Shows
Metabolic MindThe Truth About Tapering Off Psychiatric MedicationsHave you ever thought about stopping psychiatric medications? Maybe you have tried it.If so, you’re not alone. Many individual across the world have considered or tried stopping their psychiatric medications and success is variable.The withdrawal from psychiatric medication tapering can be incredibly complex, and doing it safely requires both medical and psychological support.But, as Dr. Anders Sørensen highlights in this interview, the guidelines around medication tapering and withdrawal miss a lot of important nuances that can prevent people from being successful.In this interview, psychologist and PhD...2025-06-2344 minMetabolic MindWhat’s the connection between Depression, antipsychotics, and suicide risk?Is it really treatment-resistant depression or are we using the wrong treatments?In this episode, Dr. Bret Scher is joined by psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede to examine a new large, population-based analysis on the use of antipsychotics versus third-line antidepressants in people diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, and what effect that has on suicide risk.They discuss:What treatment-resistant depression actually meansWhy so many people fall into this categoryThe surprising data on suicide risk and all-cause mortalityThe metabolic side effects of antipsychotic medicationsAlternative options beyond antipsychotics—including ketogenic therapy and other metabolic strategiesThis co...2025-06-2322 minMetabolic Mind14 Keto Myths DebunkedAre ketogenic diets dangerous? What about nutrient deficiencies, gout, gut health, keto rash, bone density loss, or kidney stones?In this video, registered dietitian and ketogenic therapy expert Beth Zupec-Kania, RDN, CD, shares insights from over 30 years of clinical experience to address the most common concerns and misconceptions about ketogenic therapiesFrom vitamin and mineral intake to gallbladder issues, sleep disruptions, leg cramps, keto flu, and more, this interview covers it all.Beth also explains how ketogenic therapy can be adapted for various lifestyles, preferences, and health conditions, and offers practical tips for...2025-06-1752 minMetabolic Mind“Can Drinking Ketones Help Treat Mental Illness?” featuring Dr. Karin HuizerCan exogenous ketones help treat mental illness? In this interview, psychiatry resident and researcher in the Netherlands Dr. Karin Huizer shares groundbreaking insights into her pilot study using ketone esters for mental health. The hope is that this early research will inform us to whether or not supplemental ketones are a viable option for mental health, which could be especially useful for patients who struggle to follow a full ketogenic diet.Dr. Huizer brings a unique perspective as both a scientist and someone living with bipolar disorder. She discusses:Why exogenous ketones might be a more...2025-05-3131 minMetabolic MindWhat Happens When Kids Try Keto for Bipolar? featuring Elizabeth ErricoYouth mental illness is on the rise, and treatment options are often limited, especially for kids with bipolar disorder. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting a groundbreaking new real-world data collection funded by the Baszucki Group exploring ketogenic therapy as a promising intervention for children and adolescents living with bipolar disorder.In this interview, Elizabeth Errico, founder of the Children's Mental Health Resource Center (CMHRC), shares how her organization is implementing ketogenic therapy in a real-world setting for kids aged 6 to 17. The year-long study is part of a larger initiative supported by the Baszucki Group to...2025-05-3133 minMetabolic MindCan Ketogenic Therapy Put OCD Into Remission?Can ketogenic therapy help reduce or even resolve symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)? Dr. Chris Palmer and research assistant Aaron MacDonald join Metabolic Mind to discuss one of the first published case series exploring metabolic and ketogenic interventions for OCD. In this video, you’ll learn: - Why OCD deserves more attention as a serious, life-limiting condition - How three individuals saw dramatic symptom relief using a therapeutic ketogenic diet - What role ketosis may play in symptom reduction and why results varied from two weeks to a full year - The potential mechanisms behind metabolic therapies and br...2025-05-2740 minMetabolic MindMental Health Meets Heart Health in New Mayo Clinic InitiativeCan ketogenic therapy improve both cardiovascular and mental health? A new study at Mayo Clinic is exploring that question—and during Mental Health Awareness Month, it's especially exciting to see one of the world’s most prestigious medical institutions investigating the connection between ketogenic therapy and psychiatric care. This research marks a powerful full-circle moment: the ketogenic diet was first used to treat epilepsy at Mayo Clinic over 100 years ago.In this episode, we sit down with two leading physician-scientists from Mayo Clinic: Dr. Mark A. Frye (Psychiatry) and Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez (Preventive Cardiology). Together, they explore how...2025-05-1950 minMetabolic MindNew Research Pinpoints Midlife Brain Decline & How to Slow ItDementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive decline should not be inevitable parts of aging. In this interview, Dr. Lily Mujica-Parodi and Dr. Kirk Nylen join Dr. Bret Scher to discuss groundbreaking research revealing a key metabolic midlife marker of accelerated cognitive decline and a potential solution for slowing it.In this interview, you’ll learn:Why brain network stability rapidly declines in midlifeHow insulin resistance in neurons may be the early driver of neurodegenerationThe critical age window where metabolic interventions could have the biggest impactWhy ketones (from diet or supplementation) may restore brain function and slow cogn...2025-05-1247 minMetabolic MindHow Mitochondria Shape Your Mind, Mood, & Mental Health with Dr. Martin PicardMitochondria do more than power our cells: they shape how we think, feel, and experience the world. In this interview, Dr. Martin Picard breaks down his new research that illuminates how mitochondria affect brain energy, brain networks, mental health, and ultimately, our quality of life.Dr. Picard walks us through his team's revolutionary brain mapping study, which examined over 700 sections of the human brain to uncover how mitochondria are distributed and specialized by brain region and cell type. The results have profound implications for how we understand, cognitive decline, and psychiatric disorders like depression bipolar disorder and...2025-05-0538 minMetabolic MindCan Creatine Help with Depression? Exploring the Science with Dr. Nick FabianoCreatine isn’t just for gym gains, it supports your brain too!Creatine is best known for boosting physical performance, but research has also identified its ability to improve areas of cognitive function like memory and mood.Research suggests that when creatine is used alongside first-line treatments, like antidepressants and CBT, it may enhance therapeutic outcomes, leading to faster and more robust improvements in symptoms.In this interview, Dr. Nick Fabiano, a psychiatry resident and researcher at the University of Ottawa, joins Metabolic Mind to explore the emerging evidence behind creatine as a po...2025-04-2825 minMetabolic MindCan Keto Help Pediatric Bipolar? Groundbreaking Trial BeginsThe first-ever clinical trial of ketogenic therapy for pediatric bipolar disorder is now enrolling.In March, we announced two new initiatives funded by the Baszucki Group aiming to explore ketogenic metabolic therapy in pediatric bipolar patients.The first major initiative—now actively enrolling participants—is a multi-site clinical trial conducted by four institutions within the Baszucki Group-funded Child and Adolescent Bipolar Network (CABIN): the UCLA Semel Institute, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.In this video, Dr. David Miklowitz, a renowned expe...2025-04-2530 minMetabolic MindCan Ketogenic Therapy Help Autism and Mental Health? | Dr. Eline Dekeyster on Mechanisms & HopeCould ketogenic therapy change the future of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treatment?The CDC estimates that 1 in 36 children are affected by ASD but due to the wide variety of signs and symptoms associated, it’s likely that this doesn’t account for everyone impacted. And treatment options are scarce and vary in effectiveness.In this video, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Eline Dekeyster, Assistant Professor at Leiden University and Head of the Lifestyle Brain Interaction research group, to explore how nutritional ketosis may support individuals with autism and other brain-based conditions.Dr...2025-04-2138 minMetabolic MindStudy Shocks Cardiologists: LDL Didn’t Predict PlaqueWhat if everything we thought we knew about cholesterol and heart disease risk… doesn’t apply to everyone?In this episode, world-renowned cardiologist Dr. Matthew Budoff unpacks the results of a landmark one-year study tracking 100 lean, metabolically healthy individuals on a ketogenic diet with extremely elevated LDL levels.Dr. Budoff is the Program Director, Director of Cardiac CT, and the endowed chair of preventive cardiology at The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.In this