Can ketogenic therapy help college students living with depression? Jeff Volek, PhD, RD, is investigating this question in a pilot study at The Ohio State University, where he is a professor in the Department of Human Sciences. Dr. Volek has been a world-renowned expert in ketogenic diets for more than two decades. He has pioneered critical work raising awareness of how the keto diet can reverse diabetes and metabolic syndrome and enhance athletic performance and recovery. In this interview with Dr. Bret Scher, Dr. Volek discusses his new work exploring ketogenic therapy for depression, including some of the challenges, especially for a college-age population, as well as the immense benefits. The study results so far are extremely promising, with students who maintain ketosis reporting a dramatic improvement in symptoms. Other topics they cover include how metabolic dysfunction underlies most chronic diseases, what a well-formulated keto diet looks like, and the importance of bringing ketogenic therapy into academic programs in dietetics and medicine. Dr. Volek shares that he is unaware of any academic programs that instruct on keto nutrition as a powerful medical intervention–this is a critical step to make metabolic therapies more mainstream. Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Experts in this episode: Jeff Volek, PhD, RD https://u.osu.edu/caffre/people/volek/ https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jeff-Volek/author/B001JOYRQE?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Clinical trial mentioned in the video: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06080932?cond=depression&term=Ketogenic%20Diet&rank=2&limit=10 If you or a loved one are looking to begin ketogenic therapy for a psychiatric condition, visit this page for resources: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Read about the completed and ongoing research exploring ketogenic therapy for psychiatric conditions: https://www.metabolicmind.org/research Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #MetabolicNeuroscience#NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#AlternativeTreatment#KetoForDepression#KetoForBipolar#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy#DepressionDiet#Depression

The emerging field of metabolic psychiatry is demonstrating that many patients may be able to effectively treat serious psychiatric conditions, like bipolar disorder, major depression and schizophrenia, with ketogenic therapy. However, some individuals object to a medical keto diet claiming that the brain needs carbs. Ketogenic diets usually do, in fact, include some dietary carbs, but even if they didn’t, this is a false assertion. Some clinicians and the American Diabetes Association may make this false declaration because they are confusing carbs with glucose. The brain does require glucose (synonymous with blood sugar). While glucose can come from dietary carbs, it can also be produced from fat and protein through a process called gluconeogenesis. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher dives into the details, as well as explaining why research related to dietary interventions can be misinterpreted, and can even become a source of confusing misinformation when taken out of context. Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #Depression#MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#AlternativeTreatment#KetoForDepression#KetoForBipolar#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy

People with bipolar disorder are four to six times more likely to die prematurely compared to those without a psychiatric disorder. (In comparison, smokers are two to three times more likely to have a shortened lifespan.) There are several contributing factors, including things like metabolic dysfunction, as well consequences of lifestyle choices influenced by disease burden Science needs to urgently investigate these extremely poor outcomes in search of more effective interventions that will enhance quality of life for people with bipolar disorder. Emerging evidence and clinical experience indicate that ketogenic and metabolic therapies may have a central role in addressing this concerning trend. Dr. Bret Scher interviews Dr. Melvin McInnis, Professor of Bipolar Disorder and Depression at University of Michigan, on these pressing topics. Dr. McInnis is working on a pilot trial that will look at a “ketogenic mimicking diet,” augmenting a low carb diet with exogenous ketones in bipolar disorder. Could this address unwanted metabolic dysfunction in this population? We applaud Dr. McInnins and his team for asking the question. Experts in this episode: Melvin McInnis, M.D., FRCPsych https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/melvin-mcinnis-md https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/prechter-program/melvin-g-mcinnis-md-frcpsych Study The Heinz C. Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5837550/ If you or a loved one are looking to begin ketogenic therapy for a psychiatric condition, visit this page for resources: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #KetoForBipolar#Bipolar

A pioneering, peer-reviewed pilot trial at Stanford, supported by funding from by Baszucki Group and others, investigated a 4-month keto diet intervention for individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia who also had metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance. They saw dramatic psychiatric and metabolic improvements that warrant further research investigations and offer hope to patients looking for new treatment options. Dr. Bret Scher interviews Shebani Sethi, MD, ABOM of Stanford University School of Medicine and Founding Director of the Stanford Metabolic Psychiatry Clinic. She discusses the details of this study which represents a milestone in the field of metabolic psychiatry: It is the first to investigate ketogenic therapy in serious mental illness since 1965. Standard of care treatments for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia typically exacerbate metabolic dysfunction, often leading to increased cardiometabolic risk and comorbidities that shorten lifespan. This trial showed unique outcomes in terms of dual improvements in both metabolic function and psychiatric symptoms Key findings of the single-arm pilot trial include: - 79% of participants showed clinically meaningful psychiatric improvement - 100% of participants who met the criteria for metabolic syndrome were in remission by the end of the study. - Reductions were seen in weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and visceral adipose tissue. - Improvements were identified across all psychiatric measures. & more Based on the results of Dr. Sethi’s study, along with preliminary data from a University of Edinburgh trial, Baszucki Group has followed its pilot trial grants with the establishment of a new global funding program: ReThink Bipolar: Researching Therapeutic Integration of Nutritional Ketosis in Bipolar Disorder. To date, the program has announced $8M in funding to McLean Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh for randomized controlled trials combining mechanistic explorations with a clinical ketogenic intervention. Experts in this episode: Shebani Sethi MD, ABOM https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/shebani-sethi#bio Twitter: @ShebaniMD Study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178124001513?via%3Dihub Stanford news release: https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/04/keto-diet-mental-illness.html If you or a loved one are looking to begin ketogenic therapy for a psychiatric condition, visit this page for resources: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Dive into the research happening on metabolic psychiatry: https://www.metabolicmind.org/research Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #KetoForBipolar#KetoForSchizophrenia

