Podcasts > The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett > Keto Diet Specialist: What The Keto Diet Is Really Doing To Your Body! Can It Cure 43% Of Mental Illnesses? The Truth About The Keto Diet!

Keto Diet Specialist: What The Keto Diet Is Really Doing To Your Body! Can It Cure 43% Of Mental Illnesses? The Truth About The Keto Diet!

By Steven Bartlett

In this episode of The Diary Of A CEO, Georgia Ede and Steven Bartlett explore the significant impact diet and nutrition have on mental health. They discuss how the ketogenic diet, by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, has the potential to stabilize mood and cognition. Ede highlights recent studies that suggest the ketogenic diet may be effective in treating severe, treatment-resistant mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression.

The episode further delves into the mental health benefits of dietary changes and personalized, holistic nutrition approaches. Ede argues for addressing the root metabolic causes of mental illnesses through diet rather than solely relying on medication. She shares case studies where patients experienced improved mental well-being by adopting a brain-healthy diet tailored to their individual needs.

Keto Diet Specialist: What The Keto Diet Is Really Doing To Your Body! Can It Cure 43% Of Mental Illnesses? The Truth About The Keto Diet!

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Keto Diet Specialist: What The Keto Diet Is Really Doing To Your Body! Can It Cure 43% Of Mental Illnesses? The Truth About The Keto Diet!

1-Page Summary

Diet and Nutrition Impact on Mental Health

Georgia Ede and Steven Bartlett discuss how diet profoundly affects brain chemistry, and how the ketogenic diet can help stabilize mood and cognition by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and [restricted term] resistance.

Nutritional Factors Rapidly Impact Mental Health

Ede emphasizes how diet, exercise, stress, and sleep influence brain function. Many remain unaware of food's significant role in mental health.

How Ketogenic Diet Stabilizes Brain

The ketogenic diet alters brain fuel usage, enhancing cell function. Originally for epilepsy, it reduces inflammation and [restricted term] resistance linked to mental illness. Ede notes [restricted term] interacts with stress, hunger, and other hormones, causing mood issues on a high-carb diet. Ketosis provides the brain more reliable energy once liver starch stores deplete.

Ketogenic Diet Research for Mental Health

Recent studies suggest potential for the ketogenic diet in treating severe, treatment-resistant mental illnesses.

Study Shows 43% Remission Rate

In a French study, 43% of treatment-resistant patients achieved remission from bipolar, schizophrenia, or depression after adopting a ketogenic diet. 64% reduced medications, and all improved mentally and metabolically.

"Keto Corrects Metabolic Imbalances Causing Mental Illness"

Ede argues many mental illnesses stem from metabolic imbalances which the ketogenic diet can help correct. Transitioning requires medical supervision due to brain chemistry changes.

Mental Health Benefits of Dietary Change

Ede and Bartlett expound on the mental wellbeing advantages of low-carb, high-fat diets like keto.

Presenter's Experience Improving Mental Health Through Diet

After treating patients unsuccessfully with conventional methods for years, Ede discovered an unconventional diet dramatically improved her chronic fatigue, IBS, anxiety, and depression when medications failed.

Case Studies Show Potential of Dietary Interventions

Ede has witnessed the ketogenic diet provide a "buffer" against mental health challenges for her patients. Case studies reinforce the potential for personalized nutrition to outperform medication for resistant symptoms by addressing root metabolic causes instead of just managing symptoms.

Personalized Nutrition for Mental Wellbeing

Ede advocates for personalized, holistic nutrition to improve mental health by establishing metabolic health.

A Brain-Healthy Diet Must Nourish, Protect, Energize

To nourish the brain, Ede recommends including essential nutrients from animal foods. Avoiding inflammatory, oxidative foods protects the brain. Energizing involves stable glucose/[restricted term] via ketosis.

Holistic Approach Considering Psychology of Eating

While metabolic needs inform dietary adjustments, Ede notes psychological factors around eating habits also require consideration for sustainable change. A team approach with professionals and peers supports this transition.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • The ketogenic diet may not be suitable for everyone due to individual differences in metabolism, genetics, and health conditions.
  • Long-term adherence to a ketogenic diet can be challenging due to its restrictive nature, which may lead to nutritional deficiencies if not properly managed.
  • The impact of diet on mental health is complex and multifactorial; other factors such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle also play significant roles.
  • The evidence supporting the ketogenic diet for mental health is still emerging, and more rigorous, long-term studies are needed to establish its efficacy and safety.
  • Some mental health conditions may not respond to dietary interventions alone and may require a combination of treatments, including medication and therapy.
  • The ketogenic diet's high-fat content may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in some individuals, especially if saturated fats are consumed in excess.
  • The remission rates reported in studies may not be generalizable to all populations, and individual responses to the diet can vary widely.
  • The psychological impact of restrictive diets on individuals with eating disorders or disordered eating patterns should be carefully considered.
  • Personalized nutrition should be evidence-based and take into account the potential for placebo effects and confirmation bias in anecdotal reports.
  • The emphasis on animal foods for essential nutrients may conflict with ethical, environmental, or personal dietary preferences, such as vegetarianism or veganism.
  • The psychological factors around eating habits are complex and may require more than just a team approach to address underlying issues effectively.

