Metabolic Mind

Do GLP-1s Work for Depression—or Is It Metabolism?

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:25:00 -0400

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide have been widely discussed as breakthrough treatments for weight loss and metabolic health. But a large new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry is shifting the conversation toward something deeper: the connection between metabolic health and mental health.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down what the research actually shows, and just as importantly, what it doesn’t.

The study analyzed health records from over 95,000 individuals with type 2 diabetes and depression or anxiety. Those taking GLP-1 medications showed a lower risk of severe psychiatric outcomes, including hospitalization and self-harm, compared to other diabetes treatments.

But here’s the nuance:

This wasn’t an intervention trial, and it didn’t show that GLP-1s treat depression or lead to remission. Instead, it showed less worsening of mental health over time.

This video explores:

What “less worsening” really means in mental health research
Why metabolic health and brain health are closely connected
The limitations of large observational studies
How GLP-1s might fit into a broader metabolic approach to mental health
The emerging role of ketogenic therapy and other metabolic interventions

👉 To learn more about responsible use and clinical considerations for GLP-1 medications, explore the Coalition for Metabolic Health’s policy brief on GLP-1s.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #CoalitionForMetabolicHealth #KetogenicTherapy

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

Coalition for Metabolic Health’s policy brief on GLP-1s

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon.

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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.

GLP-1s and Cardiovascular Risk: What the Latest Evidence Reveals

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:05:00 -0400

GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide are often described as “game changers” for weight loss and cardiovascular health, and in many ways, the data support that claim. Clinical trials suggest meaningful reductions in major cardiovascular events, offering hope for individuals struggling with metabolic disease.

But there’s an important nuance that deserves more attention: what happens when these medications are stopped?

In this conversation, Dr. Bret Scher explores emerging real-world data showing that the benefits of GLP-1s, particularly for cardiovascular risk, appear to depend on continued use. For many individuals, stopping the medication leads to a reversal of progress, raising important questions about long-term strategy, sustainability, and what true metabolic healing looks like.

Are we managing symptoms, or addressing root causes?
What role should medications play in long-term care?
How can we use powerful tools like GLP-1s to support, rather than replace, sustainable metabolic change?

For some individuals, long-term use may be appropriate and beneficial. But we need to broaden the conversation toward approaches that aim to improve underlying metabolic health, support lasting behavior change, and ultimately reduce reliance on lifelong interventions when possible.

If you’re exploring GLP-1s or are currently taking one, consider speaking with your healthcare provider about how to pair your treatment with sustainable lifestyle strategies such as nutrition, physical activity, and metabolic support, to help maintain progress over time.

👉 How do GLP-1 medications impact mental health? Learn more on our blog:

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mental Health: Are GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Suicidal Thoughts?

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #GLP1 #FoodAsMedicine

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist discontinuation and risks of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes: target trial emulation

https://bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/5/1/e002150

Coalition for Metabolic Health: GLP-1 Policy Brief

https://coalitionformetabolichealth.org/resources/glp-1-medications-and-metabolic-health/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

High Cholesterol on Keto? Here’s One Psychiatrist’s Approach

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:59:00 -0400

We’re seeing increasingly compelling results from ketogenic therapy in serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. But what happens when a potential concern emerges along the way?

In this conversation, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Lori Calabrese to walk through a real patient case that highlights both the promise and the complexity of metabolic treatment.

A young woman with longstanding schizophrenia experienced dramatic improvements in her mental health, metabolic markers, and quality of life after starting a ketogenic intervention. But alongside these gains, her LDL cholesterol rose significantly, raising important clinical questions.

Rather than defaulting to extremes, either stopping the therapy or ignoring the lab values, Dr. Calabrese takes a thoughtful, patient-centered approach:

Investigating deeper cardiovascular risk markers
Exploring potential underlying causes, including familial hypercholesterolemia
Collaborating across specialties, including cardiology
Prioritizing both psychiatric recovery and long-term health

This case illustrates a critical principle in metabolic psychiatry: context matters. Lab values don’t exist in isolation, and neither do patients.

It also highlights a broader shift in medicine where clinicians are increasingly called to step beyond traditional silos and consider the full metabolic picture when treating brain-based conditions.

At Metabolic Mind, we believe these nuanced conversations are essential. The goal isn’t to ignore risk or to abandon effective therapies, but to better understand both so individuals can make informed decisions alongside their care teams.

You can learn more about this conversation in the documentary The Cholesterol Code. The film shares firsthand accounts from individuals whose lives improved with ketogenic therapy, even as their LDL levels rose dramatically. It also follows how they worked with their care teams to better understand their cardiovascular risk and what that approach could mean in your own situation.

🎬 The Cholesterol Code is now streaming on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0GS8ZFCYN/

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine

Expert Featured:

Lori Calabrese

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

My LDL Went Up On Keto. Should I Stop? Cardiologist Explains

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:52:00 -0400

What do you do when keto is genuinely changing your life, but your LDL goes up?

That's exactly the question Dr. Bret Scher sits down to answer in this conversation with podcast producer Erica Gerard.

Erica started ketogenic therapy for two reasons: to support her taper off long-term antidepressants, and to address symptoms of complex PTSD. Six months in, the results were remarkable. A smoother taper, less anxiety, fewer flashbacks, and a greater sense of calm than she'd ever experienced.

Then she got her labs back. Her LDL had jumped from 94 to 150.

In this episode, Dr. Scher walks through one way to think about a rising LDL in the context of ketogenic therapy, and why the answer is almost never "stop doing what's working."

You'll hear:

Why total cholesterol is the least useful number to focus on
Why LDL is not the disease, vascular disease is
What advanced imaging options exist for a more complete picture of heart health
Why an initial LDL rise on keto may resolve on its own within a year
How to have a productive conversation with your doctor about this

This conversation sits at the heart of a bigger question, one that The Cholesterol Code documentary explores in depth.

Featuring individuals whose lives were transformed by ketogenic therapy, only to see their LDL rise dramatically, the film asks an important question. Is abandoning a life-changing intervention really the right answer based on one biomarker alone? Is there a better way to assess heart health?

🎬 The Cholesterol Code is now streaming on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0GS8ZFCYN/

AFTER YOU WATCH — Do this to help this film make a bigger impact 👇

Leaving an honest review on Amazon can make a real difference. Reviews help this film qualify as an Amazon Prime listing, putting it in front of a much larger audience who might never have found it otherwise.

You can also help this film reach more people by sending it directly to friends, family, and colleagues who you think could benefit from watching it. Start now by tagging a friend in the comments!

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

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:

DGA vs AHA: Why Nutrition Guidelines Disagree

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:16:00 -0400

How do the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations compare, and why do they differ?

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down where these two major nutrition guidelines align, where they diverge, and what that means for your health. At the center of the conversation is a key question: should health be defined by a single lab marker, or by a broader view of metabolic function?

In this video, you’ll learn:

Why LDL cholesterol is only one piece of cardiovascular risk
Why the two guidelines differ on saturated fat, red meat, and full-fat dairy
The role of markers like fasting insulin, triglycerides, HDL, and body composition
How different dietary patterns influence metabolic health in different ways
Why recommendations around saturated fat and full-fat dairy remain controversial
How historical beliefs and evolving evidence shape nutrition guidelines

This discussion also highlights a critical point: nutrition science is complex, and population-wide recommendations don’t always translate clearly to individual health.

While both organizations emphasize whole foods and reducing processed sugars and refined grains, the DGA reflects a growing recognition that there is more than one way to eat well, while the AHA continues to take a more prescriptive stance on saturated fat and animal-based foods.

💡 Learn more about the role of saturated fat and animal products in a well-formulated ketogenic diet on our blog: Understanding the Well-Formulated Ketogenic Diet

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #DietaryGuidelines

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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 Psychiatry in Practice: Ketogenic Therapy for Mental Health Care

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:05:00 -0400

People with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety are seeing real improvements through ketogenic therapy. Now there's real-world clinical data to back it up.

In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Erin Bellamy to discuss her newly published findings from a clinical program bringing ketogenic therapy into everyday mental health care.

While this was not a randomized controlled trial, the results offer an important look at how these interventions may work in everyday clinical practice, with meaningful improvements reported across both depression and anxiety measures.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

What the study found and how to interpret the results
The difference between real-world evidence and randomized trials
Why some individuals were able to achieve clinically meaningful improvements, including remission
The role of structure, education, and ongoing support in implementing ketogenic therapy
Common challenges people face and how group support can help navigate them
How ketogenic therapy can be personalized based on individual needs
The real-life improvements participants experienced in mood, anxiety, daily functioning, and quality of life

Dr. Bellamy also shares powerful insights from her clinical experience, including how individuals with long-standing, treatment-resistant symptoms were able to make meaningful lifestyle changes, challenging the idea that people with mental health conditions cannot adhere to dietary interventions.

Looking ahead, Dr. Bellamy is launching a new study through the Metabolic Psychiatry Scholar Award to further explore and scale this approach.

Learn more about the impact of metabolic therapies on depression and mood disorders on our Depression Topic Page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Depression

Expert Featured:

Dr. Erin Bellamy

Resources Mentioned:

Papers

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2026.1751564/full

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXvKhdRqXiw

Additional resources

https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/awards/(Metabolic Psychiatry Scholar Award)
IKRT.org/trial

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Hope for Youth Mental Health: Beyond Antidepressants and ADHD Meds

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:24:00 -0400

Are we turning to ADHD and depression medications too quickly for kids?

The Wall Street Journal and New York Times recently published powerful investigations into the overuse of psychiatric medications in children. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher unpacks the key takeaways, the risks of polypharmacy, and why a comprehensive, root-cause approach is more important than ever for kids facing mental health challenges.

🔍 In this episode, Dr. Scher covers:

The risks of overmedicating: side effects, polypharmacy, and long-term consequences
Why behavioral therapy is being overlooked, even though it's supposed to be first-line
How nutrition and metabolic health impact focus, mood, and behavior in kids
Why low-carb and ketogenic therapies may offer new hope
The growing research into metabolic therapies for pediatric mental health

As the youth mental health crisis continues to worsen, it's time we examine our current treatment options and consider what's missing and how we can prioritize nutrition, behavioral therapy, and safer first-line care.

👉 To learn more about ketogenic therapy for youth mental health, check out our Youth Mental Health Hub: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/youth-mental-health/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #YouthMentalHealth #ADHD

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

Millions of Kids Are on ADHD Pills. For Many, It’s the Start of a Drug Cascade.

https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/kids-adhd-drugs-medication-06dfa0b7?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqcVhhl0bubzA_1q6yvfc7z3u0t44jw3AzUR9AZSyNO6avhB6NAoOJw72qVmojw%3D&gaa_ts=692b4191&gaa_sig=J0FYmn3CRlIzfq4EpHUykmVvbcGCu-cxuLnKihjrGx1rkjdeoIP693bQ3368UEKDGO2StTwq0maWdWb1L_TTdA%3D%3D

What to Know About Teen Sexual Development and S.S.R.I.s

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/magazine/what-to-know-teen-sexual-development-ssris.html

Oxford’s Keto for ADHD & Depression Randomized Controlled Trial – with Ally Houston

https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/news-views/podcasts/metabolic-mind-podcast/oxfords-keto-for-adhd-depression-randomized-controlled-trial-with-ally-houston/

What Happens When Kids Try Keto for Bipolar? featuring Elizabeth Errico

https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/news-views/podcasts/metabolic-mind-podcast/what-happens-when-kids-try-keto-for-bipolar-featuring-elizabeth-errico/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

ApoE4, Meat, and Dementia: What the Data Actually Shows

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:08:00 -0400

If you carry the ApoE4 gene, you’ve likely been told your risk for Alzheimer’s disease is significantly higher. But what does that really mean, and how much control do you actually have?

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the science behind ApoE4, one of the strongest genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, and explains why increased risk does not mean a predetermined outcome.

You’ll learn how ApoE4 may influence brain health through inflammation, lipid metabolism, and energy use, and why lifestyle and environment play a critical role in shaping these pathways.

This video also explores:

Why ApoE4 does not guarantee Alzheimer’s disease
What research shows about traditional populations with low dementia rates
How metabolic health, diet, and lifestyle may influence brain aging
New research challenging common assumptions about meat, fat, and dementia risk
The role of key nutrients like B12, iron, and amino acids in brain function

Dr. Scher also reviews recent observational studies suggesting that higher meat consumption may be associated with lower dementia risk in ApoE4 carriers, challenging long-standing dietary narratives.

The takeaway: your genes are one piece of the puzzle. Your daily choices, environment, and metabolic health may play a powerful role in shaping long-term brain outcomes.

💡 To learn more about metabolic approaches to brain and mental health, visit metabolicmind.org

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #FoodAsMedicine #AlzheimersDisease

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

Meat Consumption and Cognitive Health by APOE Genotype

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.6489

A gradient risk of cognitive impairment with vegetarian diets in older adults: highest for vegan and potential benefit for pescatarian

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2026.118455

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Is This the Best Food Score Yet? | With Dr. Ty Beal

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:47:00 -0400

How do we actually define “healthy food”? And how is it possible that processed, sugary cereals like Lucky Charms score higher than natural foods like eggs and meat in some food scoring systems?

Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Ty Beal to explore a newly developed nutritional value scoring system designed to better reflect nutrient density, bioavailability, and chronic disease risk.

Unlike many existing systems that can produce confusing or counterintuitive rankings, this approach aims to take a more comprehensive and transparent look at what makes food truly nourishing.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

Why many popular food scoring systems fall short
What “nutrient density” really means and why it’s more complex than it sounds
How bioavailability, protein quality, and nutrient diversity factor into food quality
The role of ultra-processing, fiber, omega-3s, and nutrient ratios in shaping health outcomes
Why animal-source foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy can play an important role in a healthy diet
How this system can be adapted to different dietary patterns, including plant-based, omnivorous, and ketogenic approaches

Dr. Beal also shares the challenges of developing a system like this, from navigating scientific trade-offs to facing intense peer review, and why transparency and flexibility are essential when translating nutrition science into real-world tools.

Importantly, this scoring system offers a framework to help individuals, clinicians, and policymakers better understand food quality within the context of overall dietary patterns and metabolic health. Rather than relying on overly simplistic labels like “good” or “bad,” tools like this can help guide more informed, personalized decisions.

💡 Explore more resources on metabolic health, mental health, and the current state of nutrition research at

metabolicmind.org

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #FoodAsMedicine #NewPublication

Expert Featured:

Dr. Ty Beal

Resources Mentioned:

Nutritional Value Score Rates Foods Based on Nutrient Density and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention

https://jn.nutrition.org/article/S0022-3166(26)00092-1/fulltext

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Rebuilding Trust In Your Body After a Mental Health Setback

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Nurturing your relationship with yourself and your body can play a meaningful role in how you move forward from a mental health setback.

Nicole Laurent shares a grounded, compassionate perspective on navigating setbacks. She explores how these moments can sometimes disrupt trust in ourselves, creating an internal tension that makes progress feel harder than it needs to be.

She explores:

Why setbacks can shake trust in your body, and how to rebuild it
How to approach challenges with curiosity instead of self-judgment
Common triggers that can lead to going off track
How mindset and framing influence long-term success
How your relationship with food and your body can evolve over time

The key takeaway: setbacks are part of the learning process. Reconnecting with the idea that your body is working toward balance can help you move forward with more clarity, confidence, and resilience.

💡Learn more about navigating setbacks on the mental health journey in our blog: How to Bounce Back from Challenges and Setbacks.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicPsychiatry

Expert Featured:

Nicole Laurent, LMHC

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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/

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Rethinking Cholesterol Risk: What Lean Mass Hyper-Responders Reveal

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:10:00 -0400

Is high LDL cholesterol always a red flag?

For a growing group of people known as Lean Mass Hyper-Responders (LMHRs), the answer might not be so black and white.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher unpacks the science and questions behind LMHRs—metabolically healthy, lean individuals who see a dramatic rise in LDL cholesterol after starting a ketogenic diet. Unlike people with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), their elevated LDL occurs in a unique metabolic context: low insulin, high HDL, low triglycerides, excellent metabolic health, and comes on only after adopting a ketogenic diet.

🔍 In this video, you'll learn:

• What defines a Lean Mass Hyper-Responder

• Why conventional cholesterol risk frameworks may not apply to LMHRs

• The key differences between LMHRs and those with familial hypercholesterolemia

• Why context, like insulin sensitivity and metabolic health, might matter

• Why this phenomenon deserves thoughtful study, not assumptions

This growing curiosity around LMHRs is the focus of a powerful new documentary: The Cholesterol Code. Featuring researchers, clinicians, and individuals living with this phenotype, the film challenges long-held beliefs about cholesterol, risk, and metabolic health, and opens the door to a more nuanced conversation

🎬 Real change starts with real conversations. Join us in sharing The Cholesterol Code, a powerful film that challenges outdated thinking about cholesterol and heart health. Sign up to host a screening or find one near you at 🔗 https://cholesterolcodemovie.com/host-a-screening/.

Together, we can reach the people who need this most.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #LDLCholesterol

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

https://cholesterolcodemovie.com

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Can You Prevent Dementia? A Neuroscientist Explains

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:17:00 -0400

Are we destined for cognitive decline as we age, or do we have more control than we think?

In this conversation, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with neuroscientist and researcher Dr. Tommy Wood to explore a powerful shift in how we think about brain health, aging, and dementia prevention.

Dr. Wood challenges the common belief that cognitive decline is inevitable, highlighting how lifestyle, environment, and daily habits can meaningfully shape our brain’s trajectory over time. He introduces his “3S Framework”—Stimulus, Supply, and Support—to explain how brain function is built, maintained, and optimized across the lifespan.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

Why cognitive decline isn’t inevitable
How mindset and engagement can influence brain aging
The role of metabolic health and energy supply in brain function
How nutrition, sleep, exercise, and social connection interact to support the brain
Where ketogenic therapy and ketones may fit into brain health and cognitive decline
How to navigate modern challenges like technology, AI, and information overload from a brain health perspective

Dr. Wood also shares insights from his upcoming book, The Stimulated Mind, offering a practical framework to help individuals “future-proof” their brain and stay sharp in an ever-changing world.

The key takeaway: brain health isn’t about a single intervention. It’s about consistently engaging, fueling, and supporting the brain in ways that promote resilience over time.

💡 To learn more about metabolic approaches to brain and mental health, visit metabolicmind.org or sign up fo the Metabolic Mind newsletter at metabolicmind.org/newsletter

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Dementia

Expert Featured:

Dr. Tommy Wood

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Wood's Book

https://www.drtommywood.com/stimulated-mind

Google effects on memory: cognitive consequences of having information at our fingertips

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21764755/

Adult Changes in Thought study: dementia is an individually varying convergent syndrome with prevalent clinically silent diseases that may be modified by some commonly used therapeutics

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22471861/

Dietary cholesterol or egg consumption do not increase the risk of stroke, Finnish study finds

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190520093448.htm

Multimodal strategy to rescue the brain in mild cognitive impairment: Ketogenic oral nutrition supplementation with B vitamins and aerobic exercise

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9541319/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Fell Out of Ketosis? Here’s How to Get Back Fast

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:25:00 -0400

In this second video of our Bounce Back Series, Dr. Georgia Ede shares practical, compassionate guidance for returning to ketosis using simple, effective strategies rooted in diet and lifestyle.

Rather than approaching setbacks with frustration or perfectionism, Dr. Ede emphasizes a mindset of curiosity and learning. Falling out of ketosis will happen and it’s not a failure. With the right tools, you can use that information to refine what works best for your body.

In this video, you’ll learn:

Why “ketosis interruptions” are normal and part of the process
How mindset plays a critical role in long-term success
Simple strategies to return to ketosis quickly, including fasting and exercise
How food choices can support appetite regulation and metabolic stability
The role of supplements like exogenous ketones and their limitations
Why personalization is key to sustainable metabolic health

Dr. Ede also explains the underlying physiology of ketosis: how insulin, glucose, and stored glycogen influence your body’s ability to shift back into fat-burning mode.

The key takeaway: consistency matters, but perfection isn’t required. With the right approach, you can recover quickly, learn from the experience, and continue moving forward.

💡Learn more about navigating setbacks on the mental health journey in our blog: How to Bounce Back from Challenges and Setbacks.

