In this episode, PhD researcher and fourth-year medical student Nick Norwitz returns to Metabolic Mind to discuss his recently published case series featuring ten individuals who have successfully managed their Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) using a carnivore ketogenic diet. This promising approach is challenging conventional dietary norms, particularly when it comes to managing chronic inflammatory conditions. Nick delves into why this dietary intervention may offer significant therapeutic be...
Oct 14, 2024•36 min
In this interview with Dr. Bret Scher, Dr. Mark Horowitz, a leading clinician and researcher in anti-depressant withdrawal and de-prescribing, delves into the complex world of de-prescribing anti-depressants. Dr. Horowitz shares his personal journey with antidepressant withdrawal, which led him to dedicate his career to understanding safe tapering practices. He discusses the challenges that patients face when coming off medications, the withdrawal effects often mistaken for relapses, and how the...
Oct 07, 2024•48 min
In this insightful interview, PhD researcher Isabella Cooper dives deep into the science of ketosis and its impact on health. She discusses how it's not just about maintaining high levels of ketones but also about the quality and source of those ketones. Isabella highlights the importance of avoiding unhealthy fats and proteins like soybean oil, canola oil, and pea protein isolate while following a ketogenic diet. Discover the latest research findings on cycling in and out of ketosis and how it ...
Sep 30, 2024•52 min
Does eating a very low carbohydrate or ketogenic diet increase the risk of heart disease? Many healthcare practitioners might say yes, but recent evidence suggests otherwise. Contrary to popular belief, a ketogenic diet does not automatically increase cardiac risk. This video explores a new study that supports this notion, challenging misconceptions that may prevent people from using ketogenic therapy to treat conditions like diabetes, depression, bipolar disorder, and other brain-based disorder...
Sep 23, 2024•6 min
In this interview, Dave Feldman, citizen scientist and founder of the Citizen Science Foundation, and Nick Norwitz, Oxford PhD and Harvard medical student, discuss their latest study, which challenges the traditional view of LDL cholesterol and its relationship to heart disease risk and metabolic health. Their research focuses on lean mass hyper-responders (LMHRs)—lean, metabolically healthy individuals on a low-carb, high-fat diet, also known as a ketogenic diet. Their findings suggest that LDL...
Sep 16, 2024•44 min
In this powerful interview, Lauren Kennedy West shares her deeply personal journey with schizoaffective disorder and how traditional medical treatments fell short in addressing the root causes of her struggles. Lauren opens up about her discovery of metabolic therapies—focusing on diet, exercise, and sleep—which have played a crucial role in her path to wellness. Despite years of living with a challenging mental illness, Lauren found that these therapies offered a way to not just survive but tru...
Sep 09, 2024•38 min
Are you following a ketogenic diet or using ketogenic therapy to manage depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other brain-based disorders? If so, you've probably heard conflicting advice about protein intake—how much is too much? In this video, Dr. Bret Scher explains how to determine the right amount of protein for your unique needs. Whether you're concerned about maintaining ketosis or just want to optimize your health, this video breaks down the science in an easy-to-understand way....
Sep 02, 2024•9 min
Dr. Mariela Glandt is a renowned endocrinologist, ketogenic therapy expert, and CEO and Co-Founder of OwnaHealth. In this interview, Dr. Glandt shares her groundbreaking work using the OwnaHealth app to treat metabolic dysfunction, type 2 diabetes, and pre-diabetes among a Medicaid population in the South Bronx. This inspiring pilot demonstrates that health improvements can transcend socioeconomic boundaries, offering hope and tangible results to underserved communities. Thank you for watching! ...
Aug 21, 2024•22 min
In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Elena Gross, a neuroscientist and chronic migraine sufferer turned researcher, who shares her compelling journey and innovative approach to managing migraines through metabolic therapies. Dr. Gross discusses the critical role metabolism plays in neuropsychiatric diseases and how understanding this connection has driven her academic and professional pursuits. *Key Highlights* • Personal Journey: Dr. Elena Gross' battle with chronic migraines led h...
Aug 12, 2024•39 min
In this video, Dr. Bret Scher dives into the ongoing debate: Is the Mediterranean diet or a ketogenic diet better for mental health? While both diets have shown promise in improving symptoms of depression and other psychiatric conditions, this video examines the evidence behind each and discusses their potential benefits. According to Dr. Scher, any investigation into nutritional interventions for health conditions is a step in the right direction. Diets that steer away from the Standard America...
Aug 05, 2024•8 min
Blanket statements like "carbs are good" or "carbs are bad" are misleading. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher delves into the question: Are carbs bad for your mental health? Join Dr. Scher as he explores the complex relationship between carbohydrates and mental health, particularly focusing on the potential benefits of ketogenic therapy for serious mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression. Key Highlights: -Introduction to Carbs and Mental Health: Unpacking the m...
Jul 29, 2024•8 min
Meet Dr. Timur Liwinski, a clinician-scientist specializing in internal medicine, metabolic health, and the gut microbiome. Currently completing his psychiatry residency, Dr. Liwinski shares groundbreaking insights on ketogenic therapy for depression in this exclusive interview with Dr. Bret Scher. Discover the impact of the ketogenic diet and microbiome on mental health, as Dr. Liwinski examines the intricate connections between dietary practices, the gut-brain axis, and mental well-being. *Key...