Actionables

  • You can track your mental health alongside your dietary changes to observe correlations. Start a journal where you document your daily food intake, mood, cognitive function, and any symptoms of mental health issues. Over time, this can help you identify patterns and the impact of your diet on your mental health. For example, note if you feel more focused or stable on days when you adhere to a low-carb, high-fat diet.
  • Experiment with meal prepping brain-healthy recipes to simplify your dietary transition. Dedicate one day a week to prepare meals that align with a ketogenic diet, ensuring they include ingredients known to nourish and protect the brain, such as fatty fish, nuts, and leafy greens. This approach can help you maintain consistency and reduce the temptation to deviate from your diet due to lack of time or resources.
  • Engage with a virtual nutrition coach specializing in personalized ketogenic diets for mental health. Utilize an app or service that offers tailored meal plans and tracks your progress in achieving metabolic health. This personalized support can help you make informed decisions about your diet and its effects on your mental health, providing a structured path to follow.

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Keto Diet Specialist: What The Keto Diet Is Really Doing To Your Body! Can It Cure 43% Of Mental Illnesses? The Truth About The Keto Diet!

Diet and Nutrition Impact on Mental Health

Georgia Ede and Steven Bartlett discuss how diet can have a profound impact on mental health, and how the ketogenic diet in particular can help stabilize brain chemistry and reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and [restricted term] resistance.

Dietary Strategies Rapidly Improve Brain Chemistry and Mental Health

Diet, Exercise, Stress, and Sleep Profoundly Impact the Brain

The brain responds to every aspect of life, including diet, exercise, stress, and sleep. Ede emphasizes that many people remain unaware of how significant a role food plays for the brain, often misled by misinformation about proper nutrition. She suggests that correct dietary information can significantly improve mood, memory, concentration, stamina, productivity, and mental stability.

How Ketogenic Diet Stabilizes Brain Chemistry, Reduces Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, [restricted term] Resistance

Keto Diet Alters Brain Fuel, Enhancing Cell Healing and Function

Ede explains that a ketogenic diet can lead to tremendous reductions in anxiety, sometimes within as few as three days. A ketogenic diet switches the brain's energy source from a high carbohydrate, high [restricted term] diet to one that stabilizes brain chemistry and enhances cell healing and function. Originally designed for children with epilepsy, the diet reduces inflammation, oxidative stress, and [restricted term] resistance, tackling root causes of mental illnesses.

Georgia Ede describes how children often wake up in natural ketosis and that this metabolic health and flexibility diminish as one ages. She explains that [restricted term] stability is critical as it interacts with stress hormones, reproductive hormones, blood pressure regulating hormones, satiety hormones, and hunger hormones, causing those on a high-carb diet to experience stress cycles of ...

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Diet and Nutrition Impact on Mental Health

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Beta-hydroxybutyrate is a ketone produced by the liver during periods of low carbohydrate intake or fasting. A level of 0.5 millimoles per liter or higher in the blood indicates that the body is in a state of ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body shifts from using glucose as its primary fuel source to using fat for energy, leading to the production of ketones like beta-hydroxybutyrate. Maintaining ketosis through a ketogenic diet can have various health benefits, including improved mental clarity and weight loss.
  • Metabolic health and flexibility diminishing with age means that as people grow older, their bodies become less efficient at processing and utilizing energy from food. This decline can lead to challenges in maintaining stable blood sugar levels, managing weight, and regulating various hormones that impact overall health. Factors like decreased muscle mass, hormonal changes, and lifestyle habits can contribute to this decline in metabolic function over time. Adopting strategies like a ketogenic diet can help support metabolic health by providing a more stable energy source and promoting better overall health outcomes.
  • [restricted term] stability is crucial as it interacts with various hormones like stress hormones, reproductive hormones, blood pressure regulating hormones, satiety hormones, and hunger hormones. When [restricted term] levels fluctuate due to diet, it can impact the balance of these hormones, leading to disruptions in the body's regulatory processes. Maintaining stable [restricted term] levels through diet, such as with a ketogenic diet, can help support the proper functioning of these interconnected hormonal systems, promoting overall health and well-being.
  • When the body enters a state of ketosis, it shifts from using carbohydrates as its primary fuel source to burning fat for energy. This metabolic state is achieved ...