interview, Dr. Scher and Dr. Budoff further break down the results of his new publication, whic...2025-04-1521 minMetabolic MindKeto-CTA Study Confusion: Addressing the Misunderstandings with Dr. BudoffThere’s been a lot of buzz—and confusion—about the new Keto-CTA study, examining plaque progression in Lean Mass Hyper-Responders (LMHRs).Much of the social media debate has centered on whether high LDL on keto is safe or dangerous, driven largely by how to interpret the supplemental table comparing this study to others on LDL and plaque progression.In this episode of the Metabolic Mind Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Matthew Budoff, a world-renowned cardiologist, cardiac CT researcher, and the study's lead investigator, to discuss the the supplemental table, what the plaque markers mean...2025-04-1534 minMetabolic MindSky High LDL and No Heart Disease? Results from Dave Feldman’s New StudyIs LDL cholesterol the best way to measure and predict heart disease?New research suggests no!Dave Feldman is an engineer turned citizen scientist who has devoted his life to understanding a phenomenon that some individuals around the world are experiencing: a robust increase in LDL cholesterol while on a ketogenic diet.Dave’s past research has identified a unique phenotype dubbed Lean Mass Hyper-Responders (LMHRs). LMHRs respond to ketogenic therapy with a metabolic profile that includes elevated LDL-C and ApoB levels with otherwise healthy metabolic markers, including low triglycerides, high HDL, low bl...2025-04-0746 minMetabolic MindHow This Doctor Put Over 150 Patients into Diabetes RemissionCan type 2 diabetes be reversed, eliminating the need for medications with completely normal blood sugar levels?For decades, type 2 diabetes has been considered a chronic, progressive conditions and the standard approach has been to just manage it to slow it down. But what if remission was possible?Dr. David Unwin, a UK-based NHS physician, has demonstrated how low-carb and ketogenic interventions can lead to drug-free diabetes remission. His work has transformed patient outcomes and challenged conventional medical guidelines.In this interview, Dr. Unwin shares how he has helped over 150 patients achieve drug-free remission...2025-04-0740 minMetabolic MindThe Truth About Evidence-Based Medicine with Dr. Gordon GuyattNot all medical research is created equal, so how do we know which studies to trust?The phrase evidence-based medicine (EBM) is often misunderstood and misused. What does it truly mean to rely on evidence in clinical decision-making?Dr. Gordon Guyatt, the father of the term evidence-based medicine, explains how to assess scientific studies, understand the strength of different types of evidence, and apply findings to clinical decisions.Want to make better-informed health decisions? This interview will help you learn how to critically assess medical evidence for yourself. In this conversation, Dr. Guyatt...2025-03-3146 minMetabolic MindExciting New Research on Keto for Pediatric Mental HealthCan the ketogenic diet help kids with bipolar disorder? We are excited to announce new research is finally exploring this question.The ketogenic diet was first discovered over 100 years ago for children with epilepsy. Could ketogenic therapy also improve mental health outcomes for youth with serious conditions like bipolar disorder? Dr. Kirk Nylen joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss two groundbreaking studies underway that are tackling this question head-on.In this episode, they dive into:🔬 The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Network (CABIN) study – a multi-site RCT testing ketogenic therapy in pediatric bipolar disorder...2025-03-2418 minMetabolic MindHow I Overcame "Treatment-Resistant" Mental Illness: Laura Delano’s JourneyCan you safely taper off psychiatric medications? And what are the potential harms of long-term psychiatric care?Laura Delano spent years as a professional patient, navigating psychiatric diagnoses, multiple medications, and a life defined by treatment.In this interview, Laura discusses her 13-year experience as a psychiatric patient, the impact of long-term medication use, and how she took control of her health to successfully taper off multiple psychiatric drugs.Now, as the founder of Inner Compass Initiative and author of Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance (available March 18, 2025), she’s dedicated to he...2025-03-1754 minMetabolic MindExploring the Link Between Genetics and Brain Metabolism in Psychiatry with Dr. Harry PantazopoulosBrain Energy and metabolism appear to play critical roles in the development and treatment of psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. And emerging research suggests that our gene expression influences how our brain uses energy, thus linking the fields of genetics and metabolism.In this episode, Dr. Harry Pantazopoulos, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss fascinating new research into the relationship between gene expression and metabolism in serious mental illness.Dr. Pantazopoulos’ study reveals a fascinating in...2025-03-1728 minMetabolic MindPersonalized Psychiatry: Using Blood Tests to Find the Right Mental Health TreatmentIs psychiatry stuck in the 19th century? For decades, psychiatry has relied on trial and error but is there a better way to provide precise, personalized, and preventative treatment?Dr. Alexander Niculescu, professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona and CEO of MindX Sciences, is at the cutting edge of transforming psychiatry into an objective, data-driven field. With blood tests evaluating specific biomarkers, doctors may now be able to measure mental health, better understand symptoms, and predict which treatments will work best.In this conversation, Dr. Niculescu explains how his research is helping reshape...2025-03-1051 minMetabolic MindReversing Schizoaffective Disorder with Ketogenic Therapy: A Case SeriesIs it possible for ketogenic therapy to significantly reduce schizoaffective symptoms in 2 weeks? What about putting symptoms into complete remission in 6 weeks?Licensed Mental Health Counselor Nicole Laurent joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss her newly published case series showcasing the dramatic improvements in individuals with schizoaffective disorder using ketogenic metabolic therapy.In this interview, Nicole shares:The life-changing stories from the patients and their familiesHow she collaborated with healthcare teams to ensure better outcomesHow she determines the right type of ketogenic diet for each patientThe role of nutrient deficiencies and supplementation in treatmentHow...2025-03-0333 minMetabolic MindNew Treatment For Bipolar: A New Ketogenic Therapy Study with Dr. Iain CampbellDr. Iain Campbell, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, discusses his groundbreaking pilot study on ketogenic therapy for bipolar disorder with Dr. Bret Scher. Having personally experienced the benefits of ketosis for his own bipolar type II depression, Dr. Campbell delves into the link between metabolic health and mental well-being.Dr. Campbell shares how his recent study reveals a correlation between higher ketone levels and improvements in mood, energy, impulsivity, and anxiety in patients with bipolar disorder. He also highlights the intriguing brain imaging results that indicate reductions in brain glutamate, hinting at one of the...2025-02-2831 minMetabolic MindHow Ketones Support the Aging Brain & Psychiatric Meds disrupt brain energy - Dr. Stephen CunnaneDo psychiatric medications alter brain energy and metabolic health?Dr. Stephen Cunnane, a professor and researcher at the University of Sherbrooke, has been at the forefront of studying glucose and ketone metabolism in the aging brain, pioneering advanced imaging techniques to measure how the brain utilizes these critical energy sources with neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.While glucose PET imaging has long been used to study brain energy metabolism, Dr. Cunnane’s team was the first to develop ketone PET imaging, allowing researchers to look at the relationship between glucose and ketone metabo...2025-02-2434 minMetabolic MindIs a Ketogenic Diet Effective For Adolescent Mental Health?Pediatric and adolescent mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD, are reaching alarming levels and affecting millions worldwide. While the causes are still being explored, one potential contributing factor is the rising metabolic health epidemic, fueled by a harmful food environment.
With current treatment options often coming with challenging side effects and failing to provide lasting relief, many families are turning to innovative, evidence-based solutions to support their children’s well-being and long-term development.
In this interview, Dr. Lori Calabrese, a board-certified psychiatrist, shares her pioneering work in youth mental health care and discusses he...2025-02-1016 minMetabolic MindWhy Mental Health Care Is Failing & What We Can Do About It with Dr. Chris PalmerMental health care is at a critical crossroads. Millions of people are searching for effective treatments, yet conventional options often fall short, leaving many without significant or lasting relief. Compounding this issue is the lack of funding directed toward exploring novel, root-cause therapies. The urgency for change is clear.
