Keto diet may protect developing brains from prenatal stress

A study shows that a ketogenic diet in young rats can protect developing brains from prenatal stress, reducing long-term behavioral issues and offering potential pathways for early dietary interventions in humans.

A new study suggests that a ketogenic diet — high in fat and low in carbohydrates — may protect developing brains from the lasting effects of prenatal stress. Researchers from the University of Milan presented the findings at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) conference, emphasizing the potential of early dietary interventions to prevent mood and social disorders.

Prenatal Stress and Lifelong Effects

Previous research has established that stress during pregnancy can have long-lasting consequences on offspring, including altered social behaviors, motivational deficits, and increased susceptibility to mood disorders. The Italian team investigated whether diet could mitigate these effects.

Pregnant rats were exposed to stress during the final week of gestation. After birth, their offspring were weaned at 21 days and assigned either a standard diet or a ketogenic diet. By day 42, the researchers tested the young rats for behavioral outcomes, including sociability and interest in their surroundings.

Remarkable Protective Effects

The results were striking. Half of the rats on a standard diet exhibited stress-related behavioral issues. In contrast, only 22% of male rats and 12% of female rats on the ketogenic diet showed similar problems. Rats on the diet also displayed longer grooming times and increased sociability, suggesting that the diet actively promoted healthy brain development.

Lead researcher Dr. Alessia Marchesin explained, “The ketogenic diet seems to act like a shield for developing brains, preventing social and motivational problems from taking root. This opens the door for potential early-life interventions that could reduce the risk of mood and social disorders later in life.”

Sex-Specific Biological Pathways

The study also revealed that the diet works differently in males and females. Male rats appeared to benefit primarily through reduced inflammation, while females showed enhanced antioxidant defenses. These findings indicate that future interventions could be tailored to sex-specific biological responses, maximizing their effectiveness.

Implications for Human Health

While these findings are currently limited to rats, they highlight the growing field of nutritional psychiatry, which explores how diet can influence mental health. Dr. Aniko Korosi of the University of Amsterdam, who was not involved in the study, commented, “This work suggests that prenatal stress-induced behavioral risks can be modulated with dietary strategies. Understanding the underlying biological mechanisms will be crucial before translating these findings to humans.”

Researchers caution that more studies are needed to determine how such dietary interventions could be safely applied in humans. Variables like growth rates, calorie intake, and sex-specific effects need careful consideration. Nonetheless, the study represents a promising step toward using nutrition to safeguard mental health from the earliest stages of life.