Check out part 1 of this series: https://youtu.be/C4KCNIO31tM

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicPsychiatry

Expert Featured:

Dr. Georgia Ede

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Red Meat vs Plants: The Science Behind the Headlines

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:55:00 -0400

If you only read the headlines, it sounds simple: plants are protective, red meat is harmful. But when you examine the actual studies behind those claims, the conclusions aren’t nearly so clear.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher takes a closer look at two recently published papers, one linking red meat consumption to diabetes risk and another suggesting vegetarian diets reduce cancer risk. Both studies rely on observational nutrition data, which can reveal associations but cannot prove cause and effect.

In this video, you'll learn:

Why many nutrition headlines oversimplify complex research
The difference between observational studies and causal evidence
How healthy user bias and lifestyle confounding can distort results
Why hazard ratios in nutrition studies are often too small to draw meaningful conclusions
How media coverage and expert commentary can reinforce existing dietary narratives

Dr. Scher explains why these studies may say more about overall lifestyle patterns like calorie intake, diet quality, alcohol use, and smoking, than about individual foods like red meat or plant-based diets.

The bigger takeaway: nutrition science is nuanced, and the best diet for metabolic health may vary from person to person. Instead of focusing on simplistic narratives like “meat bad, plants good,” we should focus on improving overall dietary quality and metabolic health.

💡If you’re looking for deeper, more nuanced discussions about nutrition, metabolic health, and mental health, explore our resources at metabolicmind.org.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

Vegetarian diets and cancer risk: pooled analysis of 1.8 million women and men in nine prospective studies on three continents

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-025-03327-4

Association between red meat intake and diabetes: a cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample of US adults (NHANES 2003-2016)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41667215/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Depression and Metabolism: What This New Study Reveals

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:32:00 -0400

In this special episode of Metabolic Mind, Dr. Julie Milder, Director of Neuroscience at Baszucki Group, speaks with Dr. Fabiano Gomes, psychiatrist and researcher at McMaster University, and the inaugural recipient of the Baszucki Group Metabolic Psychiatry Scholar Award.

Dr. Gomes recently published a pilot feasibility trial of a ketogenic diet for depression in the Journal of Affective Disorders. In this conversation, he shares how the study came together, what the results revealed, and why metabolic approaches may offer new hope for people struggling with treatment-resistant depression.

In this episode, they discuss:

The pilot ketogenic diet trial for depression and its key findings
How the study successfully transitioned to a fully remote clinical trial during COVID
What the results suggest about feasibility, adherence, and clinical improvements
The role of nutritional ketosis in mood disorders and metabolic psychiatry
Dr. Gomes’ vision for launching a Metabolic Psychiatry Clinic in Canada
Plans to integrate biomarkers, brain imaging, and real-world clinical care
The importance of training clinicians and dietitians to expand access to metabolic therapies

Dr. Gomes’s work represents an exciting step forward in the growing field of metabolic psychiatry, which explores how metabolism and brain energy may influence conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health disorders.

The conversation also highlights the importance of building clinical infrastructure and training programs to make metabolic therapies more accessible to patients today.

💡Learn more about the growing research on metabolic psychiatry and depression on our Depression Topic Page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/

👍 If you found this discussion helpful, please like and subscribe for more conversations about metabolic health and mental health.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Depression

Expert Featured:

Dr. Julie Milder

Dr. Fabiano Gomes

Resources Mentioned:

https://canbind.ca/

Medically supervised ketogenic diet as an adjunctive treatment for moderate to severe depression: A pilot study

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.121079

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Bounce Back Stronger: Dr. Matt Bernstein on Mental Health Setbacks

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:45:00 -0400

Setbacks are a natural part of any journey, and mental health recovery is no exception. In this video, Dr. Matt Bernstein shares a powerful perspective on why downturns aren’t failures, but opportunities to learn, adapt, and build resilience.

Rather than viewing setbacks as something to fear or avoid, Dr. Bernstein explains how adopting a growth mindset can transform the way we respond to challenges. With the right preparation and support, moments of struggle can become key turning points in long-term recovery.

In this video, you’ll learn:

Why setbacks are normal in any recovery journey
How to reframe “failures” as opportunities for growth
The importance of identifying early warning signs
How to build a personal plan for navigating downturns
Why support systems and connection are critical during difficult times
How tools like mindfulness and structured planning can help you regain momentum

Dr. Bernstein also discusses practical strategies like creating a Wellness Recovery Action Plan, leveraging your support network, and even planning ahead for more serious crises with tools like a healthcare proxy.

If you’re navigating mental health challenges or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers practical tools and a more compassionate framework for the journey.

💡Learn more about navigating setbacks on the mental health journey in our detailed article: How to Bounce Back from Challenges and Setbacks.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicPsychiatry

Expert Featured:

Dr. Matt Bernstein

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

New York Times: Can a Keto Diet Really Improve Mental Health?

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:05:00 -0400

Can a ketogenic diet improve mental health?

This week marks a significant moment for metabolic psychiatry and ketogenic therapy for serious mental illness.

A New York Times piece highlighted early research from Stanford University, The Ohio State University, and the University of Edinburgh—alongside stories from individuals who have shared their lived experience here on Metabolic Mind.

This kind of visibility matters. It reflects years of work by researchers and clinicians like Drs. Chris Palmer, Shebani Sethi, and Iain Campbell, research funded by Baszucki Group, advocates like Jan Baszucki, as well as the many people who have been willing to share their personal stories.

Lived experience alone isn’t enough. Early data alone isn’t enough. But together, they point to something that must be tested, confirmed — or challenged — through high-quality science. That’s why we are excited about several RCTs currently completed or underway around the world.

We need to continue efforts to advance education, public awareness and research on a scale that will require public funding. That’s how medicine moves forward. And that’s the exciting work ahead.

📰 Read the full article here: https://nyti.ms/4sj2WZD

Hear more from our founder Jan Baszucki, calling for further investments in research and clinical care, and sharing her family’s story highlighting how after a decade of illness, ketogenic therapy sent her son's bipolar I disorder symptoms into remission and has kept him there since 2021.

🔗 Read Jan’s op-ed: https://bit.ly/4dpkU7Z

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

NYT Article: Can the Keto Diet Really Improve Mental Health?

https://nyti.ms/4sj2WZD

Foundational Clinical Trials Page

https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/science/clinical-trials/

Maya Schumer’s THINK+SMART Profile:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/thinksmart/explore-strategies/maya-schumer/

Lewis Anstee’s THINK+SMART Profile:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/thinksmart/explore-strategies/lewis-anstee/

Lived Experience Stories & Strategies

https://www.metabolicmind.org/thinksmart/explore-strategies/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

DIME Trial: New study finds a ketogenic diet may help some with severe depression

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:48:00 -0400

Can the ketogenic diet help improve symptoms for individuals living with treatment-resistant depression?

In this conversation, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Megan Kirk Chang, a senior researcher in metabolic psychiatry at the University of Oxford and a co-author of the recently published DIME trial.

This study represents the first randomized clinical trial to evaluate a ketogenic diet in adults with treatment-resistant depression.

Participants were assigned to either a ketogenic diet or a plant-rich comparison diet for six weeks to assess whether dietary intervention could influence depressive symptoms. Both groups experienced meaningful improvements in depression scores, with the ketogenic diet slightly outperforming the control group at 6 weeks.

While the difference between groups did not reach the threshold for statistical significance, the findings suggest a positive signal that warrants further investigation.

In this interview, Dr. Kirk Chang reflects on:

The strengths of the study and where she sees opportunity for improvement.
What the modest difference between diets might mean
Why early pilot trials are designed to detect signals rather than definitive answers
What the study revealed about adherence, cravings, and behavioral factors
How these results will inform larger and longer clinical trials now being planned

As Dr. Kirk Chang explains, this six-week pilot trial was designed as proof-of-concept research to determine whether there is enough signal to justify larger studies in metabolic psychiatry.

At Metabolic Mind, we view studies like this as an important step in a growing scientific effort to understand how metabolism and nutrition may influence serious mental illness. Each new study contributes to the evolving evidence base that will help researchers determine who may benefit, why, and under what conditions.

🔗 To learn more about the available evidence for ketogenic therapy in depression and our top resources, visit our Depression Topic Page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Megan Kirk Chang, PhD

Senior Researcher, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford
https://x.com/DrMegKirkChang
https://www.linkedin.com/in/megankirkchang/

Resources Mentioned:

A Ketogenic Diet for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial

https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.4431

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

The Truth About Saturated Fat: What New Meta-Analysis Actually Found

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:30:00 -0400

A new meta-analysis just dropped, and once again, saturated fat takes center stage. But does the data actually support the decades-long warnings we've heard about saturated fat and heart disease? Not exactly.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher dives deep into a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that reviewed randomized controlled trials on saturated fat intake and health outcomes.

Despite the headlines and abstract language hinting at risk, a closer look at the data reveals no statistically significant increase in heart attacks, strokes, or early death, even with modest increases in LDL.

So why the disconnect between what the data shows and what the authors claim? Dr. Scher breaks it down and explores the nuances often missing from the conversation about saturated fat, including context like food quality, carbohydrate intake, metabolic health, and lifestyle factors that make a big difference.

🔍 Key Topics Covered:

What this new meta-analysis actually found (vs. what it claimed)
The persistent bias in nutrition science and reporting
Why LDL isn’t the whole story
How dietary context, like carbs, processing, and lifestyle, matters more than saturated fat alone
Why focusing on whole dietary patterns is essential for metabolic health

Dr. Scher says it best, “If the medical and dietetic institutions are so certain that saturated fat is harmful, why are there so many studies that fail to reach meaningful conclusions?”

To learn more about ketogenic therapy and heart disease, check out our Is Keto Safe Topic Page for more content from cardiologist Dr. Bret Scher breaking down keto, dietary fat, saturated fat, LDL, and more.

https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/is-keto-safe/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

Effect of Interventions Aimed at Reducing or Modifying Saturated Fat Intake on Cholesterol, Mortality, and Major Cardiovascular Events: A Risk Stratified Systematic Review of Randomized Trials

https://doi.org/10.7326/ANNALS-25-02229

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

What the Ketone Heart Risk Headlines Got Wrong

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:20:00 -0400

You may have seen headlines or social media posts claiming that ketones increase the risk of heart attacks and that this proves ketogenic diets are dangerous for heart health. But when you actually examine the study behind those claims, the data tell a very different story.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher takes a closer look at a recent paper published in the Journal of the American Heart Association that analyzed circulating ketone levels in participants from the UK Biobank. The study has been widely shared online as evidence against ketogenic diets. The issue? The participants weren’t following a ketogenic diet at all.

Instead, researchers measured very small baseline ketone levels in a general population that was consuming around 250 grams of carbohydrates per day, that’s far from the levels associated with nutritional ketosis.

In this video, you’ll learn:

Why this study was not a ketogenic diet study
The difference between association and causation in epidemiology
Why the measured ketone levels were far below nutritional ketosis
How metabolic stress, illness, or diabetes can raise ketone levels independently of diet
Why these findings don’t tell us anything about ketogenic diets

Understanding the context behind nutrition research is critical. Misinterpreting observational data can easily lead to misleading headlines and unnecessary confusion about diet and health.

💡If you want to learn more about the science behind ketogenic metabolic therapy, visit metabolicmind.org for research, resources, and expert insights.

👍 If you found this helpful, like and subscribe for more evidence-based discussions about metabolic health and mental health.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

Circulating Ketone Bodies and Incident Cardiovascular Outcomes and Mortality: Insights From the UK Biobank

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.125.042582

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

The Hidden Metabolic Cause of Fatty Liver Disease

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:25:00 -0400

Can you reverse fatty liver disease with a ketogenic diet?

Fatty liver disease is now one of the fastest-growing liver conditions in the world, affecting roughly 30% of adults and an increasing number of children. And in many cases, it’s driven by metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance.

In this conversation, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Amy Goss (University of Alabama at Birmingham) and Dr. Karen Jerome-Zapadka (Trajectory Health Partners) about the growing epidemic of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and why carbohydrate restriction and ketogenic nutrition may be powerful tools for addressing it.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

What MASLD (formerly NAFLD) is and why it’s becoming so common
How insulin resistance and excess carbohydrates contribute to fatty liver
New research showing how carbohydrate restriction can reduce liver fat
Why ketogenic and low-carb diets may improve liver metabolism beyond weight loss
The clinical experience of reversing fatty liver through metabolic therapy
Why lifestyle approaches often receive less attention than medications

Dr. Amy Goss and her team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are currently conducting a large NIH-funded clinical trial investigating how carbohydrate restriction affects liver fat and insulin sensitivity in adolescents with fatty liver disease.

At the same time, Dr. Karen Jerome-Zapadka is applying these metabolic principles in clinical practice at Trajectory Health Partners, helping patients reverse steatotic liver disease through carbohydrate reduction and comprehensive metabolic care. Together, their research and real-world clinical experience are helping advance a deeper understanding of how targeting metabolic dysfunction may transform the way fatty liver disease is treated.

Curious about the safety of ketogenic therapy? Visit our Is Keto Safe topic page to see all of our top content on the topic: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/is-keto-safe/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MASLD #FattyLiver

Expert Featured:

Dr. Amy Miskimon Goss

Dr. Karen Jerome-Zapadka

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Low-Carb Diets Improve Metabolic Health But Should We Be Worried About LDL?

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:15:00 -0400

A new meta-analysis of 174 randomized controlled trials on “carbohydrate-restricted diets” found consistent benefits for body composition, blood pressure, inflammation, and more. But instead of highlighting the metabolic benefits, most of the headlines focused almost entirely on a small bump in LDL.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down why that reaction misses the point and how biases in nutrition reporting are holding back real progress in improving metabolic health.

📌In this video, you’ll learn:

How the authors classified “carbohydrate-restricted diets”
The many health benefits associated with restricting carbohydrates
What impact low carbohydrate diets had on LDL levels
Whether or not we should sound the alarm on LDL increases
The double standard in how we talk about diet vs. diabetes drugs that may produce increases in LDL
What matters more than LDL alone when assessing metabolic risk

Whether you're a patient or a practitioner, it’s essential to look beyond sensational headlines and focus on the full body of evidence, especially when it comes to nutrition and cardiovascular risk. Clear and balanced conversations are more important than ever if we want to turn the tide on metabolic disease.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind to stay up-to-date on the latest in metabolic psychiatry, low-carb nutrition, and brain health: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicDisease

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

Effects of carbohydrate-restricted diets and macronutrient replacements on cardiovascular health and body composition in adults: a meta-analysis of randomized trials

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.09.012

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Who Should NOT Try the Ketogenic Diet? (Important Safety Guide)

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:15:00 -0400

Are there real contraindications to a ketogenic diet? Yes, but they’re far rarer than many people think. So who shouldn’t do keto?

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the difference between absolute and relative contraindications to ketogenic therapy. While rare inborn metabolic disorders and certain acute illnesses are true absolute contraindications, most commonly cited concerns, including type 1 or type 2 diabetes, heart disease, serious mental illness, high cholesterol, and even pregnancy are listed as relative contraindications, which really means, “use caution and work with an experienced clinician.”

Watch to learn who should avoid ketogenic therapy, who may benefit, and why clinical guidance makes all the difference.

👉To learn more about the safety and efficacy of ketogenic therapy, check out our “Is Keto Safe?” topic page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/is-keto-safe/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

Clinician Directories

https://www.metabolicmind.org/peers-families/get-help/

Can a Keto Diet Cause Hypomania, and How Can It Be Avoided?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F11ZBvCjVNk

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

How Experts Recommend Using Ketogenic Therapy In Psychiatry (New Consensus)

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:20:00 -0400

Ketogenic therapy for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression is gaining attention, but how can it be safely implemented into clinical practice?

A newly published expert consensus provides practical recommendations to help clinicians thoughtfully apply ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) for serious mental illnesses.

In this in-depth conversation, Dr. Matt Bernstein and Dr. Georgia Ede, both members of the expert committee, discuss how this Delphi consensus was developed, what it includes, and how it can be responsibly integrated into psychiatric practice.

In this interview, they discuss:

What a Delphi process is and why it was used
The results of the Delphi process (33 consensus statements and 10 clinical recommendations)
Who may be appropriate candidates for KMT
Absolute and relative contraindications
Recommended laboratory screening and monitoring
How long a trial should last before assessing efficacy
How clinicians can personalize implementation safely

Importantly, the authors emphasize that ketogenic metabolic therapy is not a replacement for standard psychiatric treatment. Rather, it may be considered alongside first-line therapies, particularly for individuals who have not responded adequately, cannot tolerate medications, or are seeking additional options.

Reflecting on the value of this work, Dr. Bernstein shares:

“I would have loved to have read this six years ago when I was starting to think about implementing these types of practices. It would have given me confidence to charge forward… I probably would have been further along now than I am.”

With randomized controlled trials ongoing and more research expected in the coming years, this consensus provides a thoughtful, experience-informed framework for clinicians who are seeing growing interest in metabolic approaches.

If you are a clinician, we encourage you to read the full publication.

If you are a patient or family member, consider sharing this interview and the paper with your care team to support an informed discussion about whether metabolic strategies may be appropriate in your individual case.

As always, clinical decisions should be made in partnership with qualified healthcare professionals.

📚 Read the Paper: Published in Frontiers in Nutrition: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1749406

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Georgia Ede

Harvard-Trained Psychiatrist
https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/

Dr. Matthew Bernstein

CEO of Accord: https://accordmh.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bernstein-5743338/

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

Awareness and Best Practices in using Ketogenic Therapy to Treat Serious Mental Illness: A Modified Delphi Consensus

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1749406

Ketogenic Diets for Mental Health Clinician Training Course

https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/training

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Ketogenic Therapy in Psychiatry: What the Experts Agree On

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:16:00 -0400

How can doctors, psychiatrists, and other health practitioners implement keto for serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression?

In this short interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Georgia Ede to discuss a newly published Delphi consensus paper in Frontiers in Nutrition, authored by eight experienced clinicians and researchers to establish best practices for the use of ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) in serious mental illnesses.

Using a structured expert consensus process, the group created 33 statements clarifying things like:

What ketogenic metabolic therapy is
Who may be appropriate candidates?
Safety considerations and medical screening
Monitoring standards and clinical implementation
How KMT can be integrated alongside standard psychiatric care

These statements were then brought to a larger group of experienced clinicians to assess broader consensus, which resulted in all 33 statements reaching the consensus threshold.

This paper is not a set of formal treatment guidelines. Instead, they represent an important first step in delivering practical, experience-informed guidance for clinicians who are seeing growing patient interest in metabolic approaches to serious mental illness

As research continues to evolve, this consensus provides a thoughtful framework for psychiatrists, primary care clinicians, therapists, dietitians, and multidisciplinary teams who wish to incorporate ketogenic metabolic therapy into individualized treatment plans.

If you are a clinician interested in learning more about metabolic approaches in psychiatry, we encourage you to explore the full publication.

If you are a patient or family member, consider sharing this paper with your care team to start an informed discussion about whether metabolic strategies may be appropriate in your individual case.

With the clinical evidence still accumulating and randomized controlled trials ongoing, we expect this clinical guidance to continue to evolve as more data and real word experience becomes available.

📚 Read the Paper: Published in Frontiers in Nutrition: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1749406

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicPsychiatry

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Georgia Ede

Harvard-Trained Psychiatrist
https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

Awareness and Best Practices in using Ketogenic Therapy to Treat Serious Mental Illness: A Modified Delphi Consensus

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1749406

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

The Metabolic Fix for PCOS & Infertility

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:56:00 -0400

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of infertility in women, but what if the real issue isn’t the ovaries?

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Steven Palter, reproductive endocrinologist and founder of Gold Coast IVF, about the powerful connection between PCOS, metabolic health, mental health, and fertility.

For decades, PCOS has been treated symptom-by-symptom: birth control for irregular cycles, fertility drugs for ovulation, IVF for infertility. But Dr. Palter explains why this approach often misses the root cause: insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction.

When you address the metabolic driver, everything can change.

Ketogenic and low-carbohydrate dietary approaches are showing promise in improving insulin sensitivity, restoring ovulation, improving mood, and even supporting fertility, often before significant weight loss occurs. In many cases, women who were preparing for IVF are conceiving naturally after correcting their metabolic health.

In this video, you’ll learn:

Why PCOS is best understood as a metabolic disorder
How insulin resistance drives infertility, mood changes, and long-term health risks
Why traditional “eat less, move more” advice often fails
How ketogenic therapy may restore ovulation and improve fertility
The connection between PCOS, depression, and binge eating
Why GLP-1 medications aren’t the same as metabolic repair

If you or someone you know is struggling with PCOS, infertility, or unexplained hormonal symptoms, this episode offers a hopeful and science-based perspective on what’s possible when metabolic health becomes the priority.

