An associate professor at the University of South Florida, Dominic D’Agostino focuses his clinical research in areas such as muscle function, ketone supplementation, KetoNutrition, and ketone technologies. A respected voice in his field, Dominic D’Agostino is co-author of the article “Metabolic switching is impaired by aging and facilitated by ketosis independent of glycogen” (Aging, May 2020). The paper focuses on the body’s ability to transition between glycolysis and ketosis. This process enables fat oxidation metabolism and is a survival mechanism during times of fasting. Also elicited by stress and carbohydrate restriction, metabolic switching is delayed among aged rats. The study involved young and aged rats being administered time-restricted feeding (TRF) with either ketogenic diets (KD) or standard diets. Glycogen dynamics, as well as glycolysis and ketosis switching, were then measured. TRF alone had an effect in reversing insulin-related metabolic deficit markers and accelerated the metabolic switching process among aged rats. The KD+TRF combination added to these benefits, with abilities to keto-adapt shown as not correlated with glycogen levels. While the reason for the age-related impairment and delayed Keto-adapting from glycolysis is still unknown, the study provides new insight. In particular, it helps define keto-adaptation mechanisms, and potential pathways across the lifespan, for treating metabolic impairment through dietary interventions.

1. Understanding Keto-Adaptation Mechanisms across the
Lifespan
Dominic D'Agostino

2. Introduction
An associate professor at the University of South Florida, Dominic D’Agostino focuses his
clinical research in areas such as muscle function, ketone supplementation, KetoNutrition,
and ketone technologies. A respected voice in his field, Dominic D’Agostino is co-author of
the article “Metabolic switching is impaired by aging and facilitated by ketosis independent
of glycogen” (Aging, May 2020).

3. The paper focuses on the body’s ability to transition between glycolysis and ketosis. This
process enables fat oxidation metabolism and is a survival mechanism during times of
fasting. Also elicited by stress and carbohydrate restriction, metabolic switching is
delayed among aged rats.

4. The study involved young and aged rats being administered time-restricted feeding
(TRF) with either ketogenic diets (KD) or standard diets. Glycogen dynamics, as well
as glycolysis and ketosis switching, were then measured. TRF alone had an effect in
reversing insulin-related metabolic deficit markers and accelerated the metabolic
switching process among aged rats. The KD+TRF combination added to these
benefits, with abilities to keto-adapt shown as not correlated with glycogen levels.

5. While the reason for the age-related impairment and delayed Keto-adapting from
glycolysis is still unknown, the study provides new insight. In particular, it helps define
keto-adaptation mechanisms, and potential pathways across the lifespan, for treating
metabolic impairment through dietary interventions.