Counterarguments

  • The relationship between diet and mental health is complex, and while some individuals may benefit from a ketogenic diet, it is not universally effective for all mental health conditions.
  • Long-term adherence to a ketogenic diet can be challenging for many people due to its restrictive nature, which may limit its practicality as a widespread solution for mental health issues.
  • The ketogenic diet may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with certain health conditions like pancreatitis, liver failure, disorders of fat metabolism, or certain mitochondrial disorders.
  • Some research suggests that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins may also improve mental health, offering an alternative to the ketogenic diet.
  • The ketogenic diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies if not carefully managed, as it typically involves a lower intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are important sources of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
  • There is a risk of increased cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk factors for some individuals on a high-fat diet like the ketogenic diet.
  • The state of ketosis is not necessarily a natural or optimal state for all bodily functions, and the long-term effects of sustained ketosis on the body are not fully understood.
  • The emphasis on ketosis may ov ...

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Keto Diet Specialist: What The Keto Diet Is Really Doing To Your Body! Can It Cure 43% Of Mental Illnesses? The Truth About The Keto Diet!

Ketogenic Diet's Clinical Research and Application in Mental Health

Recent clinical experiences and studies are indicating that the ketogenic diet may play a significant role in treating treatment-resistant chronic mental illnesses and improving various aspects of mental health.

Ketogenic Diet Improves Treatment-Resistant Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Major Depression

Georgia Ede cites a pilot study by Ali Houston at Oxford University showing signals correlating ketone levels with attention symptoms in ADHD. Dr. Albert D'Antoni, a psychiatrist in France, conducted a study involving 31 of his most treatment-resistant patients with bipolar disorder, major depression, or schizophrenia. These patients had been ill for an average of 10 years, and all had at least one marker of poor metabolic health.

Study: 43% of Severe Chronic Mental Illness Patients Achieved Remission on Ketogenic Diet, 64% Reduced Medications

Ede reports impressive outcomes from the ketogenic diet. In D'Antoni's study, 43% of patients achieved clinical remission from their chronic mental illnesses, and 64% were able to reduce their psychiatric medications. All 31 participants showed improvement in their mental health, and 28 of them maintained the ketogenic diet for more than two weeks. Notably, participants also improved metabolically.

"Keto Diet Improves Mental Health By Correcting Metabolic Imbalances"

Ede points out that many mental illnesses are considered imbalances in brain chemicals like serotonin and [restricted term]. The ketogenic diet helps by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress and correcting the brain's fuel source.

Transitioning to a ketogenic diet can be challenging—patients in the study received careful supervision and support when switching from a high-carbohydrate diet. Medical and psychiatric supervision is crucial as the diet fundamentally changes brain chemistry. Conditions such as blood sugar and blood pressure, especially for those on medication for diabetes or hypertension, need careful management due to potential changes caused by the diet. ...

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Ketogenic Diet's Clinical Research and Application in Mental Health

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The correlation between ketone levels and ADHD symptoms suggests that ketones, produced during a ketogenic diet, may influence attention symptoms in individuals with ADHD. This relationship is being explored in research to understand how changes in ketone levels could potentially impact cognitive function and attention in those with ADHD. The pilot study mentioned in the text indicates initial signals of this correlation, highlighting the need for further investigation into the effects of ketosis on ADHD symptoms.
  • Markers of poor metabolic health in mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia, can include issues like [restricted term] resistance, obesity, and abnormal lipid profiles. These markers are indicators of how the body processes energy and nutrients, which can impact brain function and mental health. Addressing these metabolic issues through interventions like the ketogenic diet may help improve mental health outcomes by restoring balance to the body's energy metabolism. By targeting these markers, interventions can potentially enhance the effectiveness of treatments for chronic mental illnesses.
  • The ketogenic diet impacts brain chemistry by altering the brain's primary fuel source from glucose to ketones, which can influence neurotransmitter activity. Ketones produced during ketosis may enhance the production of GABA, a calming neurotransmitter, potentially affecting mood and anxiety levels. Additionally, the diet's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can help reduce oxidative stress in the brain, contributing to overall mental well-being. Transitioning to a ketogenic diet should be done under medical supervision due to its significant effects on brain chemistry and potential interactions with medications.
  • When transitioning to a ketogenic diet, some people may experience what is commonly known as the "keto flu." This temporary set of symptoms can include fatigue, headache, dizziness, irritabilit ...