As always, consult your healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.

💡Learn more about the safety and efficacy of ketogenic therapy on our “Is Keto Safe?” topic page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/is-keto-safe/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #PCOS #InsulinResistance

Expert Featured:

Dr. Steven Palter

Resources Mentioned:

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

What the Science Really Says About Ketogenic Diets and Heart Health

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:26:00 -0400

February is Heart Health Month, making it the perfect time to challenge common misconceptions about diet and cardiovascular health.

One claim that always resurfaces? That ketogenic diets are bad for your heart. But when you take a closer look at the science, that assumption simply doesn’t hold up.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the real evidence behind ketogenic diets and cardiovascular risk, addressing:

✅ How many “keto” studies don’t actually study true ketogenic diets

✅ The truth about LDL cholesterol on keto (it doesn’t go up for everyone!)

✅ Why triglycerides, HDL, insulin, and inflammation may matter more than LDL

✅ How keto compares to DASH for blood pressure and metabolic health

✅ Why saturated fat from real food behaves differently in the body

✅ The critical difference between ultra-processed high-fat/high-carb diets and low-carb, whole-food ketogenic diets

💡 Using the most up-to-date clinical evidence, Dr. Scher explains why ketosis can be a heart-supportive strategy, especially for those with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, insulin resistance, or poor metabolic health.

If you’re interested in learning more about the safety of ketogenic therapy, check out our “Is Keto Safe” topic page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/is-keto-safe/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #HeartHealth

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

RFK Jr. Sparks Debate: Can Keto Help Serious Mental Illness?

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:05:00 -0400

Is there evidence that the ketogenic diet can cure schizophrenia?

Recent comments from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparked headlines…and controversy. While “cure” isn’t the right word, the conversation has brought much-needed attention to an emerging field: metabolic psychiatry.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down what the science actually shows about ketogenic metabolic therapy as a potential adjunctive treatment for serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.

You’ll learn about:

What nutritional ketosis is and why brain energy matters for serious mental illness
How psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder involve underlying metabolic dysfunction
Early evidence on ketogenic therapy for serious mental illness from Stanford, Edinburgh, and The Ohio State University
How consistent lived experiences aligned with emerging clinical data warrant serious scientific exploration
What new research is on the way

Ketogenic therapy is emerging as a serious metabolic strategy that may expand how we think about treating complex psychiatric conditions. We are now faced with the opportunity to study it rigorously, apply it thoughtfully, and ensure patients have access to every tool that could help.

💡Learn more about the ongoing research in metabolic psychology on our Clinical Trials page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/science/clinical-trials/

🏛Check out our condition specific topic pages to see our best resources on keto for serious mental illnesses:

Keto for Schizophrenia: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/schizophrenia/
Keto for Bipolar Disorder: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/bipolar/
Keto for Depression: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Schizophrenia

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher
Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

A pilot study examining a ketogenic diet as an adjunct therapy in college students with major depressive disorder

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03544-8

Ketogenic Diet Intervention on Metabolic and Psychiatric Health in Bipolar and Schizophrenia: A Pilot Trial

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115866

A pilot study of a ketogenic diet in bipolar disorder: clinical, metabolic and magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings

https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2024.841

https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/science/clinical-trials/

https://www.metabolicmind.org/thinksmart/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Ketogenic Therapy for PTSD? New Research Underway

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:37:00 -0400

In this powerful interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Robin Engelhardt, a German researcher and PhD in psychology, who is launching a pilot study investigating ketogenic metabolic therapy as a treatment for PTSD and complex PTSD.

Using his own personal experience of healing from PTSD through nutritional ketosis, Dr. Engelhardt is now launching a pilot study to explore whether this approach can help others. His pilot study will test feasibility, safety, and symptom response, paving the way for future randomized controlled trials.

📘 What you’ll learn in this video:

Why Dr. Engelhardt turned to a ketogenic diet for his PTSD
What existing (though limited) research says about keto and trauma
The mechanisms that might explain why ketosis could benefit PTSD (e.g., improved brain energy, reduced inflammation)
How this new feasibility study is structured, and what researchers hope to uncover
The real-life challenges of implementing therapeutic ketosis for brain health

This conversation is a rare look at the intersection of personal healing and scientific discovery, and a glimpse into the future of trauma treatment through metabolic approaches. Whether you're a clinician, researcher, or someone impacted by PTSD, this is an interview you won’t want to miss.

👉 For more information on metabolic psychiatry and PTSD, check out our blog: Hope for PTSD: The Potential of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapies

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #MetabolicPsychiatry #PTSD #KetogenicTherapy

Expert Featured:

Robin Engelhardt

To learn more about the study, contact Dr. Engelhardt’s team at keto@unibw.de

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Saturated Fat & the Dietary Guidelines: A Cardiologist Weighs In

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:21:00 -0400

Saturated fat is back in the headlines, and so is the confusion.

The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans just dropped, and while there’s clear progress (more support for animal-based protein, low-carb options, and reduced sugar), they’ve kept the 10% cap on saturated fat. But does the science still support that limit, and does it make sense with the rest of the recommendations?

In this episode, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the real story on saturated fat: where the guidelines get it right, where they fall short, and why context is everything when it comes to fat, food, and metabolic health.

He covers:

✅ The 5 main types of evidence on saturated fat

✅ Why source and dietary context matter more than grams

✅ What randomized trials, ketogenic studies & LDL data really show

✅ The problem with lumping steak and pizza into one category

✅ Why blanket limits may harm people trying to improve their metabolic health

The saturated fat debate isn’t just about grams, it’s about individual metabolic health. When we zoom out and look at the full picture, it becomes clear that not all saturated fat is created equal. Understanding where it comes from and how it fits into an overall dietary pattern is key to moving the conversation forward.

👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more conversations, research, and updates on metabolic health and metabolic psychiatry.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #SaturatedFat

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Healing Beyond Psychiatry: A Mother’s Story of Bipolar Disorder and Recovery

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:13:00 -0400

In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, Metabolic Mind founder Jan Ellison Baszucki joins mental health advocate Laura Delano to share a mother’s journey through her son’s bipolar disorder diagnosis, years of psychiatric crisis, and ultimately, hope.

After five years, 29 medications, multiple hospitalizations, and a system that offered few lasting solutions, Jan’s son Matt found real and sustained stability through metabolic therapies, including a therapeutic ketogenic diet.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• What it’s like to navigate the mental health system as a parent

• How conventional care fell short, and what was missing

• Why Jan calls metabolic psychiatry “energetic medicine for the mind”

• How diet, sleep, light, and lifestyle can transform mental health

• A powerful message for other families searching for answers

This experience didn’t just transform Jan’s family; it sparked a mission. Jan and her family founded Metabolic Mind to raise awareness about the therapeutic potential of metabolic interventions for serious mental illness. Today, Metabolic Mind is helping to bridge the gap between psychiatry and metabolic health by supporting research, educating clinicians and families, and empowering those still searching for answers.

💡Learn more at metabolicmind.org

👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more interviews, research, and updates in the field of metabolic psychiatry.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #BipolarDisorder

Expert Featured:

Jan Ellison Baszucki

President of Baszucki Group and founder of Metabolic Mind
https://x.com/janellison
https://www.instagram.com/jan_ellison_baszucki/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/janellisonbaszucki/

Laura Delano

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

A New Hope for Depression: The Power of Ketogenic Therapy

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:53:00 -0400

Can a ketogenic diet help with depression when other options have failed? Emerging suggests the answer may be yes.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher shares the latest clinical data on ketogenic therapy for depression, including two new studies showing meaningful improvements, even remission, in people with moderate to severe symptoms. For individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression, these findings offer real hope and open the door to a new therapeutic pathway: metabolic interventions that target brain energy.

In this video, you’ll learn:

How ketosis may support brain function and mental health
What two new pilot studies reveal about keto for depression and anhedonia
How researchers are beginning to rethink the metabolic roots of mood disorders

🔍 Explore more and dive into the research on our Depression Topic Page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/

👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more interviews, research, and updates in the field of metabolic psychiatry.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Depression #MetabolicPsychiatry

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

A pilot study examining a ketogenic diet as an adjunct therapy in college students with major depressive disorder

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03544-8

Medically supervised ketogenic diet as an adjunctive treatment for moderate to severe depression: A pilot study

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.121079

Keto For College Depression Blog

https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/library/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/new-research-a-ketogenic-diet-improved-depression-in-college-students/

Depression Topic Page

https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/

THINK+SMART Page

https://www.metabolicmind.org/thinksmart/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Remote Keto Therapy for Depression? Results from New Clinical Evidence

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:22:00 -0400

The second-ever pilot trial (published in the Journal of Affective Disorders) is making waves: a virtual medically supervised ketogenic diet showed impressive improvements in people with moderate to severe depression, including nearly 7 out of 8 study completers achieving clinical remission.

In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with lead researcher Dr. Elisa Brietzke, Professor of Psychiatry at Queen’s University, to explore the inspiration, execution, and implications of this study.

What began as a bold idea, that metabolic dysfunction plays a role in depression, evolved into a fully remote clinical intervention. Despite skepticism and challenges, the results were clear: ketogenic therapy can be safely and effectively implemented in a remote outpatient setting. Participants who completed the study experienced improvements in depression, anxiety, and anhedonia (the loss of pleasure).

In this conversation, Dr. Brietzke shares:

Why she turned to metabolic therapy for mental health
How the team pulled off a fully remote ketogenic trial during the pandemic
The science behind how inflammation, insulin resistance, and brain energy affect mood
Why traditional antidepressants often fail to address anhedonia
What’s next for research, and how this could shape depression treatment guidelines

👉 If you or someone you know is struggling with treatment-resistant depression, learn more about metabolic therapies on our Depression Topic Page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #Depression #Anhedonia

Expert Featured:

Dr. Elisa Brietzke

Resources Mentioned:

Medically supervised ketogenic diet as an adjunctive treatment for moderate to severe depression: A pilot study

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.121079

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Breaking Down the 2025 Dietary Guidelines with Dr. David Ludwig & Gary Taubes

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 13:08:00 -0400

The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans have arrived, and they’re sparking serious debate. Are we finally seeing a meaningful shift toward metabolic health? What do the guidelines get right, and where is there still room for improvement?

To unpack it all, Dr. Bret Scher is joined by two long-time voices in nutrition science: Dr. David Ludwig and Gary Taubes. Together, they dig into what the new guidelines get right, what they overlook, and what this all means for public health, clinical practice, and the food industry.

They explore:

The shifting stance on animal protein, and the controversy it’s stirred
A long-overdue move away from refined carbohydrates
Why the term “ultra-processed food” was intentionally left out
The important nod to low-carb diets for chronic disease
How school lunches and government food programs may (or may not) change
The tension between dietary health and environmental goals
Why robust clinical trials, not just policy documents, are urgently needed

This lively discussion blends agreement, disagreement, and deep insights into what these guidelines mean, not just on paper, but in real life. Whether you're a clinician, policymaker, parent, or just trying to eat healthier, this episode will help you rethink the “official” nutrition narrative.

👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more conversations covering metabolic health, nutrition, food as medicine, and more.

#MetabolicMind #FoodAsMedicine #DietaryGuidelines

👉Do you have a question about ketogenic therapy or metabolic psychiatry? Submit your question to our team here: metabolicmind.org/questions

Expert Featured:

Gary Taubes

Dr. David Ludwig

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Q&A: Keto & Heart Risk, Liver & Kidney Safety, Keto Snacks, Supplements & More

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:26:00 -0400

Can a ketogenic diet affect cardiovascular risk? Do nuts belong in a low-carb diet? What about ice cream, supplements, and electrolytes?

In this episode of Metabolic Mailbag, Dr. Bret Scher tackles some of the most common and misunderstood questions about ketogenic therapy for metabolic and mental health. From concerns about LDL cholesterol to fears of liver and kidney damage, this conversation cuts through the noise with nuance, evidence, and practical guidance.

This episode covers:

LDL cholesterol spikes on a ketogenic diet: what’s normal, what’s not, and how to think beyond one lab number
Statins vs. individualized risk assessment (imaging, metabolic markers, trends over time)
How nuts fit into a ketogenic diet and when they become a problem
Ketogenic diets and liver/kidney health: what human data actually shows
“Good keto” vs. “bad keto” and the role of whole foods
Supplements, electrolytes, and when they’re truly needed
Snacking, sweeteners, keto desserts, and staying in ketosis

Whether you’re just starting a ketogenic diet or fine-tuning it for long-term metabolic or mental health, this episode offers clarity where confusion is common. By unpacking real-world questions with a clinical lens, Dr. Scher empowers you to think critically, personalize your approach, and make decisions rooted in human evidence—not fear or headlines.

Do you have more questions? Check out our other Mailbag Q&A episodes with Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede:

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicPsychiatry #QA

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher
https://x.com/bschermd
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/

Resources Mentioned:

Understanding the Well-Formulated Ketogenic Diet

https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/library/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/well-formulated-ketogenic-diet/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

NEW Research Challenges Everything We Know About Carbs & Exercise

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:30:00 -0400

Is carb-loading really the key to endurance and performance? A groundbreaking 100-page publication led by Dr. Andrew Koutnik says it’s time to question the dogma.

For decades, athletes have been told that more carbs mean better performance. Strategies like carb-loading before and using sugary gels during exercise have become staples of endurance performance.

But recent research has unveiled a shocking truth. Many athletes, even those who look healthy on the outside, are showing glucose levels consistent with prediabetes on the inside.

In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Andrew Koutnik unpack the new landmark publication that challenges outdated sports nutrition guidelines and reveals another approach to fueling human performance.

📌 What you’ll learn:

How carb-loading is increasing the risk of prediabetes in fit, lean, athletes
How glycogen and carbohydrate intake have been mistaken as the primary predictors of performance
Why maintaining stable blood glucose is the real key to performance
A new model for fueling that prioritizes brain energy and metabolic health

This conversation is for athletes at every level, from elite competitors to everyday movers, and for anyone curious about how metabolism shapes performance, resilience, and long-term health.

👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind to stay up-to-date on the latest in metabolic health, ketogenic therapy, and mental wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

📨 Sign up for the Metabolic Mind Newsletter for the latest research, science, and tools for metabolic therapy at https://www.metabolicmind.org/about-us/newsletter/

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #SportsNutrition

Expert Featured:

Dr. Andrew Koutnik

Resources Mentioned:

Carbohydrate Ingestion on Exercise Metabolism and Physical Performance

https://doi.org/10.1210/endrev/bnaf038

Coalition For Metabolic Health

coalitionformetabolichealth.org

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Q&A: Cholesterol, CRP, & Ketogenic Therapy — A Cardiologist Weighs In

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:39:00 -0400

In this special Metabolic Mailbag episode, cardiologist Dr. Bret Scher steps into the hot seat to answer your most pressing questions about ketogenic therapy, heart health, and metabolic markers. Drawing directly from listener questions, this conversation tackles the confusion and concern many people face when lab results change after starting a ketogenic diet.

📌 In this video, you’ll learn:

Why LDL may rise on a ketogenic diet and when that change is clinically meaningful
What cholesterol markers actually tell us about heart disease risk
How to think about hyper-responders and familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)
How to interpret CRP and other inflammation markers in context
Whether you really need to track ketones and affordable ways to do it
How often to test labs like LDL, CRP, and other key markers

There’s a lot of confusion around ketogenic diets, cholesterol markers, and heart disease risk. In this episode, Dr. Scher debunks some of the most common myths and offers a clearer, more nuanced understanding of how ketogenic therapy can impact, and often improve, metabolic and cardiovascular health.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Q&A #HeartHealth

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher
https://x.com/bschermd
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Inside Metabolic Collective: Fueling Change in Mental Health

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:40:00 -0400

The science of metabolic psychiatry is advancing, but the movement behind it is just getting started. In this episode, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Natasha Smikles and Eddie Rodriguez from Metabolic Collective, a new nonprofit working to build an international advocacy network for ketogenic and metabolic therapies.

Their goal: accelerate awareness, adoption, and support for metabolic interventions in mental health.

They cover:

The personal journeys that led Natasha and Eddie to metabolic therapy
Why lived experience is such a powerful driver of change
Why Metabolic Collective was created, and who it’s for
How Metabolic Collective is organizing community-led advocacy and education
What tools, resources, and events are available to help you get involved
How to support others, start a local group, or bring metabolic psychiatry into your community

Metabolic psychiatry is growing, and movements like this are helping close the gap between research and real-world impact. From mental health challenges to neurological disorders, the Metabolic Collective hopes to spread the word about metabolic therapies and empower patients with alternative options to standard of care.

👉Learn more about the Metabolic Collective at https://metaboliccollective.org. 👉Read the Metabolic Collective case for support at https://metaboliccollective.org/case-for-support/.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicPsychiatry

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

Experts Featured:

Natasha Smikles

Eddie Rodriguez

Resources Mentioned:

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Q&A: Caffeine, Carnivore, Meds, and Ketones—What’s Helping or Hurting Your Mental Health?

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:44:00 -0400

Is caffeine sabotaging your mental health progress? Should you try a carnivore diet if keto isn't working? What if your meds lower ketones?

In this new Metabolic Mailbag episode, Dr. Georgia Ede joins Dr. Bret Scher to answer your most pressing questions about metabolic therapies, mental health, and more.

Together, they dive into nuanced, evidence-informed conversations about:

The real impact of caffeine on mood, sleep, and ketosis
Whether the carnivore diet is “too high” in protein
Why some people see mental health improvements on carnivore when a ketogenic diet hasn’t worked
What to do when medications interfere with ketone levels, and why deprescription must be done safely and strategically
And more

Metabolic psychiatry is a promising frontier, and we’re here to empower individuals navigating serious mental illness with tools and knowledge rooted in science, compassion, and real-world experience.

🔎Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

🔔 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind and join the growing community exploring metabolic therapies for mental health: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #QuestionAndAnswer

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Dr. Georgia Ede

Resources Mentioned:

Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind by Dr. Georgia Ede

https://www.amazon.com/Change-Your-Diet-Mind-Powerful/dp/1538739070

Taper Down Slowly: A Beginners Guide to Psychiatric Drug Tapering (Part 1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVMvi-vU5E8

Go Slowly: A Beginners Guide to Psychiatric Drug Tapering (Part 2)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUdXDG8uKUY Keto and

Psych Meds Topic Page

https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-and-psych-meds/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Rethinking Serotonin And Depression: What SSRIs Really Do & What May Work Better

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:58:00 -0400

Do SSRIs help your brain?

SSRI medications are among the most widely prescribed antidepressants, but what if we’ve misunderstood how they work? In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with biochemist and nutrition scientist Dr. Chris Masterjohn to explore a deeper, more systemic view of mental health and how we treat it.

Dr. Masterjohn reveals why serotonin isn’t just a “mood booster,” how SSRIs may be disrupting mitochondrial function, and why focusing on lifestyle strategies that support brain energy metabolism could unlock new paths for treating depression.

🔍 What you’ll learn:

Chris’s personal journey from veganism to carnivore
The importance of testing for nutrient deficiencies
How mitochondria influence mood and cognition
Why SSRIs may disrupt brain energy metabolism
The truth about serotonin and morning sunlight
Why exercise & nutrition often outperform medication
What SSRIs really do (and what they don’t)

If you've ever questioned the serotonin theory of depression, or sensed there’s more to the story than what mainstream medicine tells us, this conversation fills in some of the missing pieces.

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more interviews, research, and updates in the field of metabolic psychiatry.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Chris Masterjohn

Resources Mentioned:

Substack: Prozac is a Performance Enhancing Drug

https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/prozac-is-a-performance-enhancing

Mitome: Mitochondrial Analysis

https://www.mito.me/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

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:

Q&A: Healthy Fats, Alcohol, Perimenopause, & More

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 13:27:00 -0400

Is carb-cycling okay on a ketogenic diet? What about high histamine foods?

In this episode of Metabolic Mailbag, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede answers questions on everything from the best sources of dietary fat to how to handle anxiety, perimenopause, and alcohol while maintaining ketosis.

They unpack how to build a nutrient-dense, brain-supportive ketogenic diet using whole foods, why “keto-friendly” processed products can sometimes derail progress, and when supplements might be beneficial. You’ll also learn why histamine sensitivity, caffeine, or cycling in and out of ketosis can affect mood, and how to troubleshoot each.