Dr. Chris Palmer, a Harvard psychiatrist and the author of Brain Energy, has been instrumental in raising awareness about the metabolic nature of mental illness. His pioneering work highlights how conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia often stem from underlying metabolic dysfunctions, including glucose hypometabolism, neurotransmitter imbalances...2025-01-2759 minMetabolic MindExercise as a Prescription for Depression with Dr. Nicholas FabianoHow effective is exercise for treating depression, and how can we help more people use it as a cornerstone of treatment?
The last decade we have seen mounting evidence that exercise can play a big role in mental health through a variety of mechanisms.
In this interview, Dr. Nick Fabiano, a psychiatry resident and researcher, shares his innovative approach to using exercise as a therapeutic intervention, drawing from his recent co-authored paper.
In this interview you’ll learn:
Why exercise is comparable to antidepressants and therapy in treating mild to moderate depression.
Ho...2025-01-1344 minMetabolic MindThe 2025 Dietary Guidelines with Nina Teicholz: A Turning Point for Public Health?The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) have the potential to shape the health of millions, but are they based on outdated or flawed evidence? In this powerful interview, Dr. Bret Scher and investigative journalist Nina Teicholz expose the controversial history of dietary policy, challenge the methodology of the DGA Advisory Committee, and discuss the urgent need for change to address rising rates of metabolic and mental health disorders. And they try to answer the burning question from the guidelines: Will eating more beans, peas, and lentils make all of us healthier?
What you will learn in this...2025-01-0754 minMetabolic MindHow Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) Improve Metabolic and Mental HealthLearn how Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) can transform your metabolic and mental health. In this video, we dive into the benefits and debates surrounding CGMs, highlighting their role in managing blood sugar, making informed lifestyle choices, and enhancing overall well-being.
*Key Topics Covered*
• What are Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)?
• How CGMs can help improve metabolic health
• Important considerations and potential drawbacks of using CGMs
• Tips for getting the most out of your CGM experience
Whether you're new to CGMs or already using them, this is your guide to understanding their impact on your health journey.
Resources:
Metabolic Mind’s Families...2024-12-3008 minMetabolic MindHow Your Microbiome Shapes Your Body and Mind with Dr. Jack GilbertDr. Bret Scher interviews Dr. Jack Gilbert—renowned microbiome scientist, author of Dirt Is Good, and featured expert in the Netflix documentary Hack Your Health—to explore the profound connections between the microbiome, metabolism, mental health, and overall wellness.
Dr. Gilbert shares cutting-edge insights into how the 40 trillion microbes in our gut influence everything from inflammation to brain health, and how personalized strategies may hold the key to treating chronic illnesses and improving quality of life.
What You'll Learn
The role of the microbiome in metabolic and mental health
How diet and lifestyle shape your gut bacteria
Surp...2024-12-2341 minMetabolic MindTapering Psychiatric Medications Safely: Insights with Dr. JosefDr. Bret Scher interviews Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in tapering and deprescribing psychiatric medications. Dr. Josef combines his expertise in pharmaceutical safety, clinical psychiatry, and metabolic therapies to help patients safely transition off long-term medications.
Topics Covered
Life-Changing Outcomes
Discover how Dr. Josef’s holistic methods have empowered individuals like Trudy, who transitioned from years of debilitating medications to pursuing a career in medical school through targeted dietary and metabolic interventions.
Rethinking Psychiatric Medications
Dr. Josef discusses the complex nature of antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. Learn how their effects can mask symptoms without addressing ro...2024-12-1648 minMetabolic MindKetogenic Diets in Alcohol Addiction: Breakthrough Research with Dr. WiersIn this interview with Dr. Bret Scher, Dr. Corinde Wiers, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, unveils her groundbreaking research on using ketogenic therapy to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD). Dr. Wiers dives into how ketones, as an alternative energy source, may alleviate withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and transform the landscape of addiction recovery.
This conversation covers:
The science of brain energy metabolism and how ketones are preferred over glucose in AUD.
Results from clinical trials, including reductions in withdrawal severity and the need for benzodiazepines.
Neuroimaging data that shows how ketogenic diets affect the brain's...2024-12-0925 minMetabolic MindWhole-Person Care for Mental Health: Dr. Scott Fears on Amae Health’s ApproachJoin us as we delve into the transformative potential of metabolic psychiatry with Dr. Scott Fears, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at Amae Health. In this comprehensive interview, Dr. Fears explores how ketogenic therapy, dietary adjustments, and personalized metabolic approaches are reshaping mental health treatment. He discusses ketosis as a therapeutic tool, its impact on mood and cognitive stability, deprescribing medications, and the potential of "food as medicine" to support mental well-being.
Whether you're a mental health professional, someone exploring alternative mental health treatments, or simply interested in the intersection of nutrition and mental health, this interview offers valuable...2024-12-0334 minMetabolic MindWhy Body Composition Matters More Than Weight Loss: A Ketogenic Approach with Dr. Bret ScherIn this video, we tackle a common misconception: that losing weight alone will make you healthier. Contrary to popular belief, simply reducing the number on the scale may not lead to better health outcomes. Instead, it's crucial to focus on losing fat mass, maintaining or building lean mass like muscle and bone, and improving your overall metabolic health.
We dive deep into how medications like Wegovy and Ozempic—while popular for weight loss—don't differentiate between fat and muscle loss, which can be crucial for long-term health. We'll also explore the growing evidence supporting ketogenic diets for their ability to p...2024-11-2506 minMetabolic MindHow to Taper Psychiatric Medications Safely: Expert Advice on Med Management with Dr. Lori CalabreseIn this video, psychiatrist Dr. Lori Calabrese provides essential guidance on medication management, focusing on the nuanced process of tapering and deprescribing psychiatric medications. As individuals seek alternatives or adjustments to their mental health treatments, understanding how to navigate medication changes safely is critically important. Dr. Calabrese discusses the complexities involved in reducing or discontinuing medications and covers crucial topics like personalized tapering strategies, the risks and benefits of deprescribing, and how to manage potential withdrawal symptoms.
If you or someone you know is contemplating changes to their psychiatric medication, this video provides valuable insights into how to approach...2024-11-1818 minMetabolic MindHow to Determine Optimal Ketone Levels for Ketogenic Therapy with Dr. Bret ScherAre you using a ketogenic diet for therapy and need to know the ideal ketone levels for success? In this video, we explain how to measure ketone levels to optimize your ketogenic diet for managing psychiatric disorders, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and other metabolic conditions.
One of the unique benefits of a ketogenic diet is the ability to precisely track your body's response. But what should your target ketone level be? We tackle the most common questions and provide insights on how to set and achieve your optimal ketone level for the best therapeutic outcomes.
Whether you're new to ketogenic...2024-11-0408 minMetabolic MindTreating Type 1 Diabetes and Depression with a Ketogenic Diet | Lisa La Nasa’s JourneyIn this powerful and insightful interview, Lisa La Nasa, the founder of diaVerge Diabetes, shares her personal journey of living with type 1 diabetes for over 14 years. Despite following her doctor's advice, Lisa struggled to control her blood sugar levels—until she discovered the benefits of a low-carb, ketogenic diet. This dietary change, along with lifestyle adjustments, gave her the control and confidence she never thought possible.
Lisa reflects on the life-changing impact of adopting a ketogenic diet, which empowered her to take charge of her health, and finally find an approach that managed her diabetes. Feel free to share yo...2024-10-2824 minMetabolic MindCan Keto Help Treat Bipolar & Schizophrenia? A New Trial Explores Its PotentialThis interview highlights the latest research from a powerhouse team of Australian experts who are investigating the potential of ketogenic diets to treat serious mental illness like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Dr. Zoltán Sarnyai, Dr. Carlo Longhitano, and dietitian Jaymee-Leigh Swift share insights into their new randomized controlled trial, comparing the effects of a ketogenic diet with Australia's standard healthy eating guidelines.
