucose-supplemented diet has the opposite effect. Don't believe me? That's ok. (7/18)

You should totally read this study revealing how the ketogenic diet plays a critical role in regulating stem cell adaptation in homeostasis and injury in the gut. ⬇️ (8/18)

Ketone Body Signaling Mediates Intestinal Stem Cell Homeostasis and Adaptation to Diet. (9/18) doi.org/10.1016/j.cell…

Ok, now let's talk about microbiomes a little bit. Shall we? Some of you are a little obsessed with Bifidobacterium and you are constantly taking probiotics because you have been told it's beneficial. (10/18)

Some of you are avoiding a ketogenic diet because you have read it reduces Bifidobacterium! And that, my friends, is a shame. Let me tell you why. (11/18)

In a recent study, a group of 17 patients was given a regular diet for 4 weeks, followed by a ketogenic diet (KD) for another 4 weeks. (12/18)

The researchers then compared the patients' gut microbiome before and after the KD and found that the levels of Bifidobacteria, a common gut bacteria family, consistently decreased after the KD. They repeated it on mice, which yielded similar results. (13/18)

Further experiments on the mice showed that the KD reduced the level of pro-inflammatory immune cells called Th17 cells in the gut, which suggests that a KD may have the potential to reduce intestinal inflammation. (14/18)

A reduction in Bifidobacteria can reduce inflammation in the gut. Read that again. (15/18)

And read this journal article if you are surprised by this information! Ketogenic diets alter the gut microbiome resulting in decreased intestinal Th17 cells. (2020) doi.org/10.1016/j.cell… (16/18)

So why are you putting more in there with your probiotics on your ketogenic diet? Why are you on a ketogenic diet if you are going to meddle with all the magical things it can do? (17/18) #trust #heal

For goodness' sake, calm down and let it do its awesome thing! Put those probiotics down for a few months! (18/18)