This conversation covers:

Why a whole food ketogenic diet can be ideal for mental health
How to identify the best fat sources and avoid “factory fats”
Ketogenic dieting for women’s health
Why anxiety can worsen mid-journey, and how to adapt
The truth about alcohol, carb cycling, and ketosis

If you’re exploring ketogenic therapy for mental or metabolic health, this episode offers practical, science-based guidance to help you refine and personalize your approach.

🔎 Have questions about ketogenic diets or how to apply ketogenic therapy effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

👉Stay up to date with the latest, news, insights, and research on metabolic psychiatry by subscribing to Metabolic Mind: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #QuestionAndAnswer

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Dr. Georgia Ede

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Bret Scher’s Carb Cycling Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5bUc7TbS6o
Dr Madison Kackley: Keto for Women https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ8aGNwGB9c

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

Could Stress Be The Hidden Driver of Mental Illness?

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:13:00 -0400

New research links chronic stress, brain energy, and psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder.

Stress doesn’t just impact your mood; it affects how your brain allocates energy. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Parker Kelly, a postdoctoral fellow at UCSF and the San Francisco VA, to unpack the Allostatic Triage Model of Psychopathology, a new framework proposing that psychiatric symptoms may emerge when the brain is forced to triage limited metabolic resources under chronic stress. Co-authored with mitochondrial researcher Dr. Martin Picard, this model could shift how we understand and treat mental illness.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

How stress drives brain energy dysfunction
Why mitochondria and metabolism may be central to mental illness
Which brain networks are impacted by energy deficits
The role of predictability and routine in stress resilience
How metabolic therapies like nutrition, sleep, and even psychedelics, may support brain energy regulation

This conversation bridges neuroscience, metabolism, and mental health, offering a unique and unifying lens on complex psychiatric conditions.

👉Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more conversations about metabolic health, metabolic psychiatry, and mental health: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Neuroscience

Expert Featured:

D. Parker Kelley

Resources Mentioned:

The allostatic triage model of psychopathology (ATP Model): How reallocation of brain energetic resources under stress elicits psychiatric symptoms

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106419

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

New Alzheimer’s Trial Reveals Surprising Insight on Brain Health

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:45:00 -0400

Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind popular GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, recently announced that its phase 3, two-year trial examining GLP-1 medications for Alzheimer's failed to produce a significant reduction in disease progression.

While these results are discouraging, they may have revealed something vital about Alzheimer’s treatment.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the recent failure of Novo Nordisk’s evoke and evoke+ trials and what it teaches us about the limitations of a drug-only approach to Alzheimer’s treatment.

Key topics covered:

Why GLP-1s may not be enough for Alzheimer’s
The link between glucose metabolism and brain energy failure
How ketones offer an alternative fuel for the brain
Early research on ketogenic therapy for cognitive impairment
Why nutritional interventions deserve more scientific attention

With Alzheimer’s affecting millions and costing billions, it’s time to shine a light on metabolic strategies that directly support brain energy, reduce inflammation, and improve cognitive function.

🧠 Explore our full playlist on ketogenic therapy for Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzWI83-NWCL4f7uVRIWUHCC2nF6t_5DLw

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Alzheimers

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Baszucki Group Medical Director
https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

Novo Nordisk A/S: Evoke phase 3 trials did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in Alzheimer's disease progression

https://www.novonordisk.com/content/nncorp/global/en/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=916462#

Associations of semaglutide with first-time diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in patients with type 2 diabetes: Target trial emulation using nationwide real-world data in the US

https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14313

Brain energy rescue with ketones improves cognitive outcomes in MCI

https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/alz.059627

Randomized crossover trial of a modified ketogenic diet in Alzheimer's disease

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33622392/

Ketogenic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments: History, rationale, and 288 caregiver case reports

https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/5316

Metabolic Mind Ketogenic Therapy for Dementia Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzWI83-NWCL4f7uVRIWUHCC2nF6t_5DLw

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

The Data Is In: Reversing Metabolic Disease Is Possible

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:30:00 -0400

What if your diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or fatty liver wasn’t a permanent sentence, but a condition that could improve or even reverse through targeted intervention?

In this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Adam Wolfberg, Chief Medical Officer at Virta Health, to explore groundbreaking data that challenges the conventional approach to managing chronic metabolic disease. They dive into Virta’s latest annual report, which highlights powerful clinical and economic outcomes that could reshape the future of medicine.

In this interview, you'll learn:

Why "reversal" is replacing "management" in the metabolic care conversation
How Virta’s data shows a 56% reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, or death
The role of carbohydrate-restricted and ketogenic nutrition in improving metabolic health
How patients across socioeconomic backgrounds, including those in food deserts, are seeing results
Where medications like GLP-1 fit into a lifestyle-first model
What this model means for healthcare costs, medication reduction, and long-term patient outcomes

Virta’s annual report highlights how a shift toward value-based care and personalized, nutrition-driven approaches can drastically improve patient outcomes.

Check it out here: https://www.virtahealth.com/reversal-report

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicHealth #FoodAsMedicine

Expert Featured:

Dr. Adam Wolfberg

Chief Medical Officer at Virta Health
www.Vitrahealth.com
LinkedIn.com/in/adamwolfberg

Resources Mentioned:

Virta’s 2025 Annual Report on Metabolic Disease Reversal

https://www.virtahealth.com/reversal-report

Healthcare utilization and cost impact of telehealth-delivered nutrition therapy for type 2 diabetes and obesity: a retrospective claims-based study

https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.11.09.25339829

Real-World Cardiovascular Outcomes with a Carbohydrate-Reduced Telemedicine Intervention

https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.27.25338916

Reduced Onset of MASLD, MASH, and Advanced Liver Disease in patients who received Individualized Nutrition-Focused Remote Care for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity

https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.24.25338753

Effectiveness of telehealth nutritional therapy in preventing chronic kidney disease among adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity: a real-world, retrospective, propensity score–matched cohort study

https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.17.25338238

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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 Mailbag: Ketone Plateaus, Sleep Issues, Fat Intake, and More

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 12:38:00 -0400

Ever wonder why your ketone levels dip after a few months on a ketogenic diet? Or how exogenous ketones compare to ketones produced naturally?

In this Metabolic Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede unpack the latest round of keto questions asked by the community.

💡 You’ll learn:

What lower ketone levels actually mean
How to know if you need to raise your ketones
How exogenous ketones compare to ketones produced by the body
How to troubleshoot keto-induced insomnia
The difference between total and net carbs and which one you should be paying attention to
How much fat you should eat on a ketogenic diet

If you’re exploring ketogenic therapy for mental or metabolic health, this episode offers expert insights on the most common keto questions to help you feel confident in your journey.

🎥Still have questions about ketogenic therapy and metabolic health? Check out our previous mailbag episodes, which cover a range of commonly asked questions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m6Fm0nXaMQ

👉Do you have a question about ketogenic therapy or metabolic psychiatry? Submit your question to our team here: metabolicmind.org/questions

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #QuestionAndAnswer

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

Dr. Georgia Ede

Resources Mentioned:

Treatment Resistant Depression Series

Metabolic Psychiatry for Non-Prescribers

https://ally-academy-nw.ce-go.com/metabolic-psychiatry-for-non-prescribers-23-07-2025-503

Keto Mojo Macronutrient Calculator

https://keto-mojo.com/mymojomacros-keto-macro-calculator/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

Why Setbacks Can Happen with Ketogenic Therapy for Mental Illness — and How to Respond

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:27:00 -0400

What does it really look like to heal a serious mental illness with ketogenic therapy?

At Metabolic Mind, we often highlight powerful stories of individuals putting serious psychiatric conditions into remission with ketogenic and metabolic therapies. But healing isn't always linear, and it's rarely easy.

In this honest and deeply human episode, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede sit down with Matt Baszucki and Lauren Kennedy West to explore the real-world challenges of using ketogenic therapies for mental health.

Together, they discuss:

The emotional and practical realities of tapering psychiatric medications
Navigating variable ketone levels and the effect on mood, cognition, and stability
The stigma around diet and mental illness, and the power of self-trust
What it takes to sustain long-term lifestyle change (and the benefits of support)
How setbacks can become opportunities for growth, resilience, and self-discovery

Whether you're just starting a metabolic therapy or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers validation, insight, and encouragement to keep going — even when the path is hard.

👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more real conversations on metabolic psychiatry and mental health: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicTherapies #FoodAsMedicine #Schizophrenia #BipolarDisorder

Expert Featured:

Dr. Georgia Ede
Dr. Bret Scher

Matt Baszucki

Lauren Kennedy West

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

A UC Davis Scientist on Why Meat Isn’t the Climate Villain

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 13:39:00 -0400

Is the diet being promoted to “save the planet” actually based on environmental data?

In this eye-opening interview, Dr. Frank Mitloehner, air quality specialist and director of the CLEAR Center at UC Davis, unpacks the claims behind the EAT-Lancet 2.0 report, particularly the idea that cutting animal-sourced foods will drastically reduce environmental harm. Despite widespread media framing it as a climate solution, Dr. Mitloehner reveals that the Planetary Health Diet is not grounded in environmental science at all — a fact even confirmed in the report’s own glossary.

He also highlights a key finding from the UN’s FAO: shifting to plant-based diets was ranked among the least effective ways to reduce livestock-related emissions, far behind solutions like improving animal health and increasing productivity.

📌 Key topics covered:

Why the “Planetary Health Diet” isn’t actually about planetary health
What the data really says about livestock’s role in climate change
The misplaced focus on animal agriculture vs. major carbon emitters
Conflicts of interest and misleading media narratives
Proven methane reduction strategies already working in California
Why plant-based diets are impractical to scale — and minimally effective for emissions

💡 If you’ve ever wondered whether giving up animal foods is the answer to climate change, or if the environmental case against meat holds up to scientific scrutiny, this interview is a must-watch.

👉Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more of the latest news and research regarding metabolic health, neurological health, and proven dietary interventions: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind.

#MetabolicMind #FoodAsMedicine #PlanetaryHealthDiet

Expert Featured:

Frank M Mitloehner

Resources Mentioned:

The Eat-Lancet Planetary Health Diet

https://eatforum.org/eat-lancet/the-planetary-health-diet/

FAO Pathways Towards Lower Emissions

https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a06a30d3-6e9d-4e9c-b4b7-29a6cc307208/content

Common Ground Film

https://commongroundfilm.org/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

Why People with Mental Illness Die Younger—and What We Can Do About It

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0400

People living with serious mental health conditions face a dramatically higher risk of premature death, not only from psychiatric symptoms, but from the cardiometabolic complications that often accompany their treatment.

Despite decades of awareness, this critical issue remains under recognized and under treated. In this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with two leading experts who are changing that:

Dr. Margaret Hahn, Clinician Scientist in the Schizophrenia Division at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Sharmili Edwin Tharanajah, Physician and Research Associate at the University Hospital Frankfurt’s Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy.

Together, they unpack groundbreaking research on the metabolic consequences of psychiatric care, including antipsychotic-induced glucose dysregulation, obesity, and insulin resistance and explore how clinicians can better prevent, detect, and manage these risks.

💡Their conversation covers:

Why people with severe mental illness lose up to 20 years of life due to cardiometabolic disease
How antipsychotic and antidepressant medications affect glucose metabolism, even without weight gain
Practical strategies for psychiatrists to monitor and manage metabolic side effects
The growing role of metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and ketogenic therapy in psychiatric care

This conversation is essential for clinicians, researchers, and anyone affected by mental illness who wants to better understand how metabolism and mental health are deeply interconnected, and what can be done to protect both.

👉Stay up to date with the latest news, insights, and research on metabolic psychiatry by subscribing to Metabolic Mind: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MentalHealthCare

Expert Featured:

Dr. Margaret Hahn

CAMH: https://camh.ca/en/science-and-research/science-and-research-staff-directory/margarethahn
University of Toronto: https://psychiatry.utoronto.ca/faculty/margaret-hahn

Dr. Sharmili Edwin Thanarajah

Goethe-Universität — Medizin: https://www.unimedizin-ffm.de/einrichtungen/kliniken/zentrum-fuer-psychische-gesundheit/psychiatrie-psychosomatik-und-psychotherapie/team/assistenzaerztinnenassistenzaerzte/dr-med-sharmili-edwin-thanarajah

Resources Mentioned:

Antipsychotic Drugs and Dysregulated Glucose Homeostasis Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2837755

An Overview of Links Between Obesity and Mental Health:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13679-015-0164-9

INTEGRATE: International guidelines for algorithmic treatment of schizophrenia

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(25)00031-8/abstract

Clinical management of major depressive disorder with comorbid obesity

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(25)00193-2/fulltext

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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/

Can a Ketogenic Diet Help Treat Cancer?

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 15:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with L.J. Amaral, a registered dietitian, certified in nutrition oncology, and PhD student researcher at Cedars-Sinai, about where ketogenic therapy may fit into cancer care. Together they emphasize a crucial point: in oncology, we’re not just treating the tumor, we’re treating the whole person. The quality of life, physical strength, and day-to-day function of patients matter in prognosis.

L.J. covers:

How shifting fuel toward ketones may influence metabolism, inflammation, fatigue, and even muscle preservation during treatment.
Why many tumors crave glucose, and why that matters for dietary strategies.
The potential of ketogenic therapy used alongside standard of care (surgery/chemo/radiation), with early signals around feasibility, daily living, and patient well-being.
The real-world nuance of responders vs. non-responders, and why personalized coaching is key.
How some patients pair fasting windows with treatment, and the practical safeguards to consider.
What’s next: details on an NIH-funded, multi-center phase 2 trial comparing a ketogenic approach to an American Cancer Society–style diet.

Ketogenic therapy in oncology is early but advancing. If you’re curious about science-backed nutrition strategies that support both treatment and daily life, this conversation is for you.

👉Interested in learning more about metabolic health and ketogenic therapy? Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for the latest research, expert interviews, and updates: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #CancerTreatment #FoodAsMedicine

Expert Featured:

L.J. Amaral

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ljamaral/
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lj-Amaral

Resources Mentioned:

A phase 1 safety and feasibility trial of a ketogenic diet plus standard of care for patients with recently diagnosed glioblastoma

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06675-6

Successful application of dietary ketogenic metabolic therapy in patients with glioblastoma: a clinical study

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1489812

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

Go Slowly: A Beginners Guide to Psychiatric Drug Tapering (Part 2)

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:06:00 -0400

Thinking about reducing or stopping psychiatric medication? It may not be the right approach for everyone, but for someone considering it, there's much to keep in mind.

For instance, many individuals who adopt ketogenic therapy and other metabolic strategies often find themselves in need of reducing medication. But how can they do it safely and with minimal risk?

In part 2 of our 2-part series on med tapering, Dr. Bret Scher and ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬ dive deep into how to safely and effectively taper psychiatric medications, offering guidance, caution, and hope for those exploring this path.

Tapering antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers can be one of the most complex challenges in mental health care and it can come with serious risks. Dr. Ede breaks down what most clinicians miss about withdrawal, and why “slow and steady” isn’t just advice, it’s a necessity. She also explains how strategies like ketogenic therapy and other lifestyle interventions can support brain stability during the process.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why individuals are looking to reduce or remove medication

✅ The potential risks of not safely tapering

✅ The “no sudden movements” rule and the concept of hyperbolic tapering

✅ Tools and resources for safer dose reductions (compounding pharmacies, taper strips, and more)

✅ How to increase your chances of feeling better with no or less medication

✅ The role of metabolic health, nutrition, sleep, and stress management in effective tapering

✅ What to do if your doctor is hesitant or resistant to adjusting your medication

✅ Why you may want to consider avoiding supplementing during a taper

🎥 To learn more about the importance of safe tapering and why it needs to be personalized, check out part 1 of this 2-part series: https://youtu.be/RVMvi-vU5E8

Experts Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

X: https://x.com/bschermd

Dr. Georgia Ede

Website: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/
Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mind
YouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬
X: https://x

Resources:

The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines

https://a.co/d/5WWskZs

Crossing Zero: The Art and Science of Coming Off - and Staying Off - Psychiatric Drugs

https://www.amazon.com/dp/8797625906?

Taper Clinic

https://taperclinic.com/

Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring’s free Taper Clinic program

https://taperclinic.com/our-program/

Outro Health

https://www.outro.com/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

Exposing the Truth Behind EAT-Lancet’s Diet Report & MisInfluencer Campaign

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 19:17:00 -0400

The EAT-Lancet Commission recently released their updated "Planetary Health Diet" and preemptively labeled a number of health experts who pushed back as “mis-influencers.”

Dr. Georgia Ede was one of those health experts labeled and in this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, she joins Dr. Bret Scher to unpack the many flaws of the EAT-Lancet 2.0 report.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

The deep flaws in claiming a one-size-fits-all solution to diet and planetary health.
EAT-Lancet’s heavy reliance on weak epidemiological data
Its open acknowledgment of nutrient deficiencies in the EAT-Lancet diet and who is most at risk
Why animal-sourced foods are beneficial for our health—especially for brain health
How ideology and influence may be driving public health messaging
Dr. Ede’s response to being labeled a “mis-influencer”

At Metabolic Mind, we believe optimal human nutrition begins with asking the right scientific questions—starting with what’s healthiest for the brain and body, then considering sustainable solutions.

Human and planetary health are too complex for one-size-fits-all solutions—and if such a diet existed, we wouldn’t uncover it through untested epidemiological guesswork.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Georgia Ede

Website: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/
Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mind
YouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬
X: https://x

Resources Mentioned

Eat Lancet

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

Taper Down Slowly: A Beginners Guide to Psychiatric Drug Tapering (Part 1)

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:12:00 -0400

Psychiatric medications have become a standard of care for many mental illnesses. For some, these medications can be life-changing. For others, they may offer little relief, cause intolerable side effects, lose effectiveness over time, or even worsen symptoms.

Regardless, many individuals eventually seek to reduce or discontinue psychiatric medication use—often without adequate support. Unfortunately, most clinicians receive limited training in how to guide patients through safe, personalized tapering protocols and the existing guidelines often fail to reflect real-world experiences.

In part one of our new two-part series, Dr. Bret Scher and psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede delve into a critical yet under-discussed topic: how to taper psychiatric medications safely.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why people consider tapering (side effects, loss of benefit, life changes, etc.)
Why safe psychiatric medication tapering is important
How the brain adapts to meds (homeostasis) and how that impacts taper speed
Why personalization in medication management is important
How to tell the difference between withdrawal and a true relapse
How to prepare: education, team support, and trusted resources

Almost everyone will need to adjust the dose of a medication at some point, even if only to try a different medication. Some will want to try to come off psychiatric meds entirely. It’s not a journey to take alone. Safe tapering is not a DIY process. We strongly encourage working with a knowledgeable healthcare provider who can help you personalize the approach, choosing the right pace, plan, and monitoring strategies to protect your health. In addition, we recommend resources below that can help.

The goal isn’t simply to stop a medication, it’s to feel and function at your best. And the safest route is the one that’s tailored to you.

📆 Stay tuned for episode 2 of our two-part series on psychiatric medication tapering—airing October 15.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

X: https://x.com/bschermd

Dr. Georgia Ede

Website: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/
Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mind
YouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬
X: https://x.com/GeorgiaEdeMD
IG: https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/

Resources Mentioned:

Medication Tapering Hub

Coming Soon! Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when new resources are available: https://www.metabolicmind.org/about-us/newsletter/

The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines

https://a.co/d/5WWskZs

Crossing Zero: The Art and Science of Coming Off - and Staying Off - Psychiatric Drugs

https://www.amazon.com/dp/8797625906?

Inner Compass Initiative

https://www.theinnercompass.org/

Surviving Antidepressants

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/

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:

When low-carb isn’t enough: A Doctor’s Journey with GLP-1s

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 17:13:00 -0400

Ketogenic therapy is a powerful tool for weight loss. But not everyone who cuts carbs is able to achieve their goal weight and metabolic health goals. Could GLP-1s offer the missing piece when low-carb and clean eating aren’t quite enough?

In this episode of the Metabolic Mind Podcast, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Shannon Robinson, a board-certified psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist, to explore this overlooked population who could benefit most from GLP-1s. Drawing from both her personal journey and clinical practice, Dr. Robinson highlights why lifestyle alone isn’t always enough, and how medications can sometimes be life-changing.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

✅ Why GLP-1s may help patients already following strict low-carb or carnivore diets

✅ How keto (and GLP-1s) are beneficial for weight loss and addiction

✅ The parallels between GLP-1s and addiction medicine

✅ Real-world insights on side effects, dosing, and the impact of GLP-1s on muscle

✅ Advice for people starting GLP-1 medications

✅ Why controlling GLP-1 dose is important

For many, food and lifestyle changes unlock better health. But when life’s stressors and personal biology create roadblocks, other tools may be able to help. As Dr. Robinson highlights, GLP-1s aren’t a replacement for a healthy lifestyle, but when strategically used in combination with lifestyle changes, they can be a key to success for many people.