Counterarguments

  • The sample sizes in the studies mentioned may be too small to generalize the results to a larger population.
  • The duration of the studies may not be long enough to assess the long-term effects and sustainability of the ketogenic diet in treating mental health conditions.
  • There may be a selection bias in the studies if participants were not randomly assigned, which could affect the validity of the results.
  • The ketogenic diet may not be suitable for everyone due to individual differences in metabolism, genetics, and personal health conditions.
  • The improvements in mental health could be due to factors other than the ketogenic diet, such as the placebo effect or the additional medical and psychiatric support provided during the studies.
  • The ketogenic diet may have adverse effects that were not reported or not yet known, such as nutrient deficiencies or negative impacts on gut microbiota.
  • There may be ethical concerns about recommending a diet that is restrictive and can be difficult to adhere to, potentially leading to disordered eating patterns.
  • The relationship between metabolic health and mental health is complex, and w ...

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Keto Diet Specialist: What The Keto Diet Is Really Doing To Your Body! Can It Cure 43% Of Mental Illnesses? The Truth About The Keto Diet!

Dietary Changes and Mental Wellbeing Benefits

Georgia Ede and Steven Bartlett discuss the profound impact dietary choices can have on mental health, particularly focusing on the benefits of low-carb, high-fat diets.

Presenter's Experience With a Low-carb, High-Fat Diet in Nutrition and Brain Health Study

Presenter Improved Chronic Fatigue, IBS, Anxiety, and Depression With Unconventional Diet After Conventional Treatments Failed

Georgia Ede shares her personal journey with chronic fatigue, IBS, anxiety, and depression, and how she addressed these issues by experimenting with her diet. After 10 years of practicing conventional psychiatry and finding that her patients did not significantly improve with medications and psychotherapy, she realized the need for a different treatment plan. Ede's shift in practice came after she observed that chronic mental illnesses were not effectively treated with the standard approach. The unconventional diet she discovered – primarily consisting of seafood, meat, non-starchy vegetables, and poultry – drastically improved her physical health symptoms. This dietary change, which was contrary to typical health advice, also had an unexpected positive impact on her mental health.

Case Studies: Diet Interventions Remit Resistant Mental Health Symptoms

Case Studies Reveal Benefits Of Targeting Root Metabolic Causes of Mental Illness With Personalized Nutrition Over Symptom Management With Medications

Ede describes the ketogenic diet as providing her patients with a "buffer" against difficult situations, allowing them more control over their emotions and behaviors. She observes that symptoms often improve when patients adhere to a ketogenic diet, and when they stray from it, symptoms can return quite quickly. Steven Bartlett practices a ketogenic diet for its positive effects on focus and body composition.

Georgia Ede emphasizes the importance of knowing which foods nourish the brain and which can cause damage. This understanding allows for the removal of harmful foods, which can often have more profound effects on brain health than medication. The case studies discussed, including the story of Carl who found relief from his mental health issues through a carnivore diet, underscore the potential ...

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Dietary Changes and Mental Wellbeing Benefits

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While some individuals may experience improvements in mental health symptoms with dietary changes, it is important to note that mental health is complex and multifactorial. Diet alone may not be sufficient for everyone, and other treatments such as therapy or medication may still be necessary.
  • The benefits of a ketogenic diet or other restrictive diets may not be sustainable or suitable for all individuals due to potential nutrient deficiencies, difficulty in adherence, or personal health conditions.
  • The evidence supporting the efficacy of ketogenic or carnivore diets for mental health is still emerging, and more rigorous, large-scale, long-term studies are needed to establish their safety and effectiveness.
  • Personalized nutrition is a promising field, but it is still in its infancy. The idea that one can target the metabolic underpinnings of mental illness with diet alone may be an oversimplification of the complex nature of these disorders.
  • The high response rates reported in studies of oligoantigenic diets for ADHD may not be replicable in larger, more diverse populations, and such diets may be difficult to implement in the long term.
  • The positive effects observed in case studies and pilot studies may be influenced by placebo effects or the participants' belief in the efficacy of the diet, which may not be accounted for in the study design.
  • The text does not address potential ...

Actionables

  • You can start a food-mood journal to track how different foods affect your mental state. Begin by logging everything you eat and noting any changes in your mood, energy levels, or mental clarity. This can help you identify patterns and potentially problematic foods that may be impacting your mental health.
  • Experiment with a 'mental health meal plan' for one month, focusing on foods that are consistent with a low-carb, high-fat approach. Plan your meals to include a variety of seafood, meats, non-starchy vegetables, and poultry, and observe any changes in your physical and mental well-being.
  • Engage with a registered dietitian who specializes in nutri ...

