In this week’s episode of The Metabolic Link, double board certified psychiatrist and obesity medicine physician, Dr. Shebani Sethi, takes us on a deep dive into the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry.Dr. Shebani Sethi is a psychiatrist and obesity medicine physician at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is the founding director of the Stanford Metabolic Psychiatry Clinic, where she researches dietary and pharmacological interventions to improve metabolic health and mental illness. Her background and expertise in integrating low carbohydrate nutrition with psychiatric care has created the foundation for Dr. Sethi to effectively treat patients based on the link between metabolism and brain function.In this episode filmed in May 2022, we cover:How Dr. Sethi implements metabolic therapy like ketogenic diets to improve psychiatric symptoms in patientsDetails on her clinical research, including a pilot study on ketogenic diets for schizophrenia and bipolar disorderUsing ketosis for 15+ years to treat conditions like depressionHopes for metabolic psychiatry concepts to spread and integrated care to become more accessibleFuture studies examining fMRI brain imaging on ketogenic dietsIf you’re interested in learning more about the body-brain connection and how metabolic dysfunction relates to mental illness, you won’t want to miss this episode!In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

This week’s episode of The Metabolic Link features an illuminating conversation between our host Dominic D’Agostino, PhD, and Dr. Abbi Hernandez, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.Dr. Hernandez received her PhD from the University of Florida, where she studied age and diet related changes in neurological function and cognitive health. Her research has focused on investigating the potential of ketogenic diets and time-restricted feeding for preventing age-related cognitive decline. Recently, she has been exploring the gut-brain axis.In this episode, we cover:The importance of the hippocampus for learning, memory, and cognitionInnovative rodent behavioral tests used to identify age-related cognitive impairmentsMetabolic flexibility in the aging brain and the role of ketonesHow time-restricted feeding alters the gut microbiome and cognitive performanceFuture research directions on alternative brain fuels like lactateExploring the possibility of using probiotics to mimic the effects of ketosis on the brainDr. Hernandez will also be a speaker at Metabolic Health Summit 2024! Secure your spot here! Early bird pricing runs through October 1st and then it's gone for good!In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

In this week’s episode, host Victoria Field speaks with Matt Baszucki and Dr. Iain Campbell about their lived experiences with bipolar disorder and the therapeutic effects of the ketogenic diet, potential root causes of the mental illness, and their mission to spread awareness and education around ketogenic dietary therapy as a treatment for bipolar disorder.Iain Campbell, PhD, is the Baszucki Research Fellow in Metabolic Psychiatry at the University of Edinburgh. He has a PhD in Global Health from the University of Edinburgh and is a principal investigator on a pilot trial of a ketogenic diet for bipolar disorder.Matt Baszucki lived with type 1 bipolar disorder for five years before coming across ketogenic therapy, and now works to educate the public about the roles of sleep, diet, and circadian rhythm management in mental illness. He currently works full-time in tech supporting third-party developers. Together, Matt and Iain host the BipolarCast podcast which can be found on YouTube. You can also learn more about the Baszucki Brain Research Fund here and watch Metabolic Mind's YouTube channel here. In this episode, we cover:Iain’s and Matt’s personal lived experiences with bipolar disorder & success in using ketogenic dietary therapyDr. Campbell’s current research on the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet for bipolar disorderBipolar disorder as an “energy-specific disorder” and its potential connection to metabolic dysregulationThe many ways people can adapt their keto diet to meet their needs and lifestyle…and so much more.Matt Baszucki and Dr. Iain Campbell will also be speaking at Metabolic Health Summit 2024, January 25-28 in Clearwater, Florida - you can get your tickets on the Metabolic Health Summit website and save with Early Bird pricing through October 1st, 2023!In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

