Modified Atkins Diet May Boost Cognitive Performance in Older Adults

A pilot study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found a variant of the Atkins diet can moderately improve cognitive performance in some older adults, reports SlashGear . The modified diet had very low amounts of carbohydrates, but higher fat levels. In comparison to subjects who consumed a low-fat diet, the participants exhibited small but "measurable" improvements when taking standardized tests. The findings verified that a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet can positively affect cognition in adults who may be in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Persons who consume a very low carbohydrate diet and offset this with more fat can use ketones as an alternative source of energy. Participants with the highest levels of ketones in their urine also experienced "significant improvements" in memory.