There are many biases both for and against a keto diet. At Metabolic Mind, an organization focused on ketogenic therapy for psychiatric conditions like bipolar, schizophrenia, and chronic depression, we acknowledge our own pro-keto bias; however, we also are proactive about taking a measured approach, grounding our understanding and content in scientific evidence. Often, an anti-keto bias may be prevalent among traditional doctors due to limited education on therapeutic ketosis. You can recognize these red flags indicating an anti-keto bias: - Referring to keto as one “diet”: Keto is not a “diet,” but a physiologic state - Confounding studies on an incorrect definition of “low-carb” and ketogenic diets: They are not the same thing - And others Similarly, here are some claims that show a pro-keto bias and are unsubstantiated claims: - A keto diet is super easy for everyone to follow: The perceived difficulty of a keto diet will vary for individuals - All carbs are evil and dangerous: Fibrous carbs can be part of a balanced diet for individuals who have good metabolic health - And others At Metabolic Mind, we encourage everyone to take a balanced approach and to think critically about the current scientific evidence to make informed healthcare decisions. If you or a loved one are looking to begin ketogenic therapy for a psychiatric condition, visit this page for resources: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #KetoDiet#AntiKeto

Dave Feldman is a citizen scientist and founder of Citizen Science Foundation. In this interview, he sits down with us to discuss the success of the 2024 Collaborative Science (CoSci) Conference and how one community is helping make research better. All proceeds from this year’s CoSci Conference are being used to help fund further research for lean mass hyper-responders. This year’s events included presentations from medical experts, researchers and individuals with their own citizen scientist journeys. The conference was a groundbreaking gathering that highlighted the spirit of scientific discovery. Dave Feldman, Citizen Scientist CitizenScienceFoundation.org X: @realDaveFeldman More about CoSci: https://cosci.org/ Watch our interview with Dave about his lean mass hyper-responder study: https://youtu.be/hNqqr5mqSU4 If you or a loved one are looking to begin ketogenic therapy for a psychiatric condition, visit this page for resources: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #CoSci#CollaborativeScience

Dr. Bret Scher, a medical expert in ketogenic therapy and mental health, dives into the complexities of keto for mental wellness. He discusses how individual responses to the ketogenic diet can greatly vary and highlights seven common reasons why it might not be working, such as insufficient ketone levels and nutrient deficiencies. Dr. Scher emphasizes the importance of a tailored approach and suggests working with clinicians to overcome challenges and ensure better outcomes for those struggling with mental health conditions.

Dive into the intriguing world of ketogenic diets and their unconventional effects on mental health. Experts discuss how some individuals may experience hypomania when transitioning to keto, especially those with bipolar disorder. You'll learn essential strategies to minimize these risks, including gradual dietary changes and electrolyte support. Plus, insights on the importance of professional guidance and monitoring during this significant lifestyle shift make this an enlightening listen for anyone considering keto therapy.

Research indicates that following a keto diet can be an effective form of metabolic treatment for depression, particularly atypical and treatment-resistant forms. Dr. Erin Bellamy has seen ketogenic therapy’s success through her online program Integrative Ketogenic Research and Therapies (ikrt.org), which helps patients implement a keto diet for mental health conditions and effectively coordinate with their prescriber and health care team for the best treatment outcomes. The length of time it takes to see improvements when following a ketogenic diet to treat mental health conditions can vary. In some cases, it can take time to alleviate symptoms of depression; Dr. Bellamy recommends continuing the diet for at least twelve weeks to gauge treatment outcomes. Dr. Erin Bellamy finished a PhD in psychology specializing in Ketogenic Diets & Depression from the University of East London. Her decision to pursue research on ketogenic diets for mental health dates back to 2016, before metabolic psychiatry started to emerge as a cohesive field that is growing exponentially. She is excited to see how quickly the field is evolving. Featured in this episode: Dr. Erin Louise Bellamy BA (Hons) MSc (KCL) PhD AFBPsS MHP Founder & CEO of Integrative Ketogenic Research and Therapies www.ikrt.org Twitter @ErinLBellamy LinkedIn erin-louise-bellamy/ Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #Depression#MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#AlternativeTreatment#KetoForDepression#DepressionTreatment#MedicationSideEffects#TreatmentResistantDepression

Metabolic dysfunction is the root cause of most noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and mental health conditions. Luckily, simple, practical strategies can improve insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic health, including controlling carbs, eating whole foods rich in protein and fat, and doing resistance training to strengthen muscles. Dr. Ben Bikman is a professor of cell biology and physiology at BYU; he is also passionate about bringing to the public science to help everyone make informed decisions to better their health. In this discussion with Dr. Bret Scher, Dr. Bikman explains that insulin resistance is at the heart of metabolic dysfunction. He details the three primary drivers of insulin resistance: stress, inflammation, and, the most common and detrimental cause, too much insulin driven by the constant consumption of refined starches and sugars. Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Dr. Ben Bikman InsulinIQ.com Instagram: @benbikmanphd X/Twitter: @BenBikmanPhD Check out Why We Get Sick by Dr. Bikman: https://a.co/d/bHPn1io Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#AlternativeTreatment#Diabetes #InsulinResistance #MetabolicHealth#PreventativeMedicine #LowCarb