If you found this discussion insightful, don't forget to comment below with your thoughts, like the video, and subscribe for more content on the connection between diet and mental health!
*Featured Study*
https://nqdit.com.au/
*E...2024-10-2141 minMetabolic MindCarnivore Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: New Source of Hope? With Nick Norwitz, PhDIn this episode, PhD researcher and fourth-year medical student Nick Norwitz returns to Metabolic Mind to discuss his recently published case series featuring ten individuals who have successfully managed their Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) using a carnivore ketogenic diet. This promising approach is challenging conventional dietary norms, particularly when it comes to managing chronic inflammatory conditions.
Nick delves into why this dietary intervention may offer significant therapeutic benefits for those suffering from IBD. We also explore the broader implications of how we interpret dietary studies and the impact of IBD on mental health.
Join us as we examine this...2024-10-1436 minMetabolic MindSafe Tapering Practices for Anti-Depressants with Dr. Mark HorowitzIn this interview with Dr. Bret Scher, Dr. Mark Horowitz, a leading clinician and researcher in anti-depressant withdrawal and de-prescribing, delves into the complex world of de-prescribing anti-depressants. Dr. Horowitz shares his personal journey with antidepressant withdrawal, which led him to dedicate his career to understanding safe tapering practices.
He discusses the challenges that patients face when coming off medications, the withdrawal effects often mistaken for relapses, and how the current psychiatric guidelines may fall short in helping people safely taper. Dr. Horowitz emphasizes the importance of individualized tapering plans and the need for slower, more gradual reductions in...2024-10-0747 minMetabolic MindHow Ketosis Affects Health and Longevity: Expert Insights from Isabella Cooper, PhDIn this insightful interview, PhD researcher Isabella Cooper dives deep into the science of ketosis and its impact on health. She discusses how it's not just about maintaining high levels of ketones but also about the quality and source of those ketones. Isabella highlights the importance of avoiding unhealthy fats and proteins like soybean oil, canola oil, and pea protein isolate while following a ketogenic diet.
Discover the latest research findings on cycling in and out of ketosis and how it can influence your overall health. Learn about the molecular components that truly matter when optimizing your metabolic state...2024-09-3052 minMetabolic MindKeto Diet and Heart Disease: What New Research Reveals About Cardiac Risk with Dr. Bret ScherDoes eating a very low carbohydrate or ketogenic diet increase the risk of heart disease? Many healthcare practitioners might say yes, but recent evidence suggests otherwise. Contrary to popular belief, a ketogenic diet does not automatically increase cardiac risk. This video explores a new study that supports this notion, challenging misconceptions that may prevent people from using ketogenic therapy to treat conditions like diabetes, depression, bipolar disorder, and other brain-based disorders.
Join us in this critical discussion and share this video with your healthcare provider to help spread awareness about the true effects of ketogenic diets on heart health.
...2024-09-2305 minMetabolic MindCholesterol & Heart Health: Insights from LDL Research on Keto with Dave Feldman & Nick Norwitz, PhDIn this interview, Dave Feldman, citizen scientist and founder of the Citizen Science Foundation, and Nick Norwitz, Oxford PhD and Harvard medical student, discuss their latest study, which challenges the traditional view of LDL cholesterol and its relationship to heart disease risk and metabolic health. Their research focuses on lean mass hyper-responders (LMHRs)—lean, metabolically healthy individuals on a low-carb, high-fat diet, also known as a ketogenic diet. Their findings suggest that LDL cholesterol levels may not contribute to plaque buildup in these individuals as is commonly believed in the general population.
They also delve into the role of co...2024-09-1643 minMetabolic MindHealing Metabolism to Heal Schizoaffective Disorder: Lauren Kennedy West's Medical Keto JourneyIn this powerful interview, Lauren Kennedy West shares her deeply personal journey with schizoaffective disorder and how traditional medical treatments fell short in addressing the root causes of her struggles. Lauren opens up about her discovery of metabolic therapies—focusing on diet, exercise, and sleep—which have played a crucial role in her path to wellness.
Despite years of living with a challenging mental illness, Lauren found that these therapies offered a way to not just survive but truly thrive. In this interview, she discusses the gaps in conventional mental health treatment, the transformative impact of metabolic approaches, and how...2024-09-0937 minMetabolic MindProtein on Keto: How Much is Too Much? with Dr. Bret ScherAre you following a ketogenic diet or using ketogenic therapy to manage depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other brain-based disorders? If so, you've probably heard conflicting advice about protein intake—how much is too much? In this video, Dr. Bret Scher explains how to determine the right amount of protein for your unique needs. Whether you're concerned about maintaining ketosis or just want to optimize your health, this video breaks down the science in an easy-to-understand way.
*Tune in to learn*
•The importance of protein on a ketogenic diet
•How to measure and adjust your protein intake
•Common myths and misc...2024-09-0208 minMetabolic MindKeto Offers Hope in the Bronx: Endocrinologist Uses Diet to Help Underserved Patients Recover HealthDr. Mariela Glandt is a renowned endocrinologist, ketogenic therapy expert, and CEO and Co-Founder of OwnaHealth. In this interview, Dr. Glandt shares her groundbreaking work using the OwnaHealth app to treat metabolic dysfunction, type 2 diabetes, and pre-diabetes among a Medicaid population in the South Bronx. This inspiring pilot demonstrates that health improvements can transcend socioeconomic boundaries, offering hope and tangible results to underserved communities.
Thank you for watching! If you found this video helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with others who may benefit. Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts.
*Key Highlights*
• The potential of...2024-08-2022 minMetabolic MindKetogenic Therapy for Migraine Relief - with Dr. Elena GrossIn this interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Elena Gross, a neuroscientist and chronic migraine sufferer turned researcher, who shares her compelling journey and innovative approach to managing migraines through metabolic therapies. Dr. Gross discusses the critical role metabolism plays in neuropsychiatric diseases and how understanding this connection has driven her academic and professional pursuits.
*Key Highlights*
• Personal Journey: Dr. Elena Gross' battle with chronic migraines led her to pursue a PhD in neuroscience, focusing on the root causes of migraines and how they can be addressed through nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes.
• Metabolic Health: An in-depth discussion on h...2024-08-1239 minMetabolic MindBest Diet for Mental Health: Keto or Mediterranean? - with Dr. Bret ScherIn this video, Dr. Bret Scher dives into the ongoing debate: Is the Mediterranean diet or a ketogenic diet better for mental health? While both diets have shown promise in improving symptoms of depression and other psychiatric conditions, this video examines the evidence behind each and discusses their potential benefits.
According to Dr. Scher, any investigation into nutritional interventions for health conditions is a step in the right direction. Diets that steer away from the Standard American Diet (SAD) by eliminating ultra-processed foods and sugar will enhance metabolic health, likely offering both physical and mental benefits. However, ketogenic therapy...2024-08-0507 minMetabolic MindThe Truth About Carbs and Your Brain - with Dr. Bret ScherBlanket statements like "carbs are good" or "carbs are bad" are misleading. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher delves into the question: Are carbs bad for your mental health? Join Dr. Scher as he explores the complex relationship between carbohydrates and mental health, particularly focusing on the potential benefits of ketogenic therapy for serious mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression.
Key Highlights:
-Introduction to Carbs and Mental Health: Unpacking the myths and truths about carbohydrates and their impact on brain function.
-Ketogenic Therapy: An in-depth look at how ketogenic diets can serve as powerful treatments...2024-07-2907 minMetabolic MindKeto, Microbiome, and Depression: Insights with Timur LiwinskiMeet Dr. Timur Liwinski, a clinician-scientist specializing in internal medicine, metabolic health, and the gut microbiome. Currently completing his psychiatry residency, Dr. Liwinski shares groundbreaking insights on ketogenic therapy for depression in this exclusive interview with Dr. Bret Scher. Discover the impact of the ketogenic diet and microbiome on mental health, as Dr. Liwinski examines the intricate connections between dietary practices, the gut-brain axis, and mental well-being.