In this episode, our co-hosts Victoria Field, Dominic D’Agostino, PhD, and Angela Poff, PhD, discuss two recent scientific studies that focus on the potential metabolic connections to neurodegenerative diseases.Study 1: Warburg-like metabolic transformation underlies neuronal degeneration in sporadic Alzheimer’s diseaseThe study delves into the molecular changes causing a neuron's transition from healthy to degenerative, as seen in sporadic Alzheimer's, which is the most prevalent form of Alzheimer's disease and isn't directly inherited but arises from a mix of genetic and environmental factors. It proposes that metabolic changes in neurons due to altered gene expression might play a role in the disease's onset. Today's discussion touches upon the similarities between the findings in this study and the well-established Warburg Effect seen in cancer. This study may provide a clue to the molecular mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s disease and open the door for exploration of potential treatments.Study 2: Phase II study of ketogenic diets in relapsing multiple sclerosis: safety, tolerability, and potential clinical benefitsThis study measured the impact of a dietitian-guided ketogenic diet on MS patients on several markers including body composition, mood, mental health, and physical stamina. Our co-hosts discuss these findings as well as the secondary benefits of ketogenic therapies due to reduced MS symptoms, and the unique challenges of dietary vs pharmaceutical trials, such as ensuring accuracy, participant compliance and how to measure the intervention’s effectiveness.If you'd like to read the papers referenced above, please find them here: Study 1 & Study 2In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

This week’s episode of The Metabolic Link features an in-depth conversation between our host Dominic D’Agostino, PhD, and Jeff Volek, PhD, RD, on a wide range of topics as well as questions submitted by our Twitter followers!Dr. Volek is a registered dietitian and professor in the Department of Human Sciences at The Ohio State University. For the last 25 years, he has performed translational research on how humans adapt to ketogenic diets with a dual focus on clinical and performance applications of nutritional ketosis.In this episode, we cover:Dr. Volek’s mentors and academic highlightsSupplementary compounds for ketosis including MCT oil and exogenous ketonesThe much-debated discussions surrounding LDL levels, bone density and kidney function while on the ketogenic dietNew developments in keto researchDr. Jeff Volek will also be a speaker at Metabolic Health Summit 2024 - Early Bird pricing ends August 1st! Secure your spot at metabolichealthsummit.com!In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

On this week’s episode of The Metabolic Link, our host and MHS Co-organizer Victoria Field interviewed Kelly Faltersack, a registered dietitian nutritionist, who specializes in treating patients with ketogenic diet therapy as an effective treatment for epilepsy and other neurological disorders.Kelly Faltersack MS, RDN, LDN, CD is a registered dietitian nutritionist at UW Health in Madison, Wisconsin. Kelly has over 10 years of experience as a registered dietitian nutritionist, and five years of experience in neuro intensive care. She has specialized in ketogenic metabolic therapy for adults with epilepsy and other neurological conditions since 2016. Kelly has co-authored publications on ketogenic metabolic therapy and serves on the medical advisory board for the Glut1 Deficiency Foundation.This episode is chock-full of resources and tips from Kelly, and her passion for improving the health of her patients is evident.In this episode, we cover:Kelly’s personal experience with the healing potential of diet and nutritionThe benefits of ketogenic diet therapy for epilepsy and other neurological disordersHow to tailor the ketogenic diet to be sustainable for your patients’ lifestyleThe discrepancy between available ketogenic therapies for children with epilepsy vs adultsKelly Faltersack will be a speaker at Metabolic Health Summit 2024 held in Clearwater Beach, Florida from January 25th - 28th! To register and save with Early Bird Pricing through August 1st, please visit: https://metabolichealthsummit.com/pages/mhs2024In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

This week’s episode of The Metabolic Link features an enlightening conversation between our host Dr. Dominic D’Agostino and Dr. Satchin Panda, PhD on the fascinating connection between time-restricted eating, circadian rhythm, and metabolic health. A leading expert in the field of circadian rhythm research, Dr. Panda is a professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and a founding executive member of the Center for Circadian Biology at the University of California.Have you been hearing lately about the importance of morning light exposure?Well, you have Dr. Satchin Panda’s research to thank for that. His research discovered that melanopsin cells in our retinas detect sunlight and send signals to our pineal gland - ultimately regulating the release of melatonin and other neurotransmitters responsible for the natural timing of circadian rhythms.And just as metabolic health is inextricably linked to most, if not all, biological processes in the human body, Dr. Panda’s work explores the genes, molecules and cells that keep the whole body on the circadian clock.In this episode, we cover:Research contrasting the effects of time-restricted eating vs. calorie-restriction for weight loss and metabolic health biomarkersThe benefits and sustainability of time-restriction vs. calorie-restriction for the average patientMelatonin’s role in both circadian rhythm and metabolic function…and 3 things anyone can do to optimize their circadian biologyIn every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