👉Interested in learning more about metabolic health, ketogenic therapy, and lifestyle interventions for optimal mental health? Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for the latest research, expert interviews, and updates: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind.

#MetabolicMind #GLP1 #KetogenicTherapy

Expert Featured:

Dr. Shannon Robinson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-robinson-8aa3a4210/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

The Healing Depression Project: A New Path Beyond “Treatment Resistant” Depression

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:01:00 -0400

Depression that doesn’t improve, or gets labeled as treatment resistant, can leave people feeling without options and hopeless. But what if there was another way forward?

In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Silvia J. Covelli, founder and CEO of the Healing Depression Project, and Dr. Achina Stein, a board-certified psychiatrist and functional medicine physician. Together, they share how personal journeys and clinical insights converged to create a groundbreaking program that addresses depression at its root.

You’ll hear Silvia’s story of living with depression for 25+ years before finding lasting relief through holistic lifestyle changes. And Dr. Stein explains how her own family’s health crisis led her to functional psychiatry.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

How functional psychiatry focuses on metabolic, nutritional, and lifestyle drivers of mental health.
What happens inside the Healing Depression Project retreats (labs, ketogenic therapy, , and community support).
Why addressing lifestyle factors like sleep, diet, and movement can lead to depression remission, not just symptom management.
How the Healing Depression Project is setting a new framework for what treating treatment resistant depression can look like.

By combining functional psychiatry, metabolic therapies, and a compassionate community, this program is showing what metabolic psychiatry is all about: mental illness doesn’t always have to be a lifelong sentence.

👉 Healing Depression Project is now accepting applications for their next retreat. Visit https://www.healingdepressionproject.com/ to learn more!

Expert Featured:

Silvia J. Covelli

https://www.linkedin.com/in/silvia-j-covelli-6709b0275/

Dr. Achina Stein

Resources Mentioned:

Healing Depression Project

https://www.healingdepressionproject.com/

Book: What If It’s Not Depression? Your Guide To Finding Answers and Solutions

https://www.amazon.com/What-Its-NOT-Depression-Solutions/dp/B0BD4S9TDF

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

The Future of Mental Health Care: Training Doctors in Ketogenic Therapy

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:32:00 -0400

Ketogenic therapy for mental illness is gaining attention, with more and more patients looking to incorporate this strategy into their care plan.

The problem is that sometimes patients struggle to find providers to help them and providers often lack the expertise and confidence to prescribe this strategy.

These issues led to a light bulb moment for Dr. Kelly, “We’ve got to capacity build, we have to figure this out.”

In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Deanna Kelly, PharmD, internationally recognized for her work in schizophrenia, psychiatric pharmacology, and metabolic health, who is now pioneering an innovative project of her own called Live it, Launch it.

This first-of-its-kind study is Dr. Kelly’s brainchild, designed to train clinicians through direct experience in an effort to increase clinical expertise in metabolic and ketogenic therapies. Participants don’t just learn the science, they actually live a ketogenic diet themselves, gaining confidence, competence, and practical insight to better guide patients struggling with psychiatric disorders.

In this interview, you’ll discover:

Why so many families are searching for trained ketogenic therapy clinicians
Why personal experience may be the missing link in clinical adoption
The potential widespread clinical impact of Live it, Launch it.
The potential of ketogenic therapy alongside medications like GLP-1s
An update on Dr. Kelly’s in-patient ketogenic therapy for schizophrenia study

By training clinicians to live it before they launch it, this study could change how psychiatric care is delivered, and help meet the growing demand for clinical guidance in ketogenic therapy.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Deanna Kelly

Director of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center
X: https://x.com/profdeannak

Resources Mentioned:

Why Did the Maryland Health Department Halt a Critical Schizophrenia Study?

https://youtu.be/tzPlQ6dJwe8

Stanford Study Shows Promise of Keto

https://www.metabolicmind.org/trials/featured/stanford-study-shows-promise-of-keto/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

The 5 Lifestyle Habits That Make or Break College Mental Health

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 13:22:00 -0400

Dr. Ryan Patel, senior staff psychiatrist at The Ohio State University, shares a practical, evidence-based roadmap for helping young adults thrive during the most turbulent years of brain and behavior development.

Across this deep dive, Dr. Patel explains why 18–24-year-olds are a distinct clinical population and how day-to-day habits can make or break academic performance, quality of life, and long-term health. He also discusses his work on the KIND Trial (Ketogenic Intervention in Depression) and how those results can help to inform care.

In this conversation, Dr. Patel shares:

Why college students require a different clinical lens
An overview of his five high-impact interventions: sleep, nutrient-dense nutrition, physical activity, mindful tech use, and stress management
How lifestyle factors drive anxiety, depression, and dropout risk (and how to reverse course)
Practical ways campuses and clinicians can scale prevention
Insights from the KIND Trial: feasibility of ketosis in students and notable mood improvements
When and how to consider ketogenic therapy alongside standard care for depression

👍 To learn more about metabolic health and mental well-being, subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more research, stories, and emerging evidence.

👉For more information on the KIND study, checkout our blog: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/news-views/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/kind-osu-keto-depression-study/

👉Check out the Youth Mental Health Hub for even more information and resources: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/youth-mental-health/

Expert Featured:

Dr. Ryan Patel

Blog: https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/

Resources Mentioned:

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03544-8

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

College Mental Health Crisis: How Students Can Combat Depression & Anxiety

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 13:15:00 -0400

Are there new treatment options for college students living with depression?

Mental health challenges are rising at an alarming rate among young people—and college campuses are feeling the impact. Nearly half of students report depressive symptoms, and conventional treatments aren’t enough for many of them.

But what if just changing what you eat could offer new hope?

A recent pilot study out of The Ohio State University found that a ketogenic diet led to rapid and clinically significant improvements in depression symptoms among college students—with a 37% average reduction in depression scores in just two weeks, increasing to a 71% increase at 12 weeks.

In this conversation, lead study investigator Drew Decker sits down with Drs. Georgia Ede and Bret Scher to discuss how his group was able to help 100% of completing participants experience clinically significant improvements in depression and the real-world feasibility of implementing ketogenic therapy in student populations.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

The current state of mental health on college campuses
The factors contributing to the decline in youth mental health
The potential of ketogenic therapy for major depressive disorder
How OSU students were able to stay in ketosis 73% of the time
What colleges can do to better support mental wellness through nutrition

Students are searching for better options and they deserve more than just symptom management. They deserve access to therapies that could improve their quality of life and transform their futures.

To learn more about the KIND study, check out our other content:

Mini-Documentary: https://youtu.be/RZYjV9bo0SI
Dr. Volek & Decker Interview: https://youtu.be/kN0kHPVM3lw
Blog Post: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/news-views/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/new-research-a-ketogenic-diet-improved-depression-in-college-students/

Experts Featured:

Drew Decker, OSU researcher

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drew_d_decker/

Dr. Georgia Ede, MD

Website: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/
Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mind
YouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬
X: https://x.com/GeorgiaEdeMD
IG: https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/

Resources Mentioned

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03544-8

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

Keto for Depression: ~70% Improvement for College Students in New Study

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 08:30:00 -0400

A groundbreaking study from The Ohio State University shows that ketogenic therapy may dramatically reduce symptoms of major depression in college students.

In this interview, study research leads Dr. Jeff Volek and Drew Decker break down the results:

100% of participants responded
69-71% improvements in depression scores
Improvements in cognitive performance, body composition, and metabolic health
No relapses

Dr. Volek has decades of experience conducting research on ketogenic therapy. The Volek Low Carbohydrate Laboratory is one of the best in the game at conducting quality ketogenic science. In this interview Dr. Volek and Drew also cover:

The feasibility of ketogenic therapy in college students
How student participants were supported
What the next steps are for research

As evidence for metabolic psychiatry increases, let’s not forget ketogenic therapy’s roots in pediatric epilepsy. We know a ketogenic diet can be beneficial to our youth and we need more research like this to help pave the way for better youth mental health outcomes.

📺 Watch now to hear how ketogenic therapy may become a new path to hope for young people struggling with depression.

Want to learn more about this study? Check out our blog post: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/news-views/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/new-research-a-ketogenic-diet-improved-depression-in-college-students/

#MentalHealth #KetogenicDiet #MetabolicPsychiatry #DepressionTreatment #NutritionScience #CollegeHealth #DrJeffVolek #MetabolicMind

Expert Featured:

Dr. Jeff Volek

Website: https://lowcarb.osu.edu/

Drew Decker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drew_d_decker/

Resources Mentioned:

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03544-8

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

The Ultra-Processed Food Debate: Science, Bias, & Truth

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 13:34:00 -0400

Are ultra-processed foods really the villain, or is the story more complicated? In this lively, no-nonsense conversation, endocrinologist Dr. David Ludwig (of Harvard and Boston Children’s Hospital) and journalist Gary Taubes unpack why “UPF” is an enticing label but a blunt tool for science, policy, and everyday guidance.

They cover:

Why defining “ultra-processed” is messy, and how lumping diverse packaged foods into one bucket can mislead.
How high-profile trials are interpreted (and misinterpreted), from short study durations to dropout bias and carryover effects.
The role of bias and confirmation bias in nutrition research and media narratives.
Where the debate should go next: moving beyond slogans toward mechanisms like how carbohydrate processing affects blood sugar and insulin.
What to do in the meantime: clearer study design, healthier discourse, and pragmatic takeaways people can use now.

In this conversation, you’ll hear sharp disagreements, candid critiques, and concrete suggestions for doing better science. Plus a spirited back-and-forth on what “good evidence” should look like and how individuals, clinicians, and policymakers can each act on different standards of proof.

What’s at stake isn’t academic nitpicking; it’s policy decisions, headlines, and, ultimately, what lands on your plate.

👉 Stay for the debate, and subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more conversations at the intersection of metabolism and mental health.

Expert Featured:

Dr. David Ludwig

X: https://x.com/davidludwigmd
Dr. Ludwig's UPF Study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2508694

Gary Taubes

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

Can Keto Put Schizophrenia in Remission? A Case That Shocks Experts

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 19:12:00 -0400

What happens when someone living in and out of homelessness, battling schizophrenia, and cycling through hospitals and medications discovers ketogenic therapy?

In this powerful interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with registered nutritional therapist Moira Newiss about one of the most remarkable published case reports to date.

Despite overwhelming socioeconomic challenges, including periods of living in shelters and cooking on nothing more than a hot plate, this individual achieved sustained ketosis on a simple, affordable carnivore-based ketogenic diet.

The result? His schizophrenia and psychosis went into remission.

In the interview, Moira shares:

The details of his journey from homelessness and hospitalization to stability
The simple, affordable foods he used to stay in ketosis
The barriers he faced, from relapse cycles to limited resources
Why this case matters for clinicians, researchers, and anyone seeking hope in the face of serious mental illness

This case is more than a single success story, it challenges assumptions about what’s possible with nutrition, even under the hardest circumstances. For someone who had been deeply embedded in psychiatric care in the UK and not improving on conventional treatment, ketogenic therapy offered a turning point.

👉Want to learn more about the impact of ketogenic therapy on mental health? Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more research, stories, and emerging evidence.

Expert Featured:

Moira Newiss

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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:

This Fat is Increasing Your Risk of Chronic Disease

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 11:42:00 -0400

Could tackling visceral fat be the key to finally reversing the chronic disease crisis?

Unlike the fat you see on your waistline, visceral fat hides deep inside your body, wrapping around organs like your liver, pancreas, and even your heart. And far from being inert, this fat acts like an inflammatory organ, fueling disease, undermining your immune system, and raising the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart attacks.

In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Sean O’Mara, a physician with an extraordinary background (from undercover narcotics agent to Army ER doctor) who has spent over a decade studying visceral fat.

Dr. O’Mara explains:

🐍 Why visceral fat is the true “head of the snake” driving chronic disease

🧪 How to detect it (and why most doctors ignore it)

💪 The surprising lifestyle interventions that can shrink it (fast).

⚠️Why visceral fat may be the single most dangerous and overlooked threat to your health

It may fly under the radar, but visceral fat isn’t beyond reach. With the right tools and lifestyle changes, we can take back control of our health—and rewrite the future of chronic disease.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Sean O’Mara

Website: https://drseanomara.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drseanomara/
X: https://x.com/DrSeanOMara

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:

The Truth About Treatment Resistant Depression: Part Three (Nutrition and Lifestyle)

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:47:00 -0400

Despite decades of therapy and pharmaceutical use, most patients with major depressive disorder fail to achieve full relief.

In part three of our series, Harvard-trained psychiatrist and nutrition specialist Dr. Georgia Ede shares why lifestyle interventions are actually some of the most powerful tools we have for fighting treatment resistant depression.

Drawing on years of clinical practice and pioneering work in metabolic psychiatry, Dr. Ede explains how metabolic health, sleep, exercise, circadian rhythm, and nutrition directly influence brain energy. She also breaks down why nutrition (especially carbohydrate restriction and ketogenic diets) hold unique promise for restoring brain function, even in people who haven’t responded to conventional treatments like medication and therapy.

This conversation covers:

How treatment-resistant depression is tied to brain metabolism
The role of exercise intensity in improving symptoms
How sleep and circadian rhythm shape brain health
How nutrition is the #1 lever for change

Clinicians, researchers, and individuals navigating depression: this conversation is a powerful reminder that patients have more power than they’ve been led to believe and deserve to know the full spectrum of tools available to them. Lifestyle interventions shouldn’t be “secondary”—they’re foundational. Check out Metabolic Mind's model for metabolic psychiatry to learn more.

📌 In case you missed episode 1 and 2 of our 3-part Treatment Resistant Depression series:

Episode 1: Breaking the Myth: https://youtu.be/q7jg6wlD6gY
Episode 2: TMS & Psychedelics: https://youtu.be/ay4RjudumHw

Expert Featured:

Dr. Georgia Ede

Website: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/
Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mind
YouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬
X: https://x.com/GeorgiaEdeMD
IG: https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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:

The Truth About Treatment-Resistant Depression: Part Two (TMS and Psychedelics)

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 14:40:00 -0400

Treatment-resistant depression can feel like the end of the road, but there are more options than most people realize. Beyond traditional antidepressants, a range of innovative treatments exist, including:

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Repetitive Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
Vagus nerve stimulation
Rapid-acting compounds like ketamine, esketamine, and psilocybin

These treatments are offering new hope for patients who haven’t found relief in the current standard of care.

In this second part of our three-part series, Dr. Georgia Ede and Dr. Bret Scher dive deep into the science, effectiveness, and practical considerations of these approaches. You’ll learn how these treatments work, the evidence behind them, and what to expect in terms of accessibility, cost, and side effects.

From the rapid results of ketamine (sometimes within a single day) to the growing public awareness of rTMS, this discussion explores both cutting-edge and underutilized options, plus the barriers that still keep many from accessing them.

Watch now to discover why “treatment-resistant” doesn’t mean “hopeless,” and be on the lookout for Part 3, where we’ll explore powerful (and accessible) lifestyle and metabolic interventions that can complement or even replace medical treatments.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Georgia Ede

Website: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/
Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mind
YouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬
X: https://x.com/GeorgiaEdeMD
IG: https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/

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:

What Doctors Really Think About the ‘Miracle’ Weight Loss Drugs

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 11:02:00 -0400

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have become household names, celebrated as breakthrough treatments for weight loss and obesity. But while headlines showcase dramatic before-and-after photos and promises of rapid transformation, when we step beyond the marketing, a more nuanced reality comes to light.

In this candid conversation, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, a family medicine physician, and Dr. Tro Kalayjian, board-certified in internal and obesity medicine, draw on decades of clinical experience to examine where GLP-1s truly shine, where they fall short, and why the foundation for lasting health can’t come from a prescription alone.

They make the case for integrating GLP-1s into a comprehensive care plan, one that addresses nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress. Without these pillars, patients face higher risks of side effects, reduced long-term benefits, and the all-too-common rebound weight gain.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

Which patients benefit most from GLP-1 therapy (and which may not)
How “medication stewardship” ensures safe, responsible use
Why starting at the lowest effective dose and tapering matters
How lifestyle-first programs can match or exceed drug results at a fraction of the cost

Drs. Cucuzzella and Kalayjian remind us that true success lies in restoring metabolic health and building habits that last long after the injection ends. GLP-1 medications can be powerful allies, but they’re not a silver bullet. Without a foundation of nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management, they risk becoming just another short-term fix.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella

Website: https://www.drmarksdesk.com/

Dr. Tro Kalayjian

Website: https://toward.health/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/
X: https://x.com/DoctorTro

Resources Mentioned:

TOWARD: a metabolic intervention that improves addiction and binge eating symptoms

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1612551

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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:

The Truth About Treatment Resistant Depression: Part One (Breaking the Myth)

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:45:00 -0400

What is treatment resistant depression and perhaps more importantly, what does it say about the ineffective care many receive?

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is defined as major depressive disorder (MDD) that fails to respond to at least 2 anti-depressant medications.

Nearly 10% of the adult population in the U.S. experience a major depressive episode each year. The numbers in our youth are even more alarming with some studies suggesting that between 40-50% of college-aged students are living with depression.

While anti-depressant medications tend to be the first-line treatment for MDD, as Dr. Georgia Ede highlights, “it’s more common not to respond to standard antidepressants than it is to respond to them.”

This makes TRD the “norm”, but the name itself is misleading.

It doesn’t mean your brain is broken or that you’ve run out of options. In fact, it says more about the limits of our current standard of treatments than about you.

In this first episode of a three-part series, cardiologist Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Harvard-trained psychiatrist @GeorgiaEdeMD‬ to unpack what treatment-resistant depression really means, why it’s more common than most people think, and why the term can be so harmful.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How depression is diagnosed
The surprising prevalence of TRD
Why antidepressants often fail to deliver lasting relief
The biological factors (from inflammation to metabolic dysfunction) that may be driving MDD
The importance of broadening the treatment toolbox beyond medication

If you or someone you love has been labeled with “treatment-resistant” depression, this conversation is an important reminder: there are other options to explore, and more importantly, there is hope.

Be on the lookout for episode 2 of this 3-part TRD series, where Dr. Scher and Dr. Ede cover alternative treatments and cutting-edge therapies including neurostimulation, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and metabolic interventions that could offer new hope.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Georgia Ede

Website: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/
Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mind
YouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬
X: https://x.com/GeorgiaEdeMD
IG: https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/

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:

6 Clear Signs You Might Have Food Addiction & What You Can Do

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:52:00 -0400

Is food addiction a mental illness? Should ultra-processed foods rich in sugar and refined carbohydrates be classified alongside alcohol, nicotine, and other addictive substances linked to substance use disorders?

Food addiction (especially to processed, packaged, carb-heavy foods) is real, widespread, and often misunderstood by both the public and healthcare professionals.

Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede sit down with Dr. Jen Unwin, a psychologist with over 30 years of NHS experience, to explore the science, diagnostic challenges, and recovery strategies for ultra-processed food addiction.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

Why food addiction isn’t yet formally recognized as a substance use disorder
How food addiction differs from emotional or disordered eating
Biological mechanisms driving addictive patterns, such as dopamine spikes from refined carbohydrates
The six WHO criteria for substance use disorder and how they apply to food
The role of ketogenic and low-carb diets in recovery from food addiction
The influence of artificial sweeteners
The importance of defining the addictive substances involved

You’ll hear practical strategies for treatment, including abstinence-based approaches, personalized dietary plans, group support, and brain-retraining education. The conversation also explores the rise of GLP-1 medications—where they can help, where they fall short, and how they compare to dietary interventions in addressing root causes.

If you or your patients struggle with cravings, cycles of relapse, or feelings of helplessness around food, this discussion offers hope, clarity, and actionable next steps toward lasting recovery.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Jen Unwin

Dr. Georgia Ede

‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬

Resources Mentioned:

The International Food Addiction Conference

www.the-chc.org/fas/conference

Dr. Unwin’s Book

https://www.amazon.com/Fork-Road-Hopeful-Guide-Freedom-ebook/dp/B08XZL1LLJ/

CME’s Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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:

Q&A’s: Are Sweeteners Helpful or Harmful? Dairy? Ketone Levels, Longevity, and More

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:19:00 -0400

Ketogenic therapy for mental health is gaining traction, but what happens when it doesn’t seem to work or even makes things worse?

