Ep. 111: Stevia vs. Sugar, Ketogenic Diets for Epilepsy, and Spore-Based vs Standard Probiotics (Q & A)
Mar 28, 2024
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Topics include the differences between spore-based and standard probiotics, ketogenic diets for epilepsy, concerns with low-calorie sweeteners, and whether stevia is better than artificial sweeteners.
Spore-based probiotics differ from regular probiotics, providing potential benefits for gut health without causing imbalance or leaky gut.
Ketogenic diets for epilepsy offer seizure reduction through ketones' impact on brain function, highlighting alternatives like exogenous ketones or MCT oil.
Consider the drawbacks of using stevia as a sweetener, emphasizing concerns on endocrine function, inflammation, and the importance of context in consumption.
Deep dives
Sport-Based Probiotics vs. Regular Probiotics
Sport-based probiotics, different from regular lactobacillus and bifidobacteria-based probiotics, may have distinct benefits. While typical probiotics can lead to SIBO and interfere with restoring a healthy microbiome after antibiotics, sport-based probiotics could be beneficial when used correctly with the right strains to address gut issues without causing imbalance or leaky gut.
Ketogenic Diets for Epilepsy
Ketogenic diets can be beneficial for epilepsy by providing ketones that may reduce seizures. The use of exogenous ketones or MCT oil might offer benefits without the drawbacks of a strict ketogenic diet, such as metabolic stress and thyroid function concerns. Ketones can impact brain function by increasing GABA levels, reducing aspartate, and lowering oxidative stress and inflammation.
Gut Microbiota and Seizure Protection
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the anti-seizure effects of the ketogenic diet. Alterations in the gut microbiome are associated with protection against seizures in mice models. Transplanting the gut microbiota from ketogenic diet-fed mice or introducing specific bacterial species can confer seizure protection even without being on a ketogenic diet, highlighting the significant influence of gut health on seizure susceptibility.
Potential Issues with Stevia and the Importance of Considering Context
The podcast delves into the potential drawbacks of using stevia as a sweetener, highlighting concerns such as its impact on endocrine function, inflammation, liver and kidney health, thyroid hormones, and weight regulation. While some studies suggest beneficial effects of stevia, others raise red flags about its negative impact on various physiological processes, emphasizing the need to be cautious about its consumption. The importance of considering the context in which stevia is used, including dosage and overall diet composition, is emphasized to make informed choices about sweeteners.
Considering Alternatives to Stevia and the Value of Balanced Nutrition
The episode discusses the significance of opting for natural sugar sources over stevia for sweetness in food, advocating for choices like fruits, honey, maple syrup, and granulated sugar instead. It underscores the benefits of incorporating carbohydrates and nutrients from whole foods to support energy production and overall health. Emphasizing the psychological aspects of food choices, the podcast encourages shifting perspectives towards enjoying a variety of foods without guilt or restriction, promoting a holistic approach to dietary decision-making.
Click here to check out the show notes: https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/ep-111-stevia-vs-sugar-ketogenic-diets-for-epilepsy-and-spore-based-vs-standard-probiotics-qa
Timestamps:
0:00 – intro
1:17 – whether spore-based probiotics can cause bacterial overgrowths like SIBO
4:53 – the drawbacks of standard probiotic use and the limitations of stool testing
9:55 – how spore-based probiotics protect against pathogenic bacteria and endotoxin and which spore-based product Jay recommends
15:39 – long-term benefits of spore-based probiotics and how long you need to use them for these benefits
21:05 – whether low-carb or ketogenic diets are necessary to improve epilepsy
29:25 – using ketones for fuel and why the production of ketones isn't the problem on a ketogenic diet
30:48 – the main drivers of epileptic seizures and how ketones help to prevent or reverse them
34:17 – the role of the gut microbiome in brain health and epilepsy
42:18 – concerns with low- or no-calorie sweeteners like stevia
48:03 – whether we should be concerned about the lack of nutrients in table sugar, honey, and maple syrup
54:55 – stevia as a potential endocrine disruptor that may have negative effects on the thyroid, liver, and kidneys
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