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Keto Diet Specialist: What The Keto Diet Is Really Doing To Your Body! Can It Cure 43% Of Mental Illnesses? The Truth About The Keto Diet!

Personalized and Holistic Nutrition's Role in Mental Health

Georgia Ede highlights the critical link between nutrition and mental health. She insists that personalized nutrition can be more effective than medicine in certain cases, especially when it comes to mental health.

Principles of a Brain-Healthy Diet: Nourish, Protect, Energize; Personalize To Metabolic Needs & Health Goals

Understanding Metabolic Health For Dietary Adjustments

Personalized and holistic nutrition that incorporates mental health improvement focuses on a brain-healthy diet's core principles: nourish, protect, and energize. Ede explains that mental health can benefit from a diet that satisfies these principles, even if improving mental health isn’t the initial aim. To nourish the brain, Ede suggests including essential nutrients in one’s diet, with some animal foods being necessary. Protecting the brain entails avoiding foods that cause inflammation and oxidative stress—key drivers of depression and other mental conditions.

Energizing the brain involves providing a stable supply of high-quality energy and maintaining healthy glucose and [restricted term] levels. Ede points out that there are various means to lower [restricted term] levels, such as fasting, exercise, and calorie restriction. Still, the ketogenic diet is the only method to sustain ketosis long-term.

Ede specializes in nutritional and metabolic psychiatry and speaks to how food affects brain metabolism and mental health. She mentions that more than 90% of Americans suffer from [restricted term] resistance or prediabetes, which are now seen as primary drivers of mental health issues. The degree of metabolic health dictates how much carbohydrate one's body can tolerate, influencing emotional, intellectual, and physical health.

Environmental factors like plastics, pesticides, antibiotics, and food additives can break down the body's defenses and should be considered when personalizing nutrition. Tailoring the diet to individual metabolic health needs is thus essential for mental well-being.

Addressing Psychological and Behavioral Aspects of Eating Is Crucial for Long-Term Dietary Changes to Enhance Mental Wellbeing

Ede suggests her book is for people with mental health conditions who seek a holistic approach. Adjusting one's diet to personal energy needs and metabolic health is important; for instance, an athlete Ede consulted with had to add some carbohydrates back into his diet.

The relationship between food and psychology is complex, influenced by history, spi ...

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Personalized and Holistic Nutrition's Role in Mental Health

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan designed to induce and maintain ketosis. In ketosis, the liver produces ketones, which serve as an alternative energy source for the body and brain. This diet is known for its potential benefits in weight loss, blood sugar control, and mental clarity.
  • [restricted term] resistance and prediabetes can impact mental health due to their effects on brain function and mood regulation. These conditions are linked to inflammation and oxidative stress, which are known to contribute to mental health disorders. Metabolic health, influenced by [restricted term] sensitivity, plays a role in how the body processes carbohydrates, affecting emotional and cognitive well-being. Addressing [restricted term] resistance and prediabetes through dietary adjustments can potentially improve mental health outcomes.
  • Metabolic health relates to how well your body processes food for energy. It influences emotional, intellectual, and physical well-being by affecting hormone levels and overall bodily function. Poor metabolic health, like [restricted term] resistance, can lead to various health issues, including mental health conditions. Improving metabolic health through nutrition can positively impact overall health and well-being.
  • The relationship between food and brain metabolism is crucial as the nutrients we consume directly impact brain function and mental health. Certain nutrients play key roles in neurotransmitter production, energy metabolism, and overall brain health. A balanced diet can support optimal brain function, while deficiencies or imbalances may contribute to mental health issues ...

Counterarguments

  • While personalized nutrition can be beneficial, it may not be more effective than medicine for all individuals or all mental health conditions; medication and therapy remain essential treatments for many psychiatric disorders.
  • The necessity of animal foods for brain nourishment is debated; some research suggests that well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets can also provide essential nutrients for brain health.
  • The claim that more than 90% of Americans suffer from [restricted term] resistance or prediabetes may be an overestimation, and the prevalence can vary depending on the population and diagnostic criteria used.
  • The ketogenic diet may not be suitable for everyone due to its restrictive nature, and long-term adherence can be challenging; it may also lead to nutrient deficiencies if not carefully managed.
  • The emphasis on lowering [restricted term] levels as a primary driver of mental health issues may oversimplify the complex etiology of mental health disorders, which can involve a multitude of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
  • Environmental factors' impact on metabolic health is a complex area of study, and while they may contribute to health issues, individual susceptibility and exposure levels can vary greatly.
  • The psychological and behavioral aspects of eati ...

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