In this episode, Dr. Georgia Ede and Dr. Bret Scher answer some of the most common questions about ketogenic diets, including what to do when your mental health doesn’t improve, how to properly enter ketosis, and why sweeteners, snacks, and dairy might be holding you back.

They break down the difference between a ketogenic diet and ketogenic therapy, and why things like ketone levels, medication adjustments, and lifestyle factors matter. You’ll also learn why some people experience initial worsening symptoms, how to transition more gradually, and when to seek support from experienced clinicians.

From food choices to long-term outcomes, this episode covers key troubleshooting strategies for making ketogenic therapy work for your brain and body.

Have questions about ketogenic therapy and mental health? Drop them in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!

Expert Featured:

Dr. Georgia Ede

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:

Do We Have Kidney Health All Wrong?

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Is high protein intake responsible for chronic kidney disease? Have you ever heard that ketogenic diets are harmful to your kidneys?

These are just a few of the common kidney health myths debunked in this interview with Dr. Thomas Weimbs, who says that traditional views on what causes chronic kidney disease are “definitely not founded in science.”

Dr. Thomas Weimbs, professor and vice chair at UC Santa Barbara, has spent decades studying chronic kidney disease (CKD). His recent research explores the impact of ketogenic interventions on kidney function, and the findings may surprise you. Rather than harming the kidneys, Dr. Weimbs is finding that keto can actually improve kidney function in people living with CKD.

According to Dr. Weimbs, “Clearly, the number one cause of chronic kidney disease is not protein in excess—it’s, of course, carbohydrates in excess and type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is causing chronic kidney disease.”

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why longstanding myths about protein and kidney function need to be re-examined
Why misconceptions around keto and kidney health exist
How ketogenic diets are showing promise for chronic kidney disease (including PKD)
About results from randomized controlled trials and the 2-year Virta Health study
How ketones may directly benefit kidney health

Dr. Weimbs also shares insights from his lab’s ongoing research—findings that challenge conventional thinking and call for a re-examination of how we understand and treat chronic kidney disease.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Thomas Weimbs
https://www.facebook.com/groups/256099897773551/
https://santabarbaranutrients.com/

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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:

Q&A: Harvard Trained Psychiatrist Answers Your Mental Health and Diet Questions. Ep. 1

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 19:06:00 -0400

What’s the difference between a low-carb diet and a ketogenic diet, especially when it comes to mental health?

In this premiere Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher (Medical Director at Metabolic Mind) and Harvard trained psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede answer some of the most common questions they receive about ketogenic diets specifically for mental illness.

Whether you're new to ketogenic therapy or have been experimenting for years, this discussion offers valuable clarity on concepts that often cause confusion, even among clinicians.

💡 Topics covered include:

The difference between low-carb and ketogenic diets for mental health
Why being “in ketosis” matters more than just eating low carb
How high ketones may need to be for mood and psychiatric benefit
When (and how often) to test ketone levels
Factors that may affect your ability to stay in ketosis, including stress, sleep, exercise, and protein intake
Whether a ketogenic diet needs to be lifelong for mental health benefits
When (or if) supplements like MCT oil or exogenous ketones are appropriate

This episode is not a deep dive into every topic, but it sets the stage for future discussions—and highlights just how individualized ketogenic therapy can be.

📬 Have a question for Dr. Ede and Dr. Scher?

Leave a comment below or DM us on Instagram or X/Twitter (@MetabolicMind). Your question may be featured in a future Mailbag episode!

🔗 Learn more about ketogenic therapy for mental health: https://www.metabolicmind.org

#KetogenicDiet #MentalHealth #LowCarbVsKeto #DrGeorgiaEde #DrBretScher #MetabolicPsychiatry #NutritionForMentalHealth #BrainEnergy #Ketosis #Depression #BipolarDisorder #Schizophrenia #MailbagEpisode #MetabolicMind

Expert Featured:

Dr. Bret Sher
Dr. Georgia Ede

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:

Will GLP-1 Drugs Replace Diets Forever?

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 12:25:00 -0400

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are changing how the medical system approaches obesity and metabolic disease. But are they a replacement for dietary intervention? Or are dietary interventions a replacement for these medications? Could they be used together for even better outcomes?

In this conversation, Dr. David Ludwig (Harvard, Boston Children’s Hospital) and journalist Gary Taubes explore the science behind GLP-1s, their impact on insulin, weight loss, and chronic disease, and where dietary strategies like low carb or ketogenic therapy fit in.

They break down:

The overlap between GLP-1 drugs and low carb diets
Why long-term use of these drugs may come with hidden costs
How shared mechanisms open the door to combination therapy
What current studies are missing and the urgent need for better trials
Why metabolic health (not just weight loss) should be the focus

This conversation challenges the idea that the answer is either medication or nutrition therapy. The reality is that every individual is different, and for many, the most effective path to healing may involve a thoughtful combination of both. Rather than choosing one over the other, we should focus on tailoring care to the unique needs of each individual with the goal of getting the best outcomes.

Expert Featured:

Dr. David Ludwig

X: https://x.com/davidludwigmd

Gary Taubes

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:

Free Help for Mental Illness? This Program is Making It Real

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:32:00 -0400

Ketogenic therapy for mental illness is changing lives. And now, it’s becoming more accessible than ever.

Dr. Bret Scher chats with licensed mental health counselor Nicole Laurent about her innovative online program and nonprofit initiative aimed at providing low-to-no-cost metabolic therapy support to people with serious mental illness.

Nicole shares how her own journey through cognitive impairment led her to ketogenic therapy, and how that experience transformed her clinical practice. Today, her Brain Fog Recovery Program is helping individuals with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, early Alzheimer's, and more—many of whom are on disability and unable to access traditional care options.

We at Baszucki Group were proud to offer a matching grant to help Nicole expand access to more people in need, and we’re happy to report that the matching goal has been reached between the time of recording and posting. However, that is not the end of the support needed to expand the capabilities and awareness of this life-changing program.

Topics discussed:

Why ketogenic therapy can be so effective for mental illness
How Nicole’s program offers structured, compassionate support
Her nonprofit’s mission to serve low-income and disabled populations
What the fundraising campaign is doing to expand access
How to sign up for the program or contribute to its growth

Expert Featured:

Nicole Laurent, LMHC

Resources Mentioned:

Visit: https://www.every.org/brain-fog-recovery-source
📩 Email for nonprofit access: nonprofit@mentalhealthketo.com
📩 Email for private consultation: nicole@mentalhealthketo.com

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:

The Truth About Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 01:05:00 -0400

Does psychiatric medication withdrawal exist — or is it just a myth?

For anyone who’s lived through it, the question alone can feel insulting.

Psychiatric drug withdrawal is real. While the experience varies widely, for many, it’s not “brief and mild” as many guidelines state it is. It can be intense, destabilizing, and often misunderstood. One of the most painful challenges is trying to determine whether what you're experiencing is withdrawal or relapse.

Unfortunately, current clinical guidelines don’t help. They often frame withdrawal as short-lived and minor, dismissing anything more severe as a return of illness. A potentially dangerous oversimplification that can leave patients feeling gaslit or unsupported.

In this interview, Dr. Mark Horowitz, a psychiatrist and researcher who’s both studied and experienced withdrawal firsthand, unpacks a new JAMA study that exemplifies the problem: guidelines built on inadequate evidence.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why current drug withdrawal guidelines fall short
Overview of the new JAMA paper Incidence and Nature of Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms
The critical distinction between withdrawal and relapse
The truth about psychiatric drug withdrawal
How to design better research that reflects real-world experiences
Why this information is often not reaching clinicians
How we can conduct research that can better inform patient support

Dr. Horowitz’s story is one of courage and insight. As a clinician, he had no idea how wrong the guidelines were, until he tried coming off medication himself. What he discovered was far more complex than anything he’d been taught.

To those navigating psychiatric medication withdrawal — especially in the face of oversimplified headlines and a healthcare system not yet equipped to support you — our hearts go out to you. You deserve care that is informed, compassionate, and grounded in lived experience as well as science. We won’t stop until you have this.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Mark Horowitz
X: @markhoro
Website: https://markhorowitz.org/

Resources Mentioned:

Incidence and Nature of Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2836262

3 Long-Term Psychiatric Medication Studies

https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(98)00126-7/abstract

https://journals.lww.com/intclinpsychopharm/abstract/2002/09000/discontinuation_symptoms__comparison_of_brief.2.aspx

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/interruption-of-selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitor-treatment/F0241958CB073C51F366E2AABE636B5D

Outro Clinic

https://www.outro.com/

The Maudsley Desprescribing Guidelines: Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Gabapentinoids and Z-drugs

https://www.amazon.com/Maudsley-Guidelines-prescribing-Prescribing/dp/111982298X

CMEs Mentioned:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/

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:

Visceral Fat and the Chronic Health Epidemic

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 18:00:00 -0400

Visceral fat, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction are driving the chronic disease epidemic—and yet, they're still misunderstood. In this compelling conversation, former FDA commissioner Dr. David Kessler, MD, explains why he believes visceral adiposity is the greatest public health failure of our lifetime.

Dr. Kessler brings decades of experience (as a pediatrician, legal expert, policy leader, and author of “The End of Overeating” and “Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine”) to explore how ultra-formulated foods impact our biology, why GLP-1 drugs are only a short-term tool, and how we’ve misunderstood addiction when it comes to food. He also opens up about his own struggles with weight gain and metabolic health, despite having all the professional knowledge and discipline in the world.

This interview covers:

The link between processed food, dopamine, and metabolic disease
Why insulin—not just glucose—should be front and center
The role of ketogenic and lower-carb diets for people with visceral fat or food addiction
What went wrong with the dietary guidelines
And what it will take to reverse course and reclaim our health

If you're a clinician, researcher, or someone navigating your own metabolic journey, this conversation is compelling viewing. Dr. Kessler doesn’t offer easy answers, but he does help clarify where the real problem lies and how we might begin to fix it.

Expert Featured:

Dr. David Kessler, FACHE

Resources Mentioned

https://www.amazon.com/Diet-Drugs-Dopamine-David-Kessler-ebook/dp/B0D33Y6L42/

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:

Are We Using GLP-1 Medications All Wrong? with Dr. Ben Bikman

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 12:30:00 -0400

What if We're Using GLP-1 Medications All Wrong?

Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are transforming the landscape of medical weight loss, but could their side effects be a sign that we’re not harnessing their full therapeutic potential?

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Ben Bikman, metabolic health researcher and professor at BYU, joins Dr. Bret Scher to explore a powerful new framework: using GLP-1 medications at low doses and for short durations to help curb carbohydrate cravings, break addictive eating cycles, and support long-term metabolic health.

Rather than prescribing high doses indefinitely, Dr. Bikman proposes a more targeted approach:

Microdosing GLP-1s to enhance satiety and reduce cravings for processed carbs
Using the medication as a temporary metabolic tool to support transitions to lower-carb diets
Reducing long-term risks such as muscle loss, mood changes, and diminishing effectiveness
Emphasizing the importance of habit change, insulin regulation, and muscle preservation

This conversation reimagines GLP-1s not as a lifelong solution, but as a catalyst for sustainable, low-insulin lifestyles, aligned with ketogenic and metabolic therapies.

📌 Could a 90-day microdosing protocol replace years of medication?

Learn how this metabolic-first strategy could empower patients to reclaim their health, without becoming dependent on medication for life.

Expert Featured:

Papers/Articles Mentioned:

-https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/may/27/microdosing-glp-1-drugs-could-solve-americas-carbohydrate-crisis/

-https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8984033/

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/

New Study Using CGMs Reveals Surprising Truth About Your Blood Sugar

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:11:00 -0400

Did you know that your blood sugar spikes differ from everyone else's? Even with the same food!

A new study in Nature Medicine supports what many have long suspected: there is no one-size-fits-all diet. The foods that spike your blood sugar might not affect someone else the same way, and your unique metabolic profile could be the reason why.

In this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, Baszucki Group Neuroscience Program Officer Dr. Cristina Nigro joins Dr. Bret Scher to break down the study “Individual variations in glycemic responses to carbohydrates and underlying metabolic physiology.” This research used continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to track how different individuals respond to carbohydrate-rich foods, and the results are eye-opening.

📌 In this conversation, you’ll learn:

Which carb-containing foods were tested in the study.
Why some people were labeled “potato spikers” or “grape spikers.”
The importance of insulin sensitivity and resistance in mitigating glucose responses.
How fiber, fat, and protein consumed before a meal can blunt sugar spikes—for some people.
The role of CGMs in personalizing treatments for chronic diseases, including severe mental illness.
How this data could inform future dietary guidelines and chronic disease treatment.

It’s time to recognize that we are all unique individuals down to the cellular level and our differences mean there may be unique requirements for each of us to maintain and improve health. Tools like CGMs offer powerful insight into how your body truly responds to food, and that information can be pivotal for tailoring interventions in chronic diseases, including serious mental illnesses. We are hopeful that research like this will lead to better treatment protocols and dietary guidelines.

Expert Featured:

Cristina Nigro
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-nigro-19394127/

Resources Mentioned:

Individual variations in glycemic responses to carbohydrates and underlying metabolic physiology

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03719-2#Sec2

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

She Cured 5 Mental Illnesses in 12 Weeks

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 14:14:00 -0400

Can ketogenic therapy help treat multiple mental health disorders at once? In this video, we explore a dramatic case report where ketogenic therapy put bipolar depression, binge eating disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD into remission.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Erin Louise Bellamy joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss her recently published case report of a 38-year-old woman whose life went from “a mind shattered now restored” in just 12 weeks on a medically supervised ketogenic therapy program. Results so impressive that it forced other practitioners to dismiss the results as being “clinically improbable.”

In this interview, we cover:

- How achieving higher therapeutic ketone levels impacted her mental health symptoms

- How they tailored her diet to achieve a level of ketosis that kept her symptoms in remission

- Why ketogenic therapy may target shared mechanisms across psychiatric diagnoses

- The concept of trans-diagnostic remission and treating root causes, not just symptoms

- The role of dietary compliance, food addiction awareness, and tailored guidance

- How ketogenic therapy can work alongside medications or as a primary intervention for some patients

While the results from this case report may seem out of this world, again and again we are seeing ketogenic therapy provide impressive levels of relief for individuals who are really struggling with mental illness. We hope that these stories will reset the expectations for what is possible in psychiatric care.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MentalHealth #Psychiatry #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ADHD #Anxiety #BingeEatingDisorder #NutritionAndMentalHealth

Expert Featured:

- Dr. Erin Louise Bellamy

- Website: ikrt.org

- X: https://x.com/erinlbellamy

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinlouisebellamy/?hl=en

Resources Mentioned:

Transdiagnostic remission of psychiatric comorbidity in post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, and binge-eating disorder using ketogenic metabolic therapy: a retrospective case report

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/392930410_Transdiagnostic_remission_of_psychiatric_comorbidity_in_post-traumatic_stress_disorder_ADHD_and_binge-eating_disorder_using_ketogenic_metabolic_therapy_a_retrospective_case_report

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/

This Molecule Might Be the Key to Beating Addiction

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:55:29 -0400

Can adenosine and a ketogenic diet help treat addiction? New research explores the powerful role of adenosine, dopamine, and metabolic health in addiction, and how dietary strategies could support recovery.

In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Susan Masino, a neuroscience and psychology professor at Trinity College, about her groundbreaking work on adenosine and its potential to regulate addiction through metabolic pathways. They dive into:

The dopamine-addiction connection
The role of adenosine in addiction and how it balances dopamine activity
The role of ketogenic diets in boosting adenosine
Other mechanisms supporting keto for treating addiction
Why food, sugar, and even phone addiction may share common roots
How metabolic therapies could support recovery from addiction, depression, and more

Dr. Masino also shares insights on how habits, stress, inflammation, and neuroplasticity all intersect with metabolic health—and what that means for mental health and addiction treatment going forward.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Susan Masino

https://internet3.trincoll.edu/facprofiles/default.aspx?fid=1117011

Resources Mentioned:

Ketogenic diet, adenosine, and dopamine in addiction and psychiatry

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1492306/full

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.

The Truth About Tapering Off Psychiatric Medications

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 15:53:47 -0400

Have you ever thought about stopping psychiatric medications? Maybe you have tried it.

If so, you’re not alone. Many individual across the world have considered or tried stopping their psychiatric medications and success is variable.

The withdrawal from psychiatric medication tapering can be incredibly complex, and doing it safely requires both medical and psychological support.

But, as Dr. Anders Sørensen highlights in this interview, the guidelines around medication tapering and withdrawal miss a lot of important nuances that can prevent people from being successful.

In this interview, psychologist and PhD researcher Dr. Anders Sørensen shares his decade-long experience helping people taper off psychiatric medications. He covers the biological and emotional aspects of withdrawal, the science behind tapering strategies like hyperbolic tapering, and why psychotherapy plays a vital role during and after the process. You'll also learn how short-term clinical studies shaped medical guidelines and why those guidelines may not reflect the lived experience of long-term patients.

In this video, you'll also learn:

Why withdrawal can feel like relapse—and how to tell the difference
What makes tapering more complex than just reducing the dose
How to understand withdrawal symptoms and avoid severe outcomes
Why “tapering to something” (like therapy or metabolic interventions) matters
How psychotherapy can support emotional reintegration once medications are gone

Watch for Dr. Sørensen’s forthcoming book “Crossing Zero: The Art and Science of Coming and Staying Off Psychiatric Drugs” coming in summer 2025.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Anders Sørensen
X: https://x.com/_AndersSorensen
Substack: https://crossingzero.substack.com/
Book Coming Soon: https://crossingzero.substack.com/p/curious-about-the-book

Resources Mentioned:

Clinical practice guideline recommendations on tapering and discontinuing antidepressants for depression: a systematic review

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35173954/

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/

What’s the connection between Depression, antipsychotics, and suicide risk?

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 10:05:00 -0400

Is it really treatment-resistant depression or are we using the wrong treatments?

In this episode, Dr. Bret Scher is joined by psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede to examine a new large, population-based analysis on the use of antipsychotics versus third-line antidepressants in people diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, and what effect that has on suicide risk.

They discuss:

What treatment-resistant depression actually means
Why so many people fall into this category
The surprising data on suicide risk and all-cause mortality
The metabolic side effects of antipsychotic medications
Alternative options beyond antipsychotics—including ketogenic therapy and other metabolic strategies

This conversation explores why conventional approaches may fall short, and how metabolic psychiatry offers promising, low-risk alternatives.

📌 Please note: This episode discusses suicide and may be triggering for some viewers.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Georgia Ede, MD

Resources Mentioned

Antipsychotic therapy and suicide risk in patients with treatment-resistant depression: target trial emulation framework study

https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2024.283

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

14 Keto Myths Debunked

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 21:55:00 -0400

Are ketogenic diets dangerous? What about nutrient deficiencies, gout, gut health, keto rash, bone density loss, or kidney stones?

In this video, registered dietitian and ketogenic therapy expert Beth Zupec-Kania, RDN, CD, shares insights from over 30 years of clinical experience to address the most common concerns and misconceptions about ketogenic therapies

From vitamin and mineral intake to gallbladder issues, sleep disruptions, leg cramps, keto flu, and more, this interview covers it all.

Beth also explains how ketogenic therapy can be adapted for various lifestyles, preferences, and health conditions, and offers practical tips for managing social situations, emotional transitions, and athletic performance while following a well-formulated ketogenic diet.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

Why many concerns stem from outdated pediatric protocols
How to safely supplement and avoid nutrient deficiencies
What to know about the microbiome, bowel habits, and fiber intake
How to prevent keto flu, leg cramps, and other common keto side effects
When to be cautious with medications that impact bone or kidney health
How keto may support those with eating disorders—not cause them

Whether you're just starting out or considering ketogenic therapy for epilepsy, type 2 diabetes, mental health, weight loss, or another condition, this video will help ease your mind of many of the concerns around ketogenic dieting.

Whether you're new to metabolic therapies or exploring ketogenic strategies for conditions like epilepsy, type 2 diabetes, serious mental illness, weight loss, or another condition, this video addresses common concerns and offers clarity on how a well-formulated ketogenic diet can be a powerful, science-backed option worth considering.

