Thread by @KetoCounselor

Some of you are beginning to understand that to have a healthy brain that allows a good mood and rockin' cognitive function, you need to focus on mitochondrial function. Am I right? 🧵 (1/25)

Some pathways maintaining mitochondrial health include mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial dynamics (fusion and fission process shaping mitochondrial morphology), and mitophagy—the process in charge of removing mitochondria through autophagy. (2/25)

Let's discuss the pathways that maintain mitochondrial health and then look at how ketogenic diets might influence those pathways to help you feel better. Shall we begin? (3/25)

Pathway 1: Mitochondrial Biogenesis
This is the process by which new mitochondria are generated within a cell. It is a complex and highly regulated process. (4/25)

Mitochondrial biogenesis involves the synthesis of mitochondrial DNA, the assembling of mitochondrial proteins, and forming the mitochondrial inner and outer membranes. (5/25)

Mitochondrial biogenesis is triggered by various stimuli, such as exercise, fasting, or exposure to cold temperatures. These stimuli activate signaling pathways and increase the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. (6/25)

You should know that studies have shown that ketogenic diets can increase gene expression favoring mitochondrial biogenesis. (7/25)

This review describes the evidence supporting the enhancement of mitochondrial function and endogenous antioxidant defense in response to nutritional ketosis and the potential mechanisms leading to these adaptations.⬇️ (8/25)

Nutritional ketosis and mitohormesis: potential implications for mitochondrial function and human health. (9/25) hindawi.com/journals/jnme/…

Pathway 2: Mitochondrial Dynamics
There is evidence that ketogenic diets can affect mitochondrial dynamics, including the processes of fusion and fission that shape mitochondrial morphology. (10/25)

Studies in both animals and humans have shown that ketogenic diets can increase the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial fusion, increasing mitochondrial size and network complexity. (11/25)

Additionally, ketogenic diets have been shown to decrease the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial fission, which can promote mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction. (12/25)

These changes in mitochondrial dynamics may contribute to the overall improvement in mitochondrial function observed with ketogenic diets. (13/25)

This article talks about the ketogenic diet's impacts on mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy. Which we are going to learn about next. ⬇️ (14/25)

The ketogenic diet as a therapeutic intervention strategy in mitochondrial disease. (15/25)
doi.org/10.1016/j.bioc…

Pathway 3: Mitochondrial Mitophagy
Mitochondrial mitophagy is the selective removal of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria. This is an important process in the brain that helps maintain a healthy mitochondrial network and reduces oxidative stress. (16/25)

In the brain, mitophagy is particularly important due to the high energy demands of brain cells and their susceptibility to oxidative stress. (17/25)

Impaired mitochondrial function and oxidative stress have been implicated in the development of a variety of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, including #Alzheimers disease, #Parkinsons disease, and #Huntingtons disease. (18/25)

By promoting the selective removal of damaged mitochondria, mitophagy has been suggested as a potential therapeutic target for these conditions. (19/25)

I am not making this up. 🤷🏻 You can totally read about the importance of healthy mitophagy in the brain in this article! ⬇️
(20/25)

mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/2… (21/25)

The mechanisms by which a ketogenic diet (KD) might improve brain mitochondrial mitophagy are not yet fully understood. But we think it has to do, in part, with effects on the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. (22/25)

AMP is involved in regulating energy metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis. AMPK activation has been implicated in the regulation of autophagy and mitophagy. (23/25)

Anticonvulsant mechanisms of the ketogenic diet and caloric restriction. (24/25) doi.org/10.1016/j.eple…

Now that you read yet another impossibly long thread on how ketogenic diets influence mitochondria, you are in a better place to know all the ways you can feel better! (25/25)