This week’s episode of The Metabolic Link features an interview with Nicole Laurent, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who helps her clients use ketogenic dietary therapy as a treatment for mental illness and neurological issues. Nicole was one of seven pioneers of Metabolic Psychiatry recognized by the Baszucki Brain Research Fund and the Milken Institute with the Metabolic Mind Award in 2022.What is Metabolic Psychiatry?Metabolic psychiatry is an emerging field that focuses on targeting and treating metabolic dysfunction to improve mental health outcomes. There is growing evidence of a connection between mental illness and altered metabolism in the brain, so focusing on metabolic dysfunction in addition to traditional mental health treatments can further improve treatment outcomes.Nicole Laurent’s StoryHaving already been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, Nicole developed trigeminal neuralgia while completing her graduate degree. Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder involving sudden and severe facial pain, and despite trying various treatments, Nicole was prescribed increasing doses of pain medication. These came with a host of negative side effects including cognitive decline and reduced quality of life.It wasn’t until Nicole addressed her underlying metabolic dysfunction through a ketogenic diet that her life changed: “…the energy came on, the lights came on, and I knew I was on the right track."Nicole Laurent’s WorkToday, Nicole works as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and life coach, helping clients use nutrition to feed and heal their brains alongside traditional therapy modalities including CBT, DBT, and EMDR. In this episode, we cover:The challenges of promoting de-prescribing in a healthcare system focused on pharmaceutical interventionsThe role of micronutrients in combination with a ketogenic diet for mental health improvementsThe importance of working with a prescriber when implementing ketogenic therapy, especially to address potentiation effects and medication adjustmentsResources to learn more about the connection between metabolic function and mental health… and more!In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

In this Journal Club episode, The Metabolic Link Hosts Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, Dr. Angela Poff, and Victoria Field review recent research uncovering the potential impact of high blood glucose on stroke outcomes and the positive influence of exercise on Alzheimer’s disease.An ischemic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain is occluded. This prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching a region of the brain, ultimately causing some of that tissue to die. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel bursts and causes bleeding into the brain, and is a less common but often more dangerous type of stroke. Hyperglycemia following an acute ischemic stroke is known as a predictor of poor clinical outcomes. In the first research paper discussed, researchers set out to explore whether this also holds true for intracerebral hemorrhage.The group also dives into a fascinating paper investigating the potential functional benefits of aerobic exercise in early Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers investigated memory performance, executive function, and functional ability in association with exercise-related gains in cardiorespiratory fitness.Please find all research references below:Aerobic exercise for Alzheimer’s disease: A randomized controlled pilot trialHigher fasting blood glucose was associated with worse in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage: From a large-scale nationwide longitudinal registryIn every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

It’s said that more than one billion individuals around the world suffer from migraines each year. A migraine isn’t your average headache. It’s often completely debilitating and may include sensitivity to light and sound, vomiting, severe pain, and other symptoms that can wreak havoc on quality of life. Despite being one of the most common neurological disorders on the planet with a high prevalence in (particularly female) young adults, many of those troubled by migraines do not receive effective care and continue to suffer.Lack of tolerable and efficacious treatment options is exactly what led our most recent interview guest of The Metabolic Link, Dr. Elena Gross, to pursue her degree in neuroscience at the University of Oxford and her PhD in clinical research. Dr. Gross is on a mission to better understand this common disease and ultimately wants to improve clinical care with a metabolic approach to its management.Dr. Gross is particularly passionate about the therapeutic benefits of ketosis and other nutritional interventions, the role of mitochondrial functioning and energy metabolism in brain health and neurological diseases, as well as increasing our health span via disease prevention. She’s also an inventor on four patents, founder and CEO of a company called Brain Ritual, and the creator of the Mastering Migraine Community. She went from suffering from chronic migraines herself to now leading the charge in research and educational outreach that explores the underlying thread of metabolism in migraine.In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.