TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) Inflammation and ketosis or exogenous ketones, plus toxoplasmosis

(graham) #1

hello
Someone I work with has a compromised autoimmune system, and has also had attacks of toxoplasmosis which has seriously threatened her eyesight.

We had wondered about keto but some early research suggested that ketosis might actually increase TNF, which is the form of inflammation she has the highest level of.
eg https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=E-VDDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=ketosis+TNF+inflammation+tumor+necrosis+factor&source=bl&ots=w9D8f2pTis&sig=iHhcLoWQoYjxPLYcYrbRfw9cbqk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiF_qyz6tzYAhUE34MKHaAIDrIQ6AEIVjAJ#v=onepage&q=ketosis%20TNF%20inflammation%20tumor%20necrosis%20factor&f=false

Also one blog poster suggested that ketosis might actually be a risk factor for toxoplasmosis, see below

Thus we are wondering how much to trust these views and whether keto might be exactly the wrong route for someone like this?? Any help gratefully received

from the blog on mark’s apple:
''I believe the chief risks from ketogenic dieting are:

  1. Promotion of protozoal and fungal infections. While ketogenic dieting is helpful against bacterial and viral infections, fungi and protozoa are eukaryotes who can metabolize ketones in their mitochondria. In fact, because ketones are water-soluble small molecules and diffuse into pathogen mitochondria, while glucose and fatty acids are chaperoned through the human body by transport molecules, ketones are a uniquely available energy substrate for parasitic fungi and protozoa. Moreover, glucose is a major resource for the immune defense against these pathogens, and induction of ketosis by carb restriction can diminish immunity against protozoa and fungi. Since protozoal infections such as Toxoplasma gondii and fungal infections such as Candida are now common, each afflicting perhaps 30% of the population or more, this is a major concern.

  2. Ketosis induced through severe carb and protein restriction may trigger the dangers of zero-carb dieting. I’ve done a series on this (it started here).

The solution is to achieve ketosis intermittently, through tactics like daily intermittent fasting, and to induce it positively through the consumption of short-chain fats such as are found in coconut oil or MCTs, or through leucine supplementation. A healthy diet, ketogenic or not, should meet our recommendations of at least 200 carb calories from starches and at least 600 calories from carbs plus protein.

(Ken) #2

Good illustration of some of the ignorant nuttiness out there.

If fact, they’re saying that in order for a ketogenic diet to be healthy, you have to consume enough carbs to not be in ketosis.

(Bacon is a many-splendoured thing) #3

“The dangers of zero-carb dieting”? Huh? The minimum daily requirement is 0 grams. The body is perfectly capable of generating the minimal amount of glucose needed by the brain and whatever other organs. It’s called “gluconeogenesis,” and Mark Sisson should know that.

(graham) #4

Thank you. but … here is someone who has a serious health risk, possible blindness due to toxo, and a compromised autoimmune system.
a poster elsewhere suggested for example that '# ketones are a uniquely available energy substrate for parasitic fungi and protozoa. Moreover, glucose is a major resource for the immune defense against these pathogens, and induction of ketosis by carb restriction can diminish immunity against protozoa and fungi. ’

In addition others have suggested that the inflammatory marker TNF, which is how her particualr form of inflammation shows up, increases with ketogenic diets

has anyone any response to either of these issues?