Huberman Lab

Dr. Chris Palmer: Diet & Nutrition for Mental Health

1605 snips
Nov 21, 2022
Guest
Chris Palmer MD
Dr. Chris Palmer, a Harvard psychiatrist, dives into the groundbreaking links between diet and mental health. He discusses the ketogenic diet's role in treating conditions like depression and schizophrenia, revealing how it boosts mitochondrial function and overall cognitive health. Palmer emphasizes the diet's benefits for mood, sleep, and even gut health, while addressing the risks of substances like alcohol in mental wellness. With his innovative approach, he provides a fresh perspective on using nutrition as a powerful tool in mental health treatment.
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ANECDOTE

Dr. Palmer's Health Journey

  • Dr. Palmer had OCD and depression as a child, and later developed metabolic syndrome despite a healthy lifestyle.
  • After trying the Atkins diet, he reversed his metabolic syndrome and saw improvements in mood, energy, and sleep.
ANECDOTE

Early Clinical Observations

  • Dr. Palmer noticed an antidepressant effect from low-carb diets and started offering it to patients with treatment-resistant mental illnesses.
  • Some patients experienced remarkable improvements, including one woman who became hypomanic after years of chronic depression.
ANECDOTE

Monitoring Ketosis

  • Initially, Dr. Palmer used urine strips to monitor ketosis in his patients, recommending they achieve urinary ketosis for clinical benefit.
  • He noticed that patients who didn't achieve ketosis often didn't experience the same positive effects.
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