Expert Featured:

Beth Zupec-Kania, RDN, CD

Resources Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

The Truth About Nutrition Science: Is The Government Getting it Wrong?

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 17:36:56 -0400

Is nutrition research getting the support it needs to inform public health policy?

Despite the rise in chronic diseases related to lifestyle factors like diet, nutrition research only receives $2.2 billion of the $30 billion NIH budget.

At first glance, this may seem like a lot of money, but its utilization is spread thin, and, as Dr. David Ludwig and Gary Taubes highlight in this interview, it’s primarily used to fund misleading short term trials that confirm existing nutrition biases.

However, if we want to actually address the chronic disease epidemic, we must increase the resources allocated to nutrition research AND the quality of that research.

In this video, journalist Gary Taubes and Harvard endocrinologist Dr. David Ludwig expose the core problems in today’s most cited nutrition studies and offer a bold new path forward.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

Why short-term feeding studies can’t tell us much about chronic disease
How confirmation bias shapes which nutrition studies get funded, published, and accepted by the medical community and policy makers
The major flaws in NIH-funded research comparing low-carb vs. low-fat diets
Why the focus on ultra-processed foods is only part of the solution
How we could design better long-term studies that actually help people get healthier

It’s time to question the status quo and demand better utilization of research funds to inform public health policy in a way that can impactfully improve the health of our population.

We encourage you to share this interview so more people can understand the flaws in existing nutrition science and what we can do to fix it.

Expert Featured:

Gary Taubes

Dr. David Ludwig, MD

Resources Mentioned:Studies

Short-term diet trials are designed to fail

https://www.statnews.com/2025/04/22/nutrition-precision-health-short-term-diet-trials-chronic-disease-food/

Gary's Substack Article

https://uncertaintyprinciples.substack.com/p/nih-has-a-nutrition-problem-part

CMEs Mentioned:Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

“Can Drinking Ketones Help Treat Mental Illness?” featuring Dr. Karin Huizer

Sat, 31 May 2025 17:38:00 -0400

Can exogenous ketones help treat mental illness? In this interview, psychiatry resident and researcher in the Netherlands Dr. Karin Huizer shares groundbreaking insights into her pilot study using ketone esters for mental health. The hope is that this early research will inform us to whether or not supplemental ketones are a viable option for mental health, which could be especially useful for patients who struggle to follow a full ketogenic diet.

Dr. Huizer brings a unique perspective as both a scientist and someone living with bipolar disorder. She discusses:

Why exogenous ketones might be a more accessible intervention for patients with treatment-resistant mental illness
The design and goals of her current randomized, triple-blinded clinical trial
How biomarkers like cortisol and melatonin are being measured in real-time using wearable nanotech
The growing metabolic psychiatry community in the Netherlands

This conversation is full of insight, compassion, and hope for more effective, science-backed treatments in mental health.

Watch now to learn how metabolic interventions are evolving and what that could mean for patients worldwide.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Karin Huizer, MD PhD
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-huizer-319bb25/

Resources Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

What Happens When Kids Try Keto for Bipolar? featuring Elizabeth Errico

Sat, 31 May 2025 17:04:00 -0400

Youth mental illness is on the rise, and treatment options are often limited, especially for kids with bipolar disorder. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting a groundbreaking new real-world data collection funded by the Baszucki Group exploring ketogenic therapy as a promising intervention for children and adolescents living with bipolar disorder.

In this interview, Elizabeth Errico, founder of the Children's Mental Health Resource Center (CMHRC), shares how her organization is implementing ketogenic therapy in a real-world setting for kids aged 6 to 17. The year-long study is part of a larger initiative supported by the Baszucki Group to expand mental health care options through metabolic approaches.

Families in the program receive education, hands-on support, and guidance to help implement this dietary therapy at home—often with life-changing results.

In this video, you’ll learn:

Why early diagnosis and support for pediatric bipolar disorder is so critical
How ketogenic therapy is being applied to youth in a structured, supportive way
What families need to implement this therapy successfully
Early anecdotal outcomes from participating families
Why this research could help shift mainstream mental health treatment

This is about more than data—it's about hope, empowerment, and building a better path forward for families navigating serious mental illness.

Expert Featured:

Elizabeth Errico
https://cmhrc.org/

Other Resources Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

Can Ketogenic Therapy Put OCD Into Remission?

Tue, 27 May 2025 15:29:57 -0400

Can ketogenic therapy help reduce or even resolve symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)? Dr. Chris Palmer and research assistant Aaron MacDonald join Metabolic Mind to discuss one of the first published case series exploring metabolic and ketogenic interventions for OCD. In this video, you’ll learn: - Why OCD deserves more attention as a serious, life-limiting condition - How three individuals saw dramatic symptom relief using a therapeutic ketogenic diet - What role ketosis may play in symptom reduction and why results varied from two weeks to a full year - The potential mechanisms behind metabolic therapies and brain energy metabolism - Why more research, including randomized controlled trials, is urgently needed This conversation is especially valuable for clinicians, patients, and families seeking new approaches for treatment-resistant OCD. It also touches on broader implications of metabolic health across a range of mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and the importance of supervised, individualized treatment plans. Hear how both guests bring personal experience with OCD into their research, and why they’re hopeful this work will pave the way for better, much-needed options in mental health care. Experts Featured:- Dr. Chris Palmer, MD Website - https://chrispalmermd.com - Book: https://brainenergy.com - Aaron John MacDonald, research assistant in the Metabolic and Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital 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

Mental Health Meets Heart Health in New Mayo Clinic Initiative

Mon, 19 May 2025 18:55:11 -0400

Can ketogenic therapy improve both cardiovascular and mental health? A new study at Mayo Clinic is exploring that question—and during Mental Health Awareness Month, it's especially exciting to see one of the world’s most prestigious medical institutions investigating the connection between ketogenic therapy and psychiatric care. This research marks a powerful full-circle moment: the ketogenic diet was first used to treat epilepsy at Mayo Clinic over 100 years ago.

In this episode, we sit down with two leading physician-scientists from Mayo Clinic: Dr. Mark A. Frye (Psychiatry) and Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez (Preventive Cardiology). Together, they explore how nutrition—particularly ketogenic therapy—can play a role in treating bipolar disorder, improving cardiovascular health, and addressing shared metabolic pathways that impact both heart and brain health.

In this interview, you'll learn:

Why Mayo Clinic is investing in research on ketogenic interventions for bipolar disorder
The potential shared mechanisms between mood disorders and cardiovascular disease
What "precision nutrition" really means and why one-size-fits-all diets may not work
How Mayo researchers are using advanced cardiovascular testing to monitor safety
Why implementation science is key to bringing dietary interventions into clinical care

This conversation bridges disciplines and opens the door to new, integrated approaches to mental and metabolic health. Watch now and discover how this groundbreaking research is challenging old paradigms and paving the way for better care.

Expert Featured:

Mark Frye, MD
Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, MD, MS

Other Resources Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

New Research Pinpoints Midlife Brain Decline & How to Slow It

Mon, 12 May 2025 17:54:05 -0400

Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive decline should not be inevitable parts of aging. In this interview, Dr. Lily Mujica-Parodi and Dr. Kirk Nylen join Dr. Bret Scher to discuss groundbreaking research revealing a key metabolic midlife marker of accelerated cognitive decline and a potential solution for slowing it.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

Why brain network stability rapidly declines in midlife
How insulin resistance in neurons may be the early driver of neurodegeneration
The critical age window where metabolic interventions could have the biggest impact
Why ketones (from diet or supplementation) may restore brain function and slow cognitive decline
How lifestyle choices like diet and exercise can help protect your brain, long before symptoms arise

If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s and want to understand how to protect long-term brain health, this episode is for you. Dr. Mujica-Parodi also explains the concept of “control circuits” in physiology and how destabilization can trigger a cascade of disease. Plus, we cover the role of exogenous ketones vs. ketogenic diet and the future of brain health screening.

Watch to find out how you can act now, before symptoms appear, to give your brain the best shot at staying resilient and sharp for decades to come.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Lily Mujica-Parodi, PhD
Dr. Kirk Nylen, PhD

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Mujica-Parodi’s website

www.LCneuro.org

Brain aging shows nonlinear transitions, suggesting a midlife “critical window” for metabolic intervention

https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2416433122

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

How Mitochondria Shape Your Mind, Mood, & Mental Health with Dr. Martin Picard

Mon, 05 May 2025 12:32:00 -0400

Mitochondria do more than power our cells: they shape how we think, feel, and experience the world. In this interview, Dr. Martin Picard breaks down his new research that illuminates how mitochondria affect brain energy, brain networks, mental health, and ultimately, our quality of life.

Dr. Picard walks us through his team's revolutionary brain mapping study, which examined over 700 sections of the human brain to uncover how mitochondria are distributed and specialized by brain region and cell type. The results have profound implications for how we understand, cognitive decline, and psychiatric disorders like depression bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why mitochondrial health is essential for brain function
How different brain regions rely on different types of mitochondria
Why people respond so differently to the same metabolic dysfunction
How future scans and biomarkers could help us measure brain energy non-invasively
What it means to think of ourselves as “energetic beings” rather than just biological machines

When it comes to metabolic psychiatry, mitochondria are a key player. This research is a huge step towards better understanding these tiny organelles and the role they play in mental health and cognitive function.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Martin Picard

x.com/MitoPsychoBio

picardlab.org

Resources Mentioned:

Three Ways to Keep Your Mitochondria Healthy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3dhmMcj17w&t=159s

A human brain map of mitochondrial respiratory capacity and diversity

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08740-6

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

Can Creatine Help with Depression? Exploring the Science with Dr. Nick Fabiano

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 16:40:00 -0400

Creatine isn’t just for gym gains, it supports your brain too!

Creatine is best known for boosting physical performance, but research has also identified its ability to improve areas of cognitive function like memory and mood.

Research suggests that when creatine is used alongside first-line treatments, like antidepressants and CBT, it may enhance therapeutic outcomes, leading to faster and more robust improvements in symptoms.

In this interview, Dr. Nick Fabiano, a psychiatry resident and researcher at the University of Ottawa, joins Metabolic Mind to explore the emerging evidence behind creatine as a potential tool for improving mood and supporting mental health.

In this episode we dive into:

What creatine is and how it works in the body and brain
The growing body of research linking creatine to improvements in depression symptoms
How creatine may enhance energy metabolism in the brain—a key focus of metabolic psychiatry
Its synergy with other treatments, including SSRIs and cognitive behavioral therapy
Practical considerations around dosing, diet, and safety
The difference between dietary and supplemental creatine
Creatine & sleep deprivation

Creatine is a well-studied, widely available supplement, and its low risk profile makes it an intriguing candidate for further exploration in psychiatric care. While more research is needed, this conversation is a hopeful and informed look at a promising metabolic intervention.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Nick Fabiano

X: https://x.com/NTFabiano?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

Resources Mentioned:

Dietary creatine intake and depression risk among U.S. adults

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-020-0741-x

A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Creatine Monohydrate Augmentation for Enhanced Response to a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor in Women With Major Depressive Disorder

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12010009

Efficacy and safety profile of oral creatine monohydrate in add-on to cognitive-behavioural therapy in depression: An 8-week pilot, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled feasibility and exploratory trial in an under-resourced area

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.10.004

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

Can Keto Help Pediatric Bipolar? Groundbreaking Trial Begins

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 18:32:00 -0400

The first-ever clinical trial of ketogenic therapy for pediatric bipolar disorder is now enrolling.

In March, we announced two new initiatives funded by the Baszucki Group aiming to explore ketogenic metabolic therapy in pediatric bipolar patients.

The first major initiative—now actively enrolling participants—is a multi-site clinical trial conducted by four institutions within the Baszucki Group-funded Child and Adolescent Bipolar Network (CABIN): the UCLA Semel Institute, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

In this video, Dr. David Miklowitz, a renowned expert in adolescent bipolar disorder and the study’s lead investigator, joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss the new trial.

As a Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute and Senior Clinical Research Fellow at Oxford University, Dr. Miklowitz brings decades of insight to the discussion. Together, they explore the design and objectives of this groundbreaking study and share how families in Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Denver, and Pittsburgh can take part in this important research effort aimed at transforming outcomes for young people living with bipolar disorder.

In this interview you’ll learn:

✅ The challenges of diagnosing bipolar disorder in kids and teens

✅ How family involvement impacts long-term outcomes

✅ Why standard treatment approaches may not always work for adolescents

✅ The potential benefits of ketogenic therapy as an adjunctive treatment

For those interested in enrolling in the study, visit the link below to learn more about the study, the participant criteria, and how to enroll!

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06920940?term=miklowitz&rank=1

Expert Featured:

Dr. David Miklowitz

https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/david-miklowitz

Resources Mentioned:

Living Well with Bipolar Disorder by Dr. David Miklowitz

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

Can Ketogenic Therapy Help Autism and Mental Health? | Dr. Eline Dekeyster on Mechanisms & Hope

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:10:00 -0400

Could ketogenic therapy change the future of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treatment?

The CDC estimates that 1 in 36 children are affected by ASD but due to the wide variety of signs and symptoms associated, it’s likely that this doesn’t account for everyone impacted. And treatment options are scarce and vary in effectiveness.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Eline Dekeyster, Assistant Professor at Leiden University and Head of the Lifestyle Brain Interaction research group, to explore how nutritional ketosis may support individuals with autism and other brain-based conditions.

Dr. Dekeyster brings a rare blend of personal insight and scientific expertise. She opens up about her own experience with mood disorders and how ketosis helped shift her mental energy, leading her to dedicate her research to metabolic psychiatry.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

The early but promising evidence supporting ketogenic therapy in autism spectrum disorder
The metabolic and neurological mechanisms involved
A real-life case of a child with ASD whose symptoms improved on a ketogenic diet and the troubling response from the medical system
The challenges and strategies around adherence to ketogenic interventions in neurodivergent populations
Dr. Dekeyster’s vision for a collaborative, individualized care model that includes dietary, medical, and emotional support

While more research is needed to fully understand the impact of nutritional therapies for autism spectrum disorder, ketogenic therapy may offer meaningful hope to individuals and families navigating the challenges of ASD today.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Eline Dekeyster

https://www.instagram.com/lbi.research/

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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.

How This Doctor Put Over 150 Patients into Diabetes Remission

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:16:00 -0400

Can type 2 diabetes be reversed, eliminating the need for medications with completely normal blood sugar levels?

For decades, type 2 diabetes has been considered a chronic, progressive conditions and the standard approach has been to just manage it to slow it down. But what if remission was possible?

Dr. David Unwin, a UK-based NHS physician, has demonstrated how low-carb and ketogenic interventions can lead to drug-free diabetes remission. His work has transformed patient outcomes and challenged conventional medical guidelines.

In this interview, Dr. Unwin shares how he has helped over 150 patients achieve drug-free remission using a low-carb ketogenic approach. We also cover:

🔹 The science behind reversing type 2 diabetes

🔹 How his NHS clinic has achieved one of the highest diabetes remission rates in the world

🔹 The role of real-world data in changing medical practice

🔹 The resistance from traditional healthcare and how to overcome it

🔹 Why media coverage and patient success stories are crucial for spreading awareness

🔹 Practical tips for patients and doctors interested in metabolic health

Dr. Unwin's research-backed approach challenges conventional wisdom and offers a hopeful alternative for those struggling with metabolic conditions.

Join Dr. Bret Scher as he and Dr. Unwin dive into the science, data, and real-world applications of ketogenic therapy not just for diabetes, but for metabolic and mental health as well.

#MetabolicHealth #KetogenicTherapy #DiabetesRemission

Expert Featured:

Dr. David Unwin

X: https://x.com/lowcarbgp?lang=en

Resources Mentioned

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

The Truth About Evidence-Based Medicine with Dr. Gordon Guyatt

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 12:06:00 -0400

Not all medical research is created equal, so how do we know which studies to trust?

The phrase evidence-based medicine (EBM) is often misunderstood and misused. What does it truly mean to rely on evidence in clinical decision-making?

Dr. Gordon Guyatt, the father of the term evidence-based medicine, explains how to assess scientific studies, understand the strength of different types of evidence, and apply findings to clinical decisions.

Want to make better-informed health decisions? This interview will help you learn how to critically assess medical evidence for yourself. In this conversation, Dr. Guyatt breaks down:

✅ Why some studies are more trustworthy than others✅ The limitations of observational studies in nutrition and medicine✅ How the GRADE framework categorizes evidence from high to low certainty

✅ How to critically assess nutrition and mental health research

✅ The importance of patient values in clinical decision-making

As new chronic disease treatments emerge from rapidly evolving research, understanding the quality of evidence is more important than ever. The ability to distinguish robust data from weak correlations isn’t just a skill—it’s essential for making informed, effective decisions in patient care.

#MetabolicMind #EvidenceBasedMedicine #MedicalResearch #NutritionScience #GRADEMethod #HealthDecisions

Expert Featured:

Dr. Gordon Guyatt, MD

Resources Mentioned:

Core GRADE Workshop

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

Exciting New Research on Keto for Pediatric Mental Health

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 12:59:00 -0400

Can the ketogenic diet help kids with bipolar disorder? We are excited to announce new research is finally exploring this question.

The ketogenic diet was first discovered over 100 years ago for children with epilepsy. Could ketogenic therapy also improve mental health outcomes for youth with serious conditions like bipolar disorder? Dr. Kirk Nylen joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss two groundbreaking studies underway that are tackling this question head-on.

In this episode, they dive into:

🔬 The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Network (CABIN) study – a multi-site RCT testing ketogenic therapy in pediatric bipolar disorder

🏥 Children’s Mental Health Resource Center (CMHRC) study – A real-world pilot study exploring the practical application of ketogenic interventions for kids with bipolar

🛠️ How data emerging from these studies could add new tools to clinicians' toolboxes

As the youth mental health epidemic continues to rise, we must continue to pursue better solutions. We are hopeful that this research will not only expand treatment options but also inspire more pediatric clinicians to consider the powerful role ketogenic therapy can play in improving mental health outcomes for children.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Kirk Nylen, PhD

Managing Director of Neuroscience as Baszucki Group

Resources Mentioned

Children’s Mental Health Resource Center

https://cmhrc.org

CMEs Mentioned

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction to ketogenic interventions for pediatrics and Kirk Nylen, PhD.
2:17 - The history of ketogenic therapies in pediatrics. How safe are ketogenic therapies for children?
6:37 - Bipolar study on children: background of the Child Bipolar Network study. How are they testing and what are they looking for?
10:11 - How does the Children’s Mental Health Resource Center address the gaps in pediatric bipolar research?
13:25 - Summary of the state of research on ketogenic therapies for bipolar in children and what questions remain.

How I Overcame "Treatment-Resistant" Mental Illness: Laura Delano’s Journey

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:51:43 -0400

Can you safely taper off psychiatric medications? And what are the potential harms of long-term psychiatric care?

Laura Delano spent years as a professional patient, navigating psychiatric diagnoses, multiple medications, and a life defined by treatment.

In this interview, Laura discusses her 13-year experience as a psychiatric patient, the impact of long-term medication use, and how she took control of her health to successfully taper off multiple psychiatric drugs.

Now, as the founder of Inner Compass Initiative and author of Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance (available March 18, 2025), she’s dedicated to helping others navigate informed choices about psychiatric medications, diagnoses, and withdrawal.

💡 In this episode, we cover:

✅ Laura’s personal story of polypharmacy and its effects

✅ The impact of long-term psychiatric medication

✅ The challenges of tapering and withdrawal

✅ How Laura has rebuilt her life beyond medications

✅ How Laura built a nonprofit to support others on the same path

✅ The role of diet, lifestyle, and community in mental health recovery

✅ Why informed consent is crucial for psychiatric treatment decisions

✅ The mission of Inner Compass Initiative

Laura’s new book Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance is available March 18, 2025.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This conversation includes discussion of suicidality and a suicide attempt. Please take care when watching.

#MentalHealth #Psychiatry #Deprescribing #PsychiatricMedication #Tapering #MetabolicPsychiatry

Expert Featured:

Laura Delano

Resources Mentioned:

Inner Compass Initiative

https://www.theinnercompass.org/

Laura’a New Book: Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance

https://www.amazon.com/Unshrunk-Story-Psychiatric-Treatment-Resistance/dp/1984880489

The Challenges of Going off Psychiatric Drugs

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/08/the-challenge-of-going-off-psychiatric-drugs

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

Exploring the Link Between Genetics and Brain Metabolism in Psychiatry with Dr. Harry Pantazopoulos

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 12:01:00 -0400

Brain Energy and metabolism appear to play critical roles in the development and treatment of psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. And emerging research suggests that our gene expression influences how our brain uses energy, thus linking the fields of genetics and metabolism.