*Key Highlights*
▪️Clinical Trial Overview: An in-depth look at Dr. Liwinski's clinical trial investigating the effects of the ketogenic diet and microbiome changes on depression.
▪️Depression and Diet: Exploring the potential benefits of the k...2024-07-2235 minMetabolic MindHundreds Report Dementia Improvement with Ketones: Dr. Mary Newport's ReportIn this interview, Mary Newport, MD, discusses her groundbreaking approach to treating dementia using coconut oil and MCT oil, highlighting the role of ketones, and exploring the stories of almost 300 families who have benefited. Dr. Newport delves into the science behind coconut and MCT oils, explaining how they generate ketones, provide an alternative energy source for the brain, and offer other potential benefits for those affected by dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
*Key Highlights*
- Personal Journey: Dr. Newport’s experience seeing her husband’s improvement in Alzheimer’s symptoms from using coconut oil and MCT oil.
- Ketones and Brain...2024-07-1528 minMetabolic MindFrom Lived-Experience to Trailblazing Keto Research - with Maria EdwardsIn this interview, Maria Edwards shares how her lived-experience putting bipolar 2 disorder into remission inspired her to become a researcher in the field of metabolic therapies. Maria completed a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition and her thesis was a feasibility study that examined ketogenic therapy for patients recovering from brain injuries. She also worked on the very first study on ketogenic therapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that is currently in the peer-review process.
Despite hurdles like small sample sizes and missing data, her pilot studies lay the groundwork for future research into ketogenic therapy for brain injury and PT...2024-07-0836 minMetabolic MindLong-Term Safety of Ketogenic Diets - with Dr. Bret ScherIn this episode, Dr. Bret Scher addresses common misconceptions and concerns surrounding the long-term safety and nutritional adequacy of ketogenic diets. Dr. Scher emphasizes the importance of weighing potential risks against known benefits. For instance, psychotropic medications, despite often worsening overall physical and metabolic health, are considered beneficial because they can alleviate symptoms of serious mental illnesses. In contrast, many patients experience incredible benefits from ketogenic therapy without harmful side effects. In numerous cases, a medical keto diet can even put psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression into complete remission.
What You'll Learn:
▪️Long-Term Safety: Is it s...2024-07-0113 minMetabolic MindKetogenic Therapy: How 3 Patients Put Depression and Anxiety in Remission with Dr. Lori CalabreseDiscover groundbreaking insights from Dr. Lori Calabrese, a Connecticut-based psychiatrist, who recently published a case series demonstrating the complete remission of depression and anxiety in three patients through ketogenic interventions. Dr. Calabrese's case studies offer a "slice of real life," highlighting patients with multiple comorbidities, which is more common than not. She explains how ketogenic therapy can lead to full remission of depression and anxiety, enabling patients to become their best selves, which is rarely achieved with standard-of-care treatments.
In this video, Dr. Calabrese and Dr. Bret Scher delve into the details of her findings, showcasing how a ketogenic...2024-06-2426 minMetabolic MindAccelerating the Science of Ketogenic Therapy for Mental Health with Julie Milder, PhDIn this interview, Julie Milder, PhD, the director of neuroscience at Baszucki Group, discusses the groundbreaking research being done at the intersection of metabolism and mental health, including 13 clinical trials across eight institutions for ketogenic therapy for serious mental illness.
Join us as Dr. Milder explains the importance of flexibility in scientific research, the unique opportunities provided by philanthropic funding, and the Baszucki Group's vision for the future of metabolic psychiatry.
🧑🏻🔬 Learn about the current state of the research:
https://www.metabolicmind.org/research
🧠 Key Topics Discussed:
The role of philanthropy in advancing scientific research
The need for research that elucidate...2024-06-1724 minMetabolic MindIs Ketogenic Therapy Safe for Children? - with Dr. Matthew CalkinsThere is an escalating crisis of metabolic dysfunction in our youth, with growing rates of obesity, diabetes, and mental illness. Is it safe to use ketogenic therapy in children and teens for better management or reversal of these conditions? Dr. Matthew Calkins, an early career physician board certified in family and obesity medicine, argues it is. A 2023 paper published in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) exaggerates risks associated with a ketogenic diet in pediatric patients. It also conflates a keto diet for epilepsy with a well-formulated keto diet that can be used to treat obesity, diabetes, and mental...2024-06-1042 minMetabolic MindCan I Try a Medical Keto Diet for Mental Illness Without a Metabolic Psychiatrist?At Metabolic Mind, we emphasize that ketogenic therapy for psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression should be done with oversight from a clinician trained in metabolic therapies. Sometimes patients and their families voice frustration because it can be challenging to access metabolic psychiatry care. While ideally, every patient would have help from a clinician trained in medical keto for mental health, we know that this is not currently possible for many people.
In this video, Dr. Bret Scher and Hannah Warren discuss why Metabolic Mind recommends that patients work with a clinician trained in metabolic therapies...2024-06-0332 minMetabolic MindIs It Safe for Me to Do a Keto Diet?Ketosis is a therapeutic physiologic state induced by eating a keto (reduced-carb) diet that can treat, and often reverse, a wide range of illnesses from type 2 diabetes, to psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia. A medical keto diet can be a very powerful intervention, but, sometimes, people are told that their other health conditions, such as gout or high LDL cholesterol, would make following a keto diet unsafe. In most cases, even with other health conditions, ketogenic therapy can be highly beneficial.
In this video, Dr. Bret Scher goes over some of the most common conditions that...2024-05-2708 minMetabolic MindOxford’s Keto for ADHD & Depression Randomized Controlled Trial - with Ally HoustonA new randomized controlled trial (RCT) at University of Oxford will examine the ketogenic diet for ADHD and depression. Ally Houston, who began treating his ADHD, seasonal depression, and chronic anxiety with ketogenic therapy in 2016, is spearheading the trial. Within weeks of starting the medical keto diet, Ally’s life completely transformed. He ultimately reversed his conditions, which inspired him to leave a career in physics to help others with metabolic interventions. He co-founded MetPsy, an app and coaching platform that supports individuals implementing ketogenic therapies for mental illness. Ally is currently conducting a crowdfunding campaign to support the st...2024-05-2126 minMetabolic MindWhat is a Good Bipolar Diet?When looking for information about how nutrition can improve brain health, it is important to remember that you cannot necessarily believe everything you read. Dr. Bret Scher discusses a recent article from Healthline called Foods to Eat and Avoid With Bipolar Disorder as one example of an article that makes unsubstantiated claims. The article cites flawed studies and also jumps to conclusions that are not science-based. Will eating more beans, chocolate and whole grains help your bipolar disorder? Not likely.
When looking at articles that suggest nutritional interventions for mental illness, it is important to realize that ketogenic therapy...2024-05-1307 minMetabolic MindCan a Medical Keto Diet Treat Depression in College Students? - with Dr. Jeff VolekCan ketogenic therapy help college students living with depression? Jeff Volek, PhD, RD, is investigating this question in a pilot study at The Ohio State University, where he is a professor in the Department of Human Sciences. Dr. Volek has been a world-renowned expert in ketogenic diets for more than two decades. He has pioneered critical work raising awareness of how the keto diet can reverse diabetes and metabolic syndrome and enhance athletic performance and recovery.
In this interview with Dr. Bret Scher, Dr. Volek discusses his new work exploring ketogenic therapy for depression, including some of the challenges...2024-05-0629 minMetabolic MindDoes the Brain Need Carbs?The emerging field of metabolic psychiatry is demonstrating that many patients may be able to effectively treat serious psychiatric conditions, like bipolar disorder, major depression and schizophrenia, with ketogenic therapy. However, some individuals object to a medical keto diet claiming that the brain needs carbs. Ketogenic diets usually do, in fact, include some dietary carbs, but even if they didn’t, this is a false assertion.
