The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast #292 Can Keto Work and Is It Actually Unhealthy? | Dr Nick Norwitz
Apr 9, 2025
Dr. Nick Norwitz is a researcher and expert in ketogenic diets and lipid metabolism, currently studying at Harvard. In this conversation, he dives into the controversies surrounding saturated fat and heart disease. The discussion reveals surprising insights about cholesterol and the ketogenic diet's effects on metabolic health. Nick shares his personal health journey with IBD and how keto transformed his life. They also explore the importance of personalized nutrition, the complexities of health biomarkers, and the need for nuanced discussions in dietary science.
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Nick's Health Journey
- Nick Norwitz's health struggles began in college with weakening bones and ulcerative colitis.
- These worsened during grad school, leading to hospital stays and desperation, until a ketogenic diet provided relief.
Rigorous Diet Experimentation
- Nick Norwitz tried various diets rigorously before keto, including specific carbohydrate, low FODMAP, Mediterranean, paleo, and vegan diets.
- He prioritized subjective feelings over strict biomarker tracking, seeking relief from debilitating symptoms.
Ketosis and Ketones
- Ketosis is a metabolic state with ketone bodies in your blood, primarily beta-hydroxybutyrate, which fuels the brain.
- Ketones also act as signaling molecules, influencing cell function and gene expression like hormones.