Designs for Health Addresses the Therapeutic Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet for Brain Health and Alzheimer's Awareness Month

NEW YORK, June 5, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Designs For Health (DFH) – a leading practitioner-channel dietary supplement company, has long advocated for the therapeutic benefits supported by the ketogenic diet, recently launching their own practitioner-line of keto products, KTO360TM. This marks the first practitioner-line of keto products made with the keto-friendly, next-generation sweetener, Allulose.

While the keto diet has been used for therapeutic purposes since the 1920s, in recent years there has been a greater understanding of its effect for neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, mood disorders and psychiatric conditions, particularly in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in its precursor disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). According to the Alzheimer's Association, 5.8 million Americans are currently suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, with this number expected to rise to almost 14 million by 2050.

DFH spokesperson, Amy Berger, MS, CNS, notes that "Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment can be thought of as 'fuel shortages' or 'energy crises' in the brain. For those familiar with the pathology of these conditions, using a ketogenic diet is an elegant and scientifically sound way to fuel the brain. After all, the fundamental problem in these conditions is that neurons in affected regions of the brain lose the capacity to harness sufficient energy from glucose."

In some cases, Berger notes that those with AD may be metabolizing 45% less glucose than the brain of a healthy individual, however affected individuals are still able to properly metabolize ketones, which can provide as much as 60% of the brain's energy supply. Ketones may therefore serve as an alternative fuel to nourish the otherwise starving neurons.

Berger remarks that "This is why dramatic improvements have been observed in individuals with AD or MCI who follow ketogenic diets and take exogenous ketone supplements."

The therapeutic potential of ketones has been largely recognized by Alzheimer's researchers, with one study noting that "…two points are clear – (i) AD is at least in part exacerbated by (if not caused by) chronic, progressive brain fuel starvation due specifically to brain glucose deficit, and (ii) attempting to treat the cognitive deficit early in AD using ketogenic interventions in clinical trials is safe, ethical, and scientifically well-founded." (Cunane et al., 2016).

In addition to AD and MCI, Jason Bosely-Smith, MS, LDN, CNS, FDN, Director of Education at Designs for Health, comments that "Beyond stimulating the production of ketones as a fuel source for the central nervous system, ketogenic diets induce several other effects that may explain their efficacy for diverse neurological and neurodegenerative conditions."

The other effects include lower insulin levels, greater productions of GABA and norepinephrine, along with improved mitochondrial function. He states that "Most neurodegenerative disorders are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, so because the ketogenic diet can also improve mitochondrial biogenesis and bioenergetics, this can also make the ketogenic diet an attractive intervention."

With nearly one in six of the world's population suffering from neurological disorders, (according to the World Health Organization), Designs for Health urges everyone to support Brain Health and Alzheimer's Awareness month by wearing purple, learning about warning signs and symptoms of neurological disorders and ways to improve brain health, and by getting involved with national organizations such as the American Brain Foundation and the Alzheimer's Association, which holds an annual "Walk to End Alzheimer's" event nationwide.

For media inquiries, please contact Sara White at sara(at)adinnyc.com or 212-693-2152.

About Designs for Health:
Family-owned Designs for Health offers high-quality dietary supplements and medical foods to healthcare professionals and their patients. Guided by its founding philosophy of "Science First," the company holds an unwavering commitment to creating research-driven formulations with meaningful quantities of dietary ingredients that maximize the potential for successful health outcomes. For nearly 30 years, Designs for Health has been many healthcare professionals' trusted source for not only product innovation, but also leadership in clinical education and practice development solutions. To learn more, visit http://www.designsforhealth.com or call 800.847.8302.

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SOURCE Designs for Health