Some clinicians and the American Diabetes Association may make this false declaration because they are confusing carbs with glucose. The brain does require glucose (synonymous with blood sugar). While glucose can come from di...2024-04-2904 minMetabolic MindSolutions to Prevent Early Death in Bipolar Disorder with Dr. Melvin McInnisPeople with bipolar disorder are four to six times more likely to die prematurely compared to those without a psychiatric disorder. (In comparison, smokers are two to three times more likely to have a shortened lifespan.) There are several contributing factors, including things like metabolic dysfunction, as well consequences of lifestyle choices influenced by disease burden Science needs to urgently investigate these extremely poor outcomes in search of more effective interventions that will enhance quality of life for people with bipolar disorder. Emerging evidence and clinical experience indicate that ketogenic and metabolic therapies may have a central role in...2024-04-2241 minMetabolic MindTrailblazing Stanford Trial Shows Keto Improves Serious Mental Illness - with Dr. Shebani SethiA pioneering, peer-reviewed pilot trial at Stanford, supported by funding from by Baszucki Group and others, investigated a 4-month keto diet intervention for individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia who also had metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance. They saw dramatic psychiatric and metabolic improvements that warrant further research investigations and offer hope to patients looking for new treatment options.
Dr. Bret Scher interviews Shebani Sethi, MD, ABOM of Stanford University School of Medicine and Founding Director of the Stanford Metabolic Psychiatry Clinic. She discusses the details of this study which represents a milestone...2024-04-1522 minMetabolic MindAre We Biased Toward a Keto Diet?There are many biases both for and against a keto diet. At Metabolic Mind, an organization focused on ketogenic therapy for psychiatric conditions like bipolar, schizophrenia, and chronic depression, we acknowledge our own pro-keto bias; however, we also are proactive about taking a measured approach, grounding our understanding and content in scientific evidence.
Often, an anti-keto bias may be prevalent among traditional doctors due to limited education on therapeutic ketosis. You can recognize these red flags indicating an anti-keto bias:
- Referring to keto as one “diet”: Keto is not a “diet,” but a physiologic state
- Confounding studies on an in...2024-04-0807 minMetabolic MindCollaborative Science: How Individuals are Enhancing Research - with Dave FeldmanDave Feldman is a citizen scientist and founder of Citizen Science Foundation. In this interview, he sits down with us to discuss the success of the 2024 Collaborative Science (CoSci) Conference and how one community is helping make research better.
All proceeds from this year’s CoSci Conference are being used to help fund further research for lean mass hyper-responders. This year’s events included presentations from medical experts, researchers and individuals with their own citizen scientist journeys. The conference was a groundbreaking gathering that highlighted the spirit of scientific discovery.
Dave Feldman, Citizen Scientist
CitizenScienceFoundation.org
X: @realDaveFeldman
More abou...2024-04-0123 minMetabolic MindWhy Keto for Mental Health May Not Be Working for You - with Dr. Bret ScherKetogenic therapy can be a powerful intervention for many people with mental illness, including those with serious conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depression. Initial data indicates that individual response to ketogenic therapy for mental health may vary. Research is ongoing and needs to further investigate underlying mechanisms and how metabolism impacts brain function in individual patients.
While keto may not be an effective treatment for everyone, there are a number of ways patients can troubleshoot their ketogenic therapy strategy before deciding this treatment option doesn’t work for them. In this practical video, Dr. Bret Scher shares se...2024-03-2508 minMetabolic MindCan a Keto Diet Cause Hypomania, and How Can It Be Avoided?Ketogenic therapy, commonly in the form of a keto diet, is often known for having more “side benefits” than “side effects.” However, it is a powerful medical intervention and, as such, not entirely without risks. In some instances, individuals transitioning onto a keto diet to treat a mental health condition, like bipolar or schizophrenia, can experience symptoms of hypomania.
There are many strategies to increase the safety of keto and mitigate potential risks, including slowly easing into a ketogenic diet, monitoring sleep, having a bridge medication available, and always having expert guidance from a clinical care team.
In this intervie...2024-03-1813 minMetabolic MindCan a Keto Diet Help People Suffering from Depression? - with Erin Bellamy, PhDResearch indicates that following a keto diet can be an effective form of metabolic treatment for depression, particularly atypical and treatment-resistant forms. Dr. Erin Bellamy has seen ketogenic therapy’s success through her online program Integrative Ketogenic Research and Therapies (ikrt.org), which helps patients implement a keto diet for mental health conditions and effectively coordinate with their prescriber and health care team for the best treatment outcomes.
The length of time it takes to see improvements when following a ketogenic diet to treat mental health conditions can vary. In some cases, it can take time to alleviate symptoms of...2024-03-1132 minMetabolic MindInsulin Resistance in Alzheimer's, Infertility, Migraines and More - with Dr. Ben BikmanMetabolic dysfunction is the root cause of most noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and mental health conditions. Luckily, simple, practical strategies can improve insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic health, including controlling carbs, eating whole foods rich in protein and fat, and doing resistance training to strengthen muscles.
Dr. Ben Bikman is a professor of cell biology and physiology at BYU; he is also passionate about bringing to the public science to help everyone make informed decisions to better their health. In this discussion with Dr. Bret Scher, Dr. Bikm...2024-03-0438 minMetabolic MindImproving Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorder - with Mayo Clinic's Dr. Mark FryeDescreiptionIndividuals with bipolar disorder are at an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and obesity, often resulting in a decreased lifespan. Clinicians must address this critical issue. There is a complicated, interconnected set of factors driving this correlation, including: medications that increase cardiometabolic burden, symptoms of the illness itself, as well genetic factors that confer risk for both bipolar disorder and metabolic complications. Dr. Mark Frye has more than twenty-five years of experience as a clinician, researcher and advocate. He is the former chair of the psychiatry department at Mayo Clinic, where he is now a professor of...2024-02-2643 minMetabolic MindStanford Twin Study: Are Vegan Diets Healthier?The Stanford Twin Study has made headlines suggesting that vegan diets are healthier than omnivore diets, and we would likely all benefit from a more plant-based diet. The problem is that the conclusions are misleading, and the study doesn't actually show that. The true conclusion from this study is that among high carb diets, after eight weeks, those on a vegan diet ate fewer calories, lost more weight and lowered LDL and insulin more than those following a high carb omnivore diet. The Stanford Twin Study highlights how easy it is to misinterpret and misrepresent the findings from nutrition...2024-02-0507 minMetabolic MindNew Study Questions LDL Risk - An interview with Dave FeldmanDo we all have to worry that LDL causes heart disease, or could certain people, like low-carb "lean mass hyper responders" have less concern about LDL and heart risk? A new study from Dave Feldman and Dr. Matt Budoff suggests markedly elevated LDL in the setting of metabolic health and ketosis may not contribute to cardiac plaque and heart disease. While these data are not conclusive, they are highly suggestive and set the stage for future studies in this critically important area. Will this line of research eventually change everything we know about LDL? That's to be determined, but...2024-01-3141 minMetabolic MindWhat Do Adenosine, Forests & Keto Diets Have to do with Brain Health?At Metabolic Mind, we often focus on ketogenic therapy as a treatment for severe mental illnesses like bipolar, schizophrenia, and depression. But it’s important to realize that a keto diet can also be a powerful preventative medicine to protect and optimize brain function. Dr. Susan Masino, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at Trinity College and the Charles Bullard Fellow in forest research at Harvard Medical School, discusses the therapeutic properties of ketogenic diets and the interconnection between brain health and ecological lifelines.
Dr. Masino discovered the ketogenic diet while researching ways to increase adenosine, a neuroprotective molecule th...2024-01-1517 minMetabolic MindFuture of Precision Medicine & Nutritional Therapies for Mental Illness with Dr. Megan Kirk ChangDr. Megan Kirk Chang, Senior Researcher of Medical Science at the University of Oxford, discusses her upcoming trials looking at nutritional interventions: one focuses on ketosis for treatment-resistant depression, and the other will investigate whether the keto diet is as effective as the Mediterranean diet for individuals at risk for developing Alzheimer’s. She has a background in cognitive behavioral therapeutics (CBT), including experience coaching patients through interventions like mindfulness-based stress reduction, exercise, and yoga.
