The therapeutic properties of ketogenic diets, slow-wave sleep, and circadian synchrony

Purpose of review To summarize emerging connections between sleep, ketogenic diets, and health. Recent findings Mechanisms involved in the therapeutic benefits of ketogenic diets continue to be elucidated. Concurrently, the importance of sleep quality and circadian rhythms in their effects on metabolic and cognitive health is increasingly appreciated. Advances in the understanding of the actions of adenosine, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and slow-wave sleep underscore connections between these areas of research. Summary Many molecular pathways activated during ketogenic diets are known to modulate sleep–wake cycles, circadian rhythms, and sleep stages. Ketogenic diets often have beneficial effects on sleep at the same time as having beneficial effects on particular medical conditions. Enhancement of slow-wave sleep and rejuvenation of circadian programming may be synergistic with or causally involved in the benefits of ketogenic diets.
Source: Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity - Category: Endocrinology Tags: OBESITY AND NUTRITION: Edited by Eric C. Westman Source Type: research