Exploring Ketogenic Diets for Mental Health | 26min snip from Huberman Lab

Get the app

Dr. Chris Palmer: Diet & Nutrition for Mental Health

Huberman Lab

chevron_right

notes

CHAPTER

Exploring Ketogenic Diets for Mental Health

This chapter examines the challenges and potential of the ketogenic diet in treating Alzheimer's and cognitive decline, while critiquing the lack of clinical trials. It discusses personal experiences with dietary interventions, compliance issues, and the impact of mental health on adherence to the diet. The conversation highlights the importance of tailored dietary recommendations and professional support for individuals with severe mental health concerns.

00:00

Transcript

chevron_right

Play full episode

chevron_right

Transcript

Episode notes

My guest this episode is Chris Palmer, M.D., a board-certified psychiatrist and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He explains the important connection between nutrition, metabolism and mental health and his pioneering work using the ketogenic diet to successfully treat patients with various mental illnesses, including depression and schizophrenia. Dr. Palmer explains how the ketogenic diet is an evidenced-based treatment for epilepsy, mimics the fasted state and can offset the cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. He describes the key roles of mitochondria in mental health, how certain conditions likely arise from mitochondrial dysfunction, and how low-carbohydrate diets increase mitochondrial turnover to improve mental health. He also explains how low-carbohydrate diets positively impact the gut microbiome and weight loss, important risk factors for mitochondrial health such as marijuana and alcohol, and the best way to increase circulating ketones depending on individual needs. We also cover how a ketogenic diet impacts mood, sleep, and fertility. Dr. Palmer’s work stands as a revolutionary approach to mental health and disease that, given the prevalence of mental health challenges, should be of interest to people of all backgrounds and ages.

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.