Dr. Kirk Chang brings a fresh, unbiased perspective and diverse scope of experience to her new research examining the therapeutic uses of the keto di...2024-01-0233 minMetabolic MindTreating Bipolar with Keto - 100 Self-Reports with Dr. Iain CampbellKetogenic diets are emerging as an exciting new alternative treatment for bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions. Many people may see remission of their psychiatric symptoms and may be able to reduce or eliminate their intake of psychiatric medications. Dr. Iain Campbell, a researcher who lives with Bipolar II, collected survey data from over 100 individuals treating their bipolar disorder with ketogenic therapy. While the data are not at the same level as randomized controlled trials, the results are amazingly encouraging and indicate a substantial improvement in people's quality of life.
Featured in this episode:
Dr. Iain Campbell
https://www...2023-12-1821 minMetabolic MindKetosis and Depression: An inspiring personal story from Stanford's Healthcare Innovation Lab.Ben Rolnik lived with depression, thinking often about suicide, and even when he was doing well, he never knew if his day would get upended by depressive symptoms. That all changed when he found ketogenic therapy, and Ben has now put his depression symptoms into remission. Ben shares his dramatic story but also discusses his unique position as the Director of Stanford's Healthcare Innovation Lab and how he hopes studies will soon identify those who may benefit most from ketogenic therapy. But in the meantime, he wonders why everyone wouldn't try this for their depression.
Featured in this episode:
...2023-12-1147 minMetabolic MindTreating Weight Gain From Psychiatric Medications with Dr Matt BernsteinCan you successfully lose weight that you’ve gained from antipsychotics and other psychiatric medications for bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and other mental health disorders? Dr. Matthew Bernstein faces this question daily in his psychiatric practice and believes a combination of ketogenic therapy and medications like Wegovy or Ozempic may lead to sustained weight loss - as long as it is done safely and with a plan.
Dr. Bernstein also acknowledges that stubborn weight gain is a common side effect of psychiatric medications that standard "diet and exercise" weight loss advice doesn't address. Will GLP1 agonist weight loss drugs be...2023-11-2018 minMetabolic MindDon't Call It Bipolar Disorder with Hannah WarrenHannah Warren treated her bipolar disorder and put it into remission with metabolic therapies, including a keto diet. Her symptoms of psychosis and mania have disappeared, and she attributes it to a combination of metabolic interventions, including exercise, meditation, fasting, and, most importantly, ketogenic therapy, the cornerstone intervention key to treating her psychiatric symptoms and restoring her health. But even though she was given a diagnosis of bipolar 1, and she found a diet that treats bipolar, she doesn't agree with or use that term. Instead, she labels her set of symptoms as metabolic brain dysfunction – a term that more ac...2023-11-1430 minMetabolic MindBrain Energy, Mitochondria, and Mental Health with Dr. Chris PalmerAccording to Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Chris Palmer and the Brain Energy theory, mitochondria play a crucial role in mental health and in psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and others. But the good news is that recognizing the importance of mitochondria and metabolic health can help us see psychiatric illness in a whole new way and may offer novel, more effective treatments. Dr. Palmer argues this could be the solution to our mental health crisis and not only improve the lives of individuals but also impact our homeless and incarceration problems.
Expert featured in this episode
Chris...2023-10-0949 minMetabolic MindWhat are Metabolism and Metabolic Health, and How Do They Impact Mental Health?Now more than ever, we need to know how to improve our metabolic health. Disrupted metabolism, so-called metabolic dysfunction, is a dangerous condition that has been associated with numerous medical conditions, including mental illness, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and more. But what do metabolism and metabolic dysfunction mean, and what can we do to improve our metabolic health? This video gives you an understanding of what your metabolism is, how it can become dysfunctional, and what you can do to improve it.
Other references for metabolism and metabolic health:
How To Achieve Metabolic Health on Diet Doctor https...2023-10-0308 minMetabolic MindIs Ketosis Safe for Mental Health?Emerging evidence indicates that therapeutic ketosis, often from a ketogenic diet, can help treat mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anorexia, and others. But some may question if nutritional ketosis is safe, especially considering some associate ketosis with the dangerous medical condition ketoacidosis. This podcast discusses how ketosis is a safe and natural physiologic state distinctly different from ketoacidosis. This is crucial information for clinicians and everyday individuals so they can fully realize the potential benefits of therapeutic ketosis.
Educational guide discussing the safety of ketosis
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/ketosis#ketosis-ketoacidosis
Video discussing ketosis and...2023-09-2106 minMetabolic MindKetosis and Alzheimer's: A Metabolic Neuroscience Journey With Dr. Stephen CunnaneEarly evidence indicates that ketogenic therapy is a safe and effective treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. Dr. Stephen Cunnane has been part of this field for decades and has seen the research take shape. But he’s also seen very slow adoption in clinical practice. Dr. Cunnane shares his journey through this field, why he got started with ketone research, how ketogenic therapies could revolutionize how we treat dementia, and what we need to do to make it more acceptable.
Expert featured in this episode:
Dr. Stephen Cunnane
https://recherche-cerveau-sherbrooke.ca/en/laboratory-team/
Studies Refe...2023-09-0741 minMetabolic MindFasting and Ketosis to treat Dementia With Dr. Matthew PhillipsMetabolic neurology is a growing field focusing on the connection between metabolic and neurologic health, and encompasses neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, other types of dementia, and more.
Dr. Matthew Phillips is leading the way as a clinician and researcher exploring the use of metabolic therapies, like intermittent fasting and nutritional ketosis to help treat and prevent neurocognitive diseases.
Dr. Phillips shares with us what he has learned from his research studies, and what he feels are the top tips for neurologic and brain health. He also explores how...2023-08-2839 minMetabolic MindMitochondria - The Key To Disease and Mental Health with Dr. Martin PicardEmerging evidence suggests mitochondrial dysfunction can cause or contribute to many psychiatric and neurologic disorders. To promote metabolic and mental health, it’s crucial to better understand mitochondria and what we can do to keep them healthy.
As Dr. Martin Picard explains, mitochondria are small components of cells that are involved in just about every disease process, and by extension, in every aspect of promoting health. Since mitochondria are where we transform food energy into energy our bodies use, it makes sense why they are so important for health and longevity. Dr. Picard from Columbia University is one of th...2023-08-2354 minMetabolic MindKeto and MCT for Alzheimer's, One Doctor's Family JourneyDr. Mary Newport saw first hand the beneficial effects ketones can have for Alzheimer’s dementia when her husband experienced dramatic cognitive improvements. But this was back in 2008 when coconut oil or MCT oil wasn’t easy to find, and metabolic neuroscience was rarely discussed. Fast forward to 2023, and we now have multiple studies demonstrating improved cognition with ketogenic interventions for those with dementia. Dr. Newport shares her husband’s dramatic story, and helps us understand the importance of considering therapeutic ketosis for treating dementia.
Expert featured in this podcast:
Dr. Mary Newport, neonatology specialist
https://coconutketones.com/
Books by Dr...2023-08-1447 minMetabolic MindKeto For Alzheimer's: A Treatment Whose Time Has ComeNutritionist Amy Berger literally wrote the book on using therapeutic nutritional ketosis from a ketogenic diet to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s dementia. Now Ms. Berger joins us to review two new studies about ketosis and Alzheimer’s disease and how they fit into the overall scientific basis.
Expert featured in this episode:
Amy Berger, Certified Nutrition Specialist
https://www.tuitnutrition.com/
Twitter @TuitNutrition
Studies Referenced:
Ketogenic Diet as a Promising Non-Drug Intervention for Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37038820/
Effects of a ketogenic and low-fat diet on the human metabolome, microbiome, and food...2023-08-0520 minMetabolic MindAnorExit: A new Treatment Model for AnorexiaA new program for treating Anorexia Nervosa with Ketogenic Therapy called AnorExit is accepting clients. Early evidence and clinical experience indicate that therapeutic nutritional ketosis from a ketogenic diet may effectively treat anorexia nervosa. That's because therapeutic ketosis is much more than a so-called "restrictive diet." Ketosis changes how our brains create energy and can alter neurotransmitters, decrease neuroinflammation, improve mitochondrial health, and more.
