The ketogenic (keto) diet is one of the most popular eating plans for a reason. The low-carb, high-fat diet promotes weight loss, boosts heart health and suppresses inflammation. But can going keto help relieve brain inflammation?

What is brain inflammation?

While inflammation is a normal process that your body uses to protect yourself from anything harmful, like a wound or a cold, too much stress is also associated with different health problems and long-term conditions.

The human brain can also be harmed by inflammation, both acute and chronic. Brain inflammation is a silent killer and it is best to learn its symptoms so you can prevent it before it’s too late.

You may have inflammation in the brain if you experience one or more of the following:

• Being unable to focus or having a short attention span.
• Extreme fatigue or constantly needing caffeine to feel awake.
• Slow mental processing or “brain fog” (memory issues and lack of mental clarity).
• Having strong reactions to environmental allergens or toxins, like artificial perfume, pollution, secondhand smoke, or other chemical smells.

Chronic inflammation in the brain is also associated with one or more other health conditions. These include:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Anxiety
• Dementia
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome or pre-diabetes
• Mood disorders
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke
• Schizophrenia

Meanwhile, the exact cause of brain inflammation or encephalitis remains unknown. However, it is most commonly associated with a viral infection. The common viruses that can cause brain inflammation include herpes simplex virus, enteroviruses, mosquito-borne viruses, tick-borne viruses, rabies virus and childhood infections. In addition, bacterial infections and noninfectious inflammatory conditions can also cause brain inflammation. This condition can occur in anyone, but an increased risk can be seen in young children and older adults and people with HIV/AIDS or those with a weakened immune system. The possibility of developing the condition also depend on geographical regions and season of the year.

Four keto foods to fight brain inflammation

Fortunately, inflammation in the brain can be prevented by eating foods that nourish the brain. Here are four foods included in the keto diet that can do that:

1. Avocado – Avocado is a known superfood because it is not only rich in healthy fats, but also in various vitamins and minerals. It has monounsaturated fats that can help restrain and balance oxidized cholesterol, which is an inflammatory marker that can be linked with brain inflammation and other health risks such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Coconut oil – Coconut oil is another superfood that contains medium chain fatty acid that can be transformed by the liver into ketones for fuel. Consuming coconut oil can be beneficial to the brain as it can lessen inflammation. Moreover, it can help lower insulin and reduce body fat as well as aid in weight loss.
3. Grass-fed butter – Grass-fed butter is a type of butter that is rich in fats and butyric acid — a nutrient that can help to decrease glucose and reverse inflammatory damage from high levels. However, you must be careful when selecting butter. Make sure that it is grass-fed and of high quality because conventional butter does not have the same fatty acid contents.
4. Salmon – Salmon has the greatest levels of omega-3 fatty acids compared to other fish varieties. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to contain strong anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the consumption of high-quality salmon and other fatty fish can slow down cognitive decline and decrease the signs of aging. In turn, these can make or keep the brain healthy.

Try going keto if you are experiencing symptoms of brain inflammation. After all, eating well and having good lifestyle habits is the best way to maintain your physical and mental health.

Sources:

Blog.PaleoHacks.com

MayoClinic.org