The Clinical Impact of Ketogenic Therapy in Epilepsy & Mental Illness | Beth Zupec-Kania, RDN, CD | The Metabolic Link Ep.54

Nov 19, 2024

Beth Zupec-Kania, a seasoned dietitian with over 30 years in ketogenic metabolic therapy, dives deep into the transformative power of ketogenic diets for epilepsy and mental health conditions. She shares insights on the cautious application of keto for anorexia nervosa and discusses challenges healthcare providers face in integrating these therapies. With ongoing research showing mental health benefits and a focus on whole foods, Beth highlights the need for clinician education and future growth of metabolic therapies in healthcare.

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ANECDOTE

How Keto Work Began For Beth

Beth Zupec-Kania started ketogenic therapy after families called her hospital about Charlie Abrams' Dateline story.
She then volunteered with the Charlie Foundation and began training dietitians globally to implement ketogenic therapy.

ANECDOTE

Keto Used In Severe Anorexia Case

A doctor asked Beth about using ketogenic diet for a niece with anorexia nervosa and they tried a carefully modified plan.
The patient achieved remission and this led to a small pilot combining ketogenic diet with ketamine showing promising results.

INSIGHT

Shared Metabolic Roots Across Disorders

Multiple conditions respond to ketogenic therapy because mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance are common across disorders.
Mental health, epilepsy, and cancer signal similar metabolic targets that ketosis can address.

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In this episode of the Metabolic Link podcast, we are joined by Beth Zupec-Kania, an experienced dietitian and nutritionist with over 30 years in the field of ketogenic metabolic therapy. Beth has played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of ketogenic diets for the treatment of epilepsy, and her work has expanded to include a variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions, including anorexia nervosa, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Beth’s expertise is shaped by years of practical experience and her involvement with The Charlie Foundation, where she helped pioneer the use of ketogenic metabolic therapy in clinical settings. In this episode, we explore how this therapy has evolved from a treatment for refractory epilepsy to a promising option for mental health conditions and other complex disorders.

We discuss the latest evidence supporting ketogenic therapy, its application in clinical practice, and the challenges healthcare providers face in integrating these therapies into standard care. Beth also shares her insights into the future of metabolic therapies in healthcare, highlighting the growing need for education and clinical expertise in this transformative area.

If you’re a medical professional interested in understanding how ketogenic metabolic therapies can improve patient outcomes across a range of conditions, this episode is a must-listen.

Special thanks to the sponsors of this episode:
Genova Connect: Receive 15% off any of their tests with code metaboliclink at https://gdx.net/themetaboliclink
Ned: Get 15% off Ned products with code METABOLICLINK at helloned.com/metaboliclink

Learn more about Beth Zupec-Kania here: https://www.bethzupeckania.com

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