Yale School of Medicine researchers have published a study in online journal Nature Medicine which shows that  a compound produced by the body when dieting or fasting blocks a part of the immune system which is involved in the development of diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease and other auto-inflammatory conditions.

Their  research explains that the compound β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) directly inhibits NLRP3, which is part of a complex set of proteins called the inflammasome. The inflammasome drives the inflammatory response contributing to the development of these disorders.

There are several dietary and lifestyle factors that can be used to promote the production of the compound BHB . These are  high-intensity exercise, caloric restriction or fasting , or consumption of a very low-carbohydrate “ketogenic” diet. Researcher V.D. Dixit said it is well known that fasting and caloric restriction reduces inflammation in the body, but it has not been understood how immune cells adapt to these states.

The researchers studies cells called macrophages . These are specialized immune cells that produce inflammation . When BHB was added to the culture of cells  it reduced inflammation, similar to what happens when a carbohydrate restricted “ketogenic diet”   increases the level of BHB in the bloodstream.

“Our results suggest that the endogenous metabolites like BHB that are produced during low-carb dieting, fasting, or high-intensity exercise can lower the NLRP3 inflammasome,” said researcher Vishwa Deep Dixit. By reducing the proteins called “inflammasome” some of the most common diseases in society could be effectively prevented for many.

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