The family of Caroline Beckwith, who herself recovered from Anorexia with Ketogenic Therapy, has founded AnorExit. Caroline will provide peer counseling to participants. Registered dietician Denise Potter will provide clinical support. AnorExit is the first-ever...2023-07-2617 minMetabolic MindKeto For Anorexia- 5 Dramatic Individual JourneysAnorexia nervosa is a devastating eating disorder with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness. Restricted diets are considered contraindicated in anorexia. However, emerging evidence suggests that therapeutic nutritional ketosis from a ketogenic diet could be a safe and effective treatment for those battling anorexia.
In this podcast, we share the stories of participants of the first case studies of monotherapy with a ketogenic diet to treat active anorexia. In June 2023, Dr. Nick Norwitz published a case report of three dramatic stories of individuals living with anorexia who had failed to find a successful treatment. After all three...2023-07-131h 10Metabolic MindTreating Anorexia with KetoCaroline lived with anorexia for 15 years and got to the point where she gave up hope of ever recovering and living a “normal” life. That is until her aunt, Dr. Barbara Scolnick, helped Caroline start a ketogenic diet and ketamine infusions. The result was dramatic. Caroline says she is now cured of her anorexia and lives the “normal” life she never thought she would.
But it took courage, support, and faith in an unproven treatment to get her to where she is now. Here’s her dramatic and inspiring story.
Featured in this video:
Caroline...2023-06-2730 minMetabolic MindUpcoming Research Study: Ketogenic diet for Anorexia NervosaA new study of Ketogenic Diet for treating Anorexia Nervosa will launch at UC San Diego in late summer 2023. Leading psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Guido Frank joins The Metabolic Mind Podcast to discuss the goals and design of the upcoming trial. Patients will be enrolled for a study duration of 16 weeks. Dr. Frank also discusses the lack of new treatment paradigms for Anorexia, as well as potential mechanisms of action of ketogenic therapy, including changes in brain metabolism. Dr. Frank and his team will explore, in the study, whether nutritional ketosis could be an effective therapy, bringing hope to...2023-06-1925 minMetabolic MindPsychiatrist Transforms His Practice with Keto and Metabolic TreatmentsDr. Matthew Bernstein is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist with over two decades of clinical experience. Yet, despite his extensive training and experience, he wasn’t helping his patients thrive as he had hoped. So when a personal experience led him to nutritional ketosis, he realized this could be a missing link for helping his patients. Over the ensuing year, Dr. Bernstein has focused on metabolic treatments and has seen dramatic improvements in his patients and a renewed sense of purpose and accomplishment with his professional practice.
As the Chief Medical Office for Ellenhorn, Dr. Bernstein wants to help oth...2023-06-0641 minMetabolic MindDietitian Cures Her Anorexia With KetoMichelle Hurn put her anorexia into remission using nutritional ketosis through a ketogenic diet. That meant going against everything she was taught as a patient and as a dietitian. Now she wants to share her journey and help others achieve similar breakthrough results.
But the path wasn’t easy. In this interview, you’ll hear how Michelle struggled for years to treat her anorexia and how she had to overcome her fear to finally try nutritional ketosis. As a registered dietitian, she now understands the faults in everything she learned and hopes to be a voice of reas...2023-05-2332 minMetabolic MindDoes Keto Cause Heart Disease?There’s a common belief that being in nutritional ketosis or following a ketogenic diet increases your risk of developing heart disease. But the reality is there is no such evidence. Instead, the incorrect belief is based on inaccurate and misleading data, and the assumption that LDL cholesterol increases in everyone on a keto diet. But, as board-certified cardiologist and lipidologist Dr. Bret Scher explains in this video, there’s far more to the story.
Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.
Lea...2023-05-1515 minMetabolic MindMetabolic Therapies for Psychiatry: State of the EvidenceMetabolic health is strongly connected to mental health, and metabolic therapies, like nutritional ketosis, or the insulin-sensitizing medication metformin, can improve psychiatric symptoms or even put them into remission. But how strong is the evidence connecting metabolic and mental health? Stanford psychiatrist Dr. Shebani Sethi and Dalhousie psychiatrist Dr. Cynthia Calkin help us explore the state of the evidence. And importantly, they help put the evidence into perspective. For instance, what level of evidence do you need if you are a prescribing psychiatrist versus a mom desperate for help for her child? Drs. Sethi and Calkin conduct research in...2023-05-0234 minMetabolic MindAdjusting Psychiatric Medications on a Keto DietCan a keto diet help with tapering psychiatric medications in conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, or other psychiatric illness? Can you decrease or even stop taking some or all of your medications? There is no universal answer to this question; it depends on the individual.
Psychotropic medications are typically first-line therapy for treating serious mental illness and can be life-saving. But over time, medications alone may not be completely effective in treating symptoms. And especially at high doses, they can come with problematic side effects.
Metabolic nutritional therapy, specifically with nutritional ketosis, can a...2023-04-2556 minMetabolic MindKetosis and Ketamine for AnorexiaA newly published pilot study indicates a keto diet combined with ketamine infusions can dramatically improve anorexia nervosa eating disorder. But it may not be right for everyone. Hear from the study’s authors about why they conducted the study and who they think this approach could help.
Experts featured in this video:
Barbara Scolnick, MD
Internist and Eating Disorder Specialist
Guido Frank, MD
Professor of Psychiatry at UCSD
Eating Disorder Expert
https://profiles.ucsd.edu/guido.frank
Twitter @GuidoFrank
Lori Calabrese, MD
Founder and Medical Director of Innovative Psychiatry
https://www.loricalabresemd.com/meet-lori-calabrese/
Twitter @loricalabresemd
Papers referenced in...2023-04-1443 minMetabolic MindThe Link between Insulin Resistance and Depression – An interview with Dr. Natalie RasgonMetabolic dysfunction, such as insulin resistance and pre-diabetes, is closely associated with symptoms of depression. But how do we know if metabolic dysfunction causes depression? Or if metabolic therapies could treat depression? Those are more difficult questions to answer, but there is accumulating biological evidence that links insulin resistance and depressive disorders.
Dr. Natalie Rasgon, a psychiatrist and clinician-researcher at Stanford University, published an important paper suggesting a possible causative role. Her research showed that measures of insulin resistance predicted the incidence of major depressive disorder. We discuss the background and findings of the study, as well...2023-04-0627 minMetabolic MindKeto for Brain Health – A Dramatic Personal JourneyHere's an inspiring story of one family using nutritional ketosis to treat dementia and eventually regain their lives. While everyone may not have as dramatic benefits from a keto diet, Mary and her daughter Suzi demonstrate what's possible.
Born with Down's Syndrome, Suzi lived with cognitive delay but was always able to enjoy her life and her family. Then, at the age of 43, dementia set in, and her family's life changed, seemingly forever. But then Mary found Dr. Anette Bosworth and learned about nutritional ketosis. The rest is a heartwarming and motivational story that highlights the power of this...2023-04-0439 minMetabolic MindMetformin, Insulin Resistance and Bipolar depression: From research to clinical careDr. Cynthia Calkin's study using Metformin in treatment-resistant Bipolar Disorder showed that improving insulin resistance dramatically improved depression outcomes. This research is helping shift the paradigm for how we treat bipolar disorder. Her clinical practice and research studies demonstrate that metabolic dysfunction significantly contributes to mental illness and, perhaps even more importantly, that treating metabolic dysfunction results in significant symptomatic improvements.
This is a dramatic clinical shift in psychiatry, and as you will hear, it has been slow to catch on within the psychiatry community. But with Dr. Calikn’s research and her desire to...2023-03-2445 min