Metabolic Mind

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

DescreiptionIndividuals with bipolar disorder are at an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and obesity, often resulting in a decreased lifespan. Clinicians must address this critical issue. There is a complicated, interconnected set of factors driving this correlation, including: medications that increase cardiometabolic burden, symptoms of the illness itself, as well genetic factors that confer risk for both bipolar disorder and metabolic complications. Dr. Mark Frye has more than twenty-five years of experience as a clinician, researcher and advocate. He is the former chair of the psychiatry department at Mayo Clinic, where he is now a professor of psychiatry. He is also the director of the scientific advisory board for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). Dr. Frye sees the early signals of the efficacy of ketogenic therapy for some patients with mental health conditions as really impressive and encouraging. He would like to see further research and exploration of the biomarkers, mechanisms, and neurobiology behind this intervention so that it could be targeted to the individual patients most likely to benefit. There is a need for the whole field to shift toward precision psychiatry. Dr. Mark Frye https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/frye-mark-a-m-d/bio-00077016 Studies discussed: Treating Insulin Resistance With Metformin as a Strategy to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression (the TRIO-BD Study): A Randomized, Quadruple-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35120... Insulin Resistance and Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction Underlie Neuroprogression in Bipolar Disorder https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34113... 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 #BipolarDisorder #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#AlternativeTreatment#CardioMetabolicRisk#Obesity#Diabetes #MedicationSideEffects

Dr. Uma Naidoo founded and directs the first US hospital-based nutritional psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Naidoo’s work focuses on empowering individuals with dietary strategies that improve overall mental health and conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression and OCD. She is a leading nutritional psychiatrist on the faculty at Harvard Medical School– she also brings unique flair as a professionally trained chef. She feels hopeful about the burgeoning fields of nutritional & metabolic psychiatry that are building a more robust evidence base for dietary and lifestyle strategies to treat mental health conditions. Dr. Naidoo’s new book, Calm Your Mind With Food, aims to equip people to eat in a way that may help ease symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety increased by 25% following the pandemic. She shares that the Standard American Diet (SAD) is “called SAD for a reason.” While specific nutritional strategies can vary drastically from patient-to-patient, Dr. Naidoo advises avoiding ultra-processed foods, full of hidden sugars often disguised under deceptive names, and seed oils. The blood sugar swings and crashes caused by the SAD diet can cause mental health symptoms. Dr. Naidoo’s previous book, This is Your Brain on Food, has sections on the efficacy of ketogenic therapy for treating severe mental illness. She also explores emerging research on how the microbiome impacts mental health. Dr. Uma Naidoo: https://umanaidoomd.com/ X - @DrUmaNaidoo Instagram - @drumanaidoo https://www.linkedin.com/in/uma-naidoo-m-d-93813860/ Dr. Naidoo's Books: Calm Your Mind with Food https://umanaidoomd.com/pages/calm-your-mind-with-food This Is Your Brain on Food https://umanaidoomd.com/pages/this-is-your-brain-on-food 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 #NutritionalPsychiatry#LifesytleMedicine#MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#AlternativeTreatment#FunctionalMedicine#HolisticHealth#IntegrativeMedicine

Dr. Matthew Be and Dr. Mariela Glandt discuss the use of GLP1 medications as a bridge treatment for implementing a ketogenic diet, highlighting benefits for metabolic disease and mental symptoms. They warn about potential side effects like lean mass loss and nutrient deficiencies, advocating for transitioning to a sustainable ketogenic diet for long-term benefits.