Keto Diet Better Than Flu Shot?

Could it be possible that simply altering your diet could prevent your body from being susceptible to influenza? New research seems to be pointing in that direction. This article describes a recent study conducted among mice where a group of mice were fed strictly a high-fat low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet and placed them in direct comparison with mice fed with high amounts of carbohydrates. The conclusion was that mice on the ketogenic diet fared much better overall in combatting the effects and warding off the influenza virus.

Now, you might be wondering how and why this is the case. It seems as though such a diet is actually capable of activating T-cells in the lungs that otherwise wouldn't have occurred. This then leads to more mucus production, in turn generating more to trap and contain the virus in a more effective manner. They confirmed this finding by feeding mice that were bred to not have these T-cells with the ketogenic diet, and subsequently finding that they did not gain any extra protection against the influenza virus.

These findings are great for the medical community since it is a step towards uncovering just what benefits organisms can gain from something as simple as changing a diet. Although it shouldn't be assumed that these results can be replicated or are applicable to humans, it still demonstrates the great potential of the foods that we eat. What you eat can literally save you from a deadly disease. Crazy!

Posted by Brian Lee (10)