In this episode, Dr. Harry Pantazopoulos, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss fascinating new research into the relationship between gene expression and metabolism in serious mental illness.

Dr. Pantazopoulos’ study reveals a fascinating insight: while metabolic dysfunction is a common feature of serious mental illnesses, each condition exhibits its own distinct patterns of altered gene expression that impacts metabolic function. This suggests that the underlying metabolic dysfunction in mental illness arises through different mechanisms unique to each disorder.

In this interview you will learn:

The benefits of studying metabolic function and gene expression of the amygdala Which genes show altered expression in each mental illness, and how these changes affect metabolism How shifting the brain’s energy source from glucose to ketones could offer a promising way to address changes in metabolic gene expression How these study findings could translate to targeted clinical care

Although these findings are not yet ready to directly influence clinical psychiatric care models, they provide a critical foundation for future research aimed at tailoring metabolic therapies to the unique needs of each individual.

Expert Featured:

Harry Pantazopoulos, MD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-pantazopoulos-04460413/

X: @HarryPantazopo1

Studies Mentioned:

Transcriptomic Analysis of the Amygdala in Subjects with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder Reveals Differentially Altered Metabolic Pathways

Differentially Altered Metabolic Pathways in the Amygdala of Subjects with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

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/

Personalized Psychiatry: Using Blood Tests to Find the Right Mental Health Treatment

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 10:16:00 -0400

Is psychiatry stuck in the 19th century? For decades, psychiatry has relied on trial and error but is there a better way to provide precise, personalized, and preventative treatment?

Dr. Alexander Niculescu, professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona and CEO of MindX Sciences, is at the cutting edge of transforming psychiatry into an objective, data-driven field. With blood tests evaluating specific biomarkers, doctors may now be able to measure mental health, better understand symptoms, and predict which treatments will work best.

In this conversation, Dr. Niculescu explains how his research is helping reshape how we diagnose and treat mental illness allowing for a more personalized approach and potentially better outcomes. He shares research demonstrating how utilizing biomarkers can allow practitioners to better understand the current state of a patient’s mental health to assist in prevention and tailor both medications and lifestyle interventions for better outcomes.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why psychiatry is still practiced like 19th-century medicine and how to modernize it
How blood tests can pinpoint the right treatment for a patient including lifestyle interventions, medication choice, and dosing
How blood tests can identify the nuanced difference between mental illnesses like depression and bipolar disorder at a biological level
Why these tests could be more reliable than genetic testing
How early screening could help prevent serious mental illness
The future of personalized lifestyle recommendations for mental health

At Metabolic Mind, we believe mental health care must evolve to incorporate metabolic interventions alongside innovative diagnostic tools. Our vision is a future where the metabolic health of every individual is assessed and addressed with evidence-based interventions, leading to improved mental health for all.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Alexander Niculescu

https://mindxsciences.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-niculescu-md-phd-b460a75/

Studies Mentioned:

Special Report: Precise, Personalized, and Preventive Psychiatry

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2024.12.12.27

CMEs Mentioned

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

Reversing Schizoaffective Disorder with Ketogenic Therapy: A Case Series

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 11:30:00 -0400

Is it possible for ketogenic therapy to significantly reduce schizoaffective symptoms in 2 weeks? What about putting symptoms into complete remission in 6 weeks?

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Nicole Laurent joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss her newly published case series showcasing the dramatic improvements in individuals with schizoaffective disorder using ketogenic metabolic therapy.

In this interview, Nicole shares:

The life-changing stories from the patients and their families
How she collaborated with healthcare teams to ensure better outcomes
How she determines the right type of ketogenic diet for each patient
The role of nutrient deficiencies and supplementation in treatment
How medications were handled and her perspective on medication changes with ketogenic therapy
The profound transformations in her patients’ lives, including returning to school and regaining independence

These stories offer hope and add to the growing evidence that ketogenic therapy can help individuals struggling with mental illness.

Want to hear more real-life experiences of people reclaiming their mental health through metabolic therapy? Hear from our community of experts by experience, including their challenges, setbacks, and successes on the path to recovery at metabolicmind.org/think-smart.

Expert Featured:

Nicole Laurent, LMHC

https://mentalhealthketo.com/

Founder and Medical Director of Mental Health KetoX: @KetoCounselor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlaurent/

Instagram: mentalhealthketo/

Studies Mentioned

Ketogenic metabolic therapy for schizoaffective disorder: a retrospective case series of psychotic symptom remission and mood recovery

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1506304

CMEs Mentioned

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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/

New Treatment For Bipolar: A New Ketogenic Therapy Study with Dr. Iain Campbell

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 17:16:50 -0400

Dr. Iain Campbell, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, discusses his groundbreaking pilot study on ketogenic therapy for bipolar disorder with Dr. Bret Scher. Having personally experienced the benefits of ketosis for his own bipolar type II depression, Dr. Campbell delves into the link between metabolic health and mental well-being.

Dr. Campbell shares how his recent study reveals a correlation between higher ketone levels and improvements in mood, energy, impulsivity, and anxiety in patients with bipolar disorder. He also highlights the intriguing brain imaging results that indicate reductions in brain glutamate, hinting at one of the potential mechanisms behind ketogenic therapy's effectiveness.

Key Topics Covered:

The correlation between ketone levels and mood stabilization
Dr. Campbell’s personal journey using ketogenic therapy for bipolar disorder
How ketosis impacts brain glutamate levels
The role of metabolic psychiatry in treating mental illness
The future of metabolic treatments at the newly established UK Metabolic Psychiatry Hub

Dr. Campbell's pioneering work at the Metabolic Psychiatry Hub is advancing the field of metabolic psychiatry by integrating research and treatment, demonstrating how ketogenic therapy can be a powerful tool for addressing both metabolic and mental health in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

New Study:

A Pilot Study of a Ketogenic Diet in Bipolar Disorder: Clinical, Metabolic and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Findings

https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2024.841

Experts Featured:

Dr. Iain Campbell

X: @IainCampbellPhD

www.metabolicpsychiatryhub.com

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:

How Ketones Support the Aging Brain & Psychiatric Meds disrupt brain energy - Dr. Stephen Cunnane

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:25:00 -0400

Do psychiatric medications alter brain energy and metabolic health?

Dr. Stephen Cunnane, a professor and researcher at the University of Sherbrooke, has been at the forefront of studying glucose and ketone metabolism in the aging brain, pioneering advanced imaging techniques to measure how the brain utilizes these critical energy sources with neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

While glucose PET imaging has long been used to study brain energy metabolism, Dr. Cunnane’s team was the first to develop ketone PET imaging, allowing researchers to look at the relationship between glucose and ketone metabolism in the brain and understand how ketones support brain function when it struggles to use glucose for energy.

Now, Dr. Cunnane has turned his attention to metabolic psychiatry and is working on a new study looking at brain energy metabolism in individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis. This study will allow researchers insights into the metabolic state of the brain at the onset of major mental illness and how psychiatric medications influence brain energy use.

In this episode, you will learn:

How the brain uses fuel as we age – Why glucose metabolism declines over time and how ketones may compensate in aging and neurodegenerative conditions.
The first ketone PET imaging studies – How Dr. Cunnane’s team developed a method to directly measure ketone uptake in the brain and compare it to glucose metabolism
Psychosis and brain energy metabolism – Examining glucose and ketone utilization in first-episode psychosis before and after antipsychotic treatment.
Carbohydrate reduction in older adults – Findings from a study showing how moderate carb restriction improved metabolic and mental health in retirement home residents independent of weight loss.
Parkinson’s disease and ketones – Investigating how exercise, exogenous ketones, and carbohydrate restriction may enhance brain energy supply and improve symptoms.

Dr. Cunnane has been a pioneer in the field of ketogenic therapy and brain energy. In addition to all the incredible work he is doing in the aging brain, we are excited to see his new research focusing on such critical components of metabolic psychiatry.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Stephen Cunnane

https://recherche-cerveau-sherbrooke.ca/en/laboratory-team/

Studies Mentioned

A reduced carbohydrate diet improves glycemic regulation in hyperglycemic older people in a retirement home: the SAGE study

https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2024-0277

Resources Mentioned

Brain Research Team Website

https://recherche-cerveau-sherbrooke.ca/en/

Revolutionizing Assisted Living: Hal Cranmer's Ketogenic & Carnivore Approach to Senior Wellness

https://youtu.be/s86CFw0qhVc?feature=shared

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 athttps://metabolicmind.org/

How to Decode Nutrition Studies: Make Sense of Research Strength and Quality with Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 13:28:00 -0400

How can we make sense of conflicting studies? One paper suggests a ketogenic diet reduces all-cause mortality, while another claims it raises blood pressure. Are large-scale survey tools like NHANES—the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey—really the best way to answer these complex questions?

In this insightful interview, Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota, an internal medicine clinician, educator, and data enthusiast, explains how to critically evaluate research findings. He highlights the strengths and limitations of different types of studies, using engaging analogies to help you better understand when and how to apply research conclusions.

In this video you’ll learn:

The importance of choosing the right tool (study) for the task Strengths and weaknesses of large population studies like NHANES Practical advice for interpreting conflicting health and nutrition research

If you're passionate about understanding health research and making evidence-based decisions, this interview is a must-watch!

Expert Featured:

Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota

X: @AdrianSotoMota

Studies Mentioned

Ketogenic diets are associated with an elevated risk of hypertension: Insights from a cross-sectional analysis of the NHANES 2007–2018

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcrp.2024.200342

Comparing Very Low-Carbohydrate vs DASH Diets for Overweight or Obese Adults With Hypertension and Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Trial

https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2968

The ketogenic diet has the potential to decrease all-cause mortality without a concomitant increase in cardiovascular-related mortality

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73384-x

CMEs Mentioned

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more insights and education from Dr. Bret Scher, including interviews with leading experts in metabolic psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/.

About us

Is a Ketogenic Diet Effective For Adolescent Mental Health?

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:46:00 -0400

Pediatric and adolescent mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD, are reaching alarming levels and affecting millions worldwide. While the causes are still being explored, one potential contributing factor is the rising metabolic health epidemic, fueled by a harmful food environment.

With current treatment options often coming with challenging side effects and failing to provide lasting relief, many families are turning to innovative, evidence-based solutions to support their children’s well-being and long-term development.

In this interview, Dr. Lori Calabrese, a board-certified psychiatrist, shares her pioneering work in youth mental health care and discusses her experiences implementing ketogenic therapies in children and young adults.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

What’s the difference between ketogenic therapy for adults vs. children?
How to introduce ketogenic therapy to children and young adults
The importance of having families on board with ketogenic therapy
How to help children and young adults adhere to ketogenic therapies

Everyone deserves access to better mental health care, especially the young minds that hold the future to our society.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Lori Calabrese

X: @loricalabresemd

LoriCalabreseMD.com

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.

Keto for Women: Insights on Hormones, PCOS, Menopause, and more from the SHE IS Lab with Dr. Madison Kackley

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 13:52:00 -0400

How Is a ketogenic diet different for women, and what impact does a ketogenic diet have on women’s hormones? The ketogenic diet sparks a lot of questions when it comes to women’s health—and for good reason. Social media and the internet are flooded with conflicting information. Fortunately, Dr. Madison Kackley, a research scientist at Ohio State University, brings evidence-based insights in this episode. As the leader of the SHE IS Laboratory, Dr. Kackley and her team are uncovering the unique ways ketogenic interventions can impact women’s health, considering crucial factors like hormonal fluctuations, menstrual cycles, and key life stages such as postpartum and perimenopause.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Insights from the SHE IS Lab on ketogenic therapies for PCOS, postpartum depression, perimenopause, and more.
How ketogenic therapies are helping restore menstrual cycles and improve hormonal health.
The importance of personalized approaches and cycle tracking in women's health research.
When ketone supplements may be beneficial for women’s health.
How to adjust exercise and nutrition for different stages of the menstrual cycle.

Join us as Dr. Kackley shares her passion for addressing the gaps in women-specific health studies and the promising future of metabolic-based interventions for women’s health.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Madison Kackley

X: @KackleyMLPhD

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more insights and education from Dr. Bret Scher, including interviews with leading experts in metabolic psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/.

About us:

Why Mental Health Care Is Failing & What We Can Do About It with Dr. Chris Palmer

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 13:18:00 -0400

Mental health care is at a critical crossroads. Millions of people are searching for effective treatments, yet conventional options often fall short, leaving many without significant or lasting relief. Compounding this issue is the lack of funding directed toward exploring novel, root-cause therapies. The urgency for change is clear.

Dr. Chris Palmer, a Harvard psychiatrist and the author of Brain Energy, has been instrumental in raising awareness about the metabolic nature of mental illness. His pioneering work highlights how conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia often stem from underlying metabolic dysfunctions, including glucose hypometabolism, neurotransmitter imbalances, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

In this interview, Dr. Palmer dives into the science behind mental illnesses and shares groundbreaking insights into how ketogenic therapy is changing lives.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

Why the current mental health system struggles to provide effective care How ketogenic therapies and lifestyle changes are reshaping psychiatry The role of mitochondria and metabolism in brain health The urgent need for research on tapering medications safely The current state of mental health research funding and the path towards systemic change Why mental illness should be viewed as a systemic condition, not just a brain disorder

This conversation highlights the urgent need for change in psychiatry, how metabolic therapies are offering new hope for those living with mental illness, and the path towards more effective evidence based care and better patient outcomes.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Chris Palmer

X: @ChrisPalmerMD

www.ChrisPalmerMD.com

Purchase Brain Energy: https://brainenergy.com/#order-window

Studies Mentioned

Beyond comorbidities: metabolic dysfunction as a root cause of neuropsychiatric disorders

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-advances/article/abs/beyond-comorbidities-metabolic-dysfunction-as-a-root-cause-of-neuropsychiatric-disorders/9B7489EF96DCA9F41005DD7E61B27023

The Ketogenic Diet as a Transdiagnostic Treatment for Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Mechanisms and Clinical Outcomes

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40501-024-00339-4

CMEs Mentioned

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

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.

Revolutionizing Assisted Living: Hal Cranmer's Ketogenic & Carnivore Approach to Senior Wellness

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:19:00 -0400

What comes to mind when you think of assisted living? Likely not vibrant residents, nutritious meals, and improved physical and mental health—but Hal Cranmer is working to change that narrative.

In this inspiring interview, Hal shares how his innovative approach to senior care integrates ketogenic and carnivore nutrition to boost activity, memory, and overall well-being in his facilities.

Dive into the secrets of Hal’s success and learn how he’s transforming the lives of seniors by prioritizing health and vitality. If you’re passionate about holistic health or senior wellness, this is a story you won’t want to miss!

Expert Featured:

Hal Cranmer

https://aparadiseforparents.com/

X: @HalCranmer

Instagram: @assisted_living_hal_cranmer

Follow our channel for more insights and education from Dr. Bret Scher, including interviews with leading experts in metabolic psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/.

About us

Exercise as a Prescription for Depression with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 13:39:00 -0400

How effective is exercise for treating depression, and how can we help more people use it as a cornerstone of treatment?

The last decade we have seen mounting evidence that exercise can play a big role in mental health through a variety of mechanisms.

In this interview, Dr. Nick Fabiano, a psychiatry resident and researcher, shares his innovative approach to using exercise as a therapeutic intervention, drawing from his recent co-authored paper.

In this interview you’ll learn:

Why exercise is comparable to antidepressants and therapy in treating mild to moderate depression.
How a holistic, lifestyle-based approach can complement traditional treatments.
The mechanisms linking exercise to improved mental health, including metabolic health benefits and social interaction.
How to personalize exercise prescriptions for individuals based on their physical and mental health needs.
Challenges of integrating exercise into psychiatric care

Movement is a core pillar of our THINK + SMART program, embodying the 'M' in the acronym. Exercise not only has the remarkable ability to provide an immediate boost to mood and mental clarity but also fosters long-term adaptations that support both metabolic and mental health. As the field of metabolic psychiatry continues to grow, we are optimistic that exercise will become a foundational component in the standard of care for mental health treatment.

Expert Featured:

Nicholas Fabiano, MD

X: @NTFabiano

Studies Mentioned:

How to Prescribe Physical Activity for Depression

*https://doi.org/10.1024/2674-0052/a000099**

Importance of Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type (FITT) in Physical Activity Assessment for Epidemiological Research

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404889

The Effect of Exercise on Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.071

CMEs Mentioned

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more insights and education from Dr. Bret Scher, including interviews with leading experts in metabolic psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/.

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.

The 2025 Dietary Guidelines with Nina Teicholz: A Turning Point for Public Health?

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 16:26:53 -0400

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) have the potential to shape the health of millions, but are they based on outdated or flawed evidence? In this powerful interview, Dr. Bret Scher and investigative journalist Nina Teicholz expose the controversial history of dietary policy, challenge the methodology of the DGA Advisory Committee, and discuss the urgent need for change to address rising rates of metabolic and mental health disorders. And they try to answer the burning question from the guidelines: Will eating more beans, peas, and lentils make all of us healthier?

What you will learn in this interview:

What is the importance of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans?
How is the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee committee selected?
How is the DGA created and what is the quality of evidence?
What are the conflicts of interest in current and past DGA committees?
How are decades-old biases shaping current dietary policies?
How is the DGA failing to consider individual needs?
What do we know about the upcoming 2025 DGA?
What are we hoping for in the upcoming 2025 Dietary Guidelines?

This timely discussion brings both hope and urgency as they address the question: Will the next guidelines reflect the latest research or continue to steer us in the wrong direction?

Expert Featured:

Nina Teicholz

X: @bigfatsurprise

IG: @ninateicholz

Substack: https://unsettledscience.substack.com/

Publications Mentioned

Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/2025-advisory-committee-report

Redesigning the Process for Establishing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK469833/

Report: Nearly Half of Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Have Conflicts of Interest

https://usrtk.org/investigations/dietary-guidelines-advisory-committee-conflicts/

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.

How Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) Improve Metabolic and Mental Health

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 13:19:00 -0400

Learn how Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) can transform your metabolic and mental health. In this video, we dive into the benefits and debates surrounding CGMs, highlighting their role in managing blood sugar, making informed lifestyle choices, and enhancing overall well-being. *Key Topics Covered* • What are Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)? • How CGMs can help improve metabolic health • Important considerations and potential drawbacks of using CGMs • Tips for getting the most out of your CGM experience Whether you're new to CGMs or already using them, this is your guide to understanding their impact on your health journey. Resources: Metabolic Mind’s Families & Peers page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Clinician Directory: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicHealth#Insulin#CGM

How Your Microbiome Shapes Your Body and Mind with Dr. Jack Gilbert

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:36:00 -0400

Dr. Bret Scher interviews Dr. Jack Gilbert—renowned microbiome scientist, author of Dirt Is Good, and featured expert in the Netflix documentary Hack Your Health—to explore the profound connections between the microbiome, metabolism, mental health, and overall wellness.
Dr. Gilbert shares cutting-edge insights into how the 40 trillion microbes in our gut influence everything from inflammation to brain health, and how personalized strategies may hold the key to treating chronic illnesses and improving quality of life.
What You'll Learn The role of the microbiome in metabolic and mental health How diet and lifestyle shape your gut bacteria Surprising links between exercise, mitochondria, and the microbiome Emerging research on fecal transplants and their transformative potential Why personalized nutrition might be the future of healthcare
Experts Featured Dr. Jack Gilbert X: @gilbertjacka LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackagilbert/ Gilbert Lab: https://gilbertlab.ucsd.edu/ Dirt is Good: https://www.amazon.com/Dirt-Good-Advantage-Childs-Developing/dp/1250132606 Hack Your Health: https://www.netflix.com/title/81436688
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.

Tapering Psychiatric Medications Safely: Insights with Dr. Josef

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:32:00 -0400

Dr. Bret Scher interviews Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in tapering and deprescribing psychiatric medications. Dr. Josef combines his expertise in pharmaceutical safety, clinical psychiatry, and metabolic therapies to help patients safely transition off long-term medications. Topics Covered Life-Changing Outcomes Discover how Dr. Josef’s holistic methods have empowered individuals like Trudy, who transitioned from years of debilitating medications to pursuing a career in medical school through targeted dietary and metabolic interventions. Rethinking Psychiatric Medications Dr. Josef discusses the complex nature of antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