Jul 22, 2024•35 min
In this interview, Mary Newport, MD, discusses her groundbreaking approach to treating dementia using coconut oil and MCT oil, highlighting the role of ketones, and exploring the stories of almost 300 families who have benefited. Dr. Newport delves into the science behind coconut and MCT oils, explaining how they generate ketones, provide an alternative energy source for the brain, and offer other potential benefits for those affected by dementia and Alzheimer's disease. *Key Highlights* - Perso...
Jul 15, 2024•29 min
In this interview, Maria Edwards shares how her lived-experience putting bipolar 2 disorder into remission inspired her to become a researcher in the field of metabolic therapies. Maria completed a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition and her thesis was a feasibility study that examined ketogenic therapy for patients recovering from brain injuries. She also worked on the very first study on ketogenic therapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that is currently in the peer-review process. Despit...
Jul 08, 2024•36 min
In this episode, Dr. Bret Scher addresses common misconceptions and concerns surrounding the long-term safety and nutritional adequacy of ketogenic diets. Dr. Scher emphasizes the importance of weighing potential risks against known benefits. For instance, psychotropic medications, despite often worsening overall physical and metabolic health, are considered beneficial because they can alleviate symptoms of serious mental illnesses. In contrast, many patients experience incredible benefits from ...
Jul 01, 2024•13 min
Discover groundbreaking insights from Dr. Lori Calabrese, a Connecticut-based psychiatrist, who recently published a case series demonstrating the complete remission of depression and anxiety in three patients through ketogenic interventions. Dr. Calabrese's case studies offer a "slice of real life," highlighting patients with multiple comorbidities, which is more common than not. She explains how ketogenic therapy can lead to full remission of depression and anxiety, enabling patients to become...
Jun 24, 2024•26 min
In this interview, Julie Milder, PhD, the director of neuroscience at Baszucki Group, discusses the groundbreaking research being done at the intersection of metabolism and mental health, including 13 clinical trials across eight institutions for ketogenic therapy for serious mental illness. Join us as Dr. Milder explains the importance of flexibility in scientific research, the unique opportunities provided by philanthropic funding, and the Baszucki Group's vision for the future of metabolic ps...
Jun 17, 2024•25 min
There is an escalating crisis of metabolic dysfunction in our youth, with growing rates of obesity, diabetes, and mental illness. Is it safe to use ketogenic therapy in children and teens for better management or reversal of these conditions? Dr. Matthew Calkins, an early career physician board certified in family and obesity medicine, argues it is. A 2023 paper published in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) exaggerates risks associated with a ketogenic diet in pediatric patients. It also...
Jun 10, 2024•42 min
At Metabolic Mind, we emphasize that ketogenic therapy for psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression should be done with oversight from a clinician trained in metabolic therapies. Sometimes patients and their families voice frustration because it can be challenging to access metabolic psychiatry care. While ideally, every patient would have help from a clinician trained in medical keto for mental health, we know that this is not currently possible for many ...
Jun 03, 2024•33 min
Ketosis is a therapeutic physiologic state induced by eating a keto (reduced-carb) diet that can treat, and often reverse, a wide range of illnesses from type 2 diabetes, to psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia. A medical keto diet can be a very powerful intervention, but, sometimes, people are told that their other health conditions, such as gout or high LDL cholesterol, would make following a keto diet unsafe. In most cases, even with other health conditio...
May 27, 2024•8 min
A new randomized controlled trial (RCT) at University of Oxford will examine the ketogenic diet for ADHD and depression. Ally Houston, who began treating his ADHD, seasonal depression, and chronic anxiety with ketogenic therapy in 2016, is spearheading the trial. Within weeks of starting the medical keto diet, Ally’s life completely transformed. He ultimately reversed his conditions, which inspired him to leave a career in physics to help others with metabolic interventions. He co-founded MetPsy...
May 22, 2024•27 min
When looking for information about how nutrition can improve brain health, it is important to remember that you cannot necessarily believe everything you read. Dr. Bret Scher discusses a recent article from Healthline called Foods to Eat and Avoid With Bipolar Disorder as one example of an article that makes unsubstantiated claims. The article cites flawed studies and also jumps to conclusions that are not science-based. Will eating more beans, chocolate and whole grains help your bipolar disord...
May 13, 2024•7 min
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...
May 06, 2024•29 min
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 ...
Apr 29, 2024•4 min
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 en...
Apr 22, 2024•42 min
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 interv...
Apr 15, 2024•23 min
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 recogniz...
Apr 08, 2024•7 min
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 j...
Apr 01, 2024•23 min
Ketogenic therapy can be a powerful intervention for many people with mental illness, including those with serious conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depression. Initial data indicates that individual response to ketogenic therapy for mental health may vary. Research is ongoing and needs to further investigate underlying mechanisms and how metabolism impacts brain function in individual patients. While keto may not be an effective treatment for everyone, there are a number...
Mar 25, 2024•9 min
Ketogenic therapy, commonly in the form of a keto diet, is often known for having more “side benefits” than “side effects.” However, it is a powerful medical intervention and, as such, not entirely without risks. In some instances, individuals transitioning onto a keto diet to treat a mental health condition, like bipolar or schizophrenia, can experience symptoms of hypomania. There are many strategies to increase the safety of keto and mitigate potential risks, including slowly easing into a ke...
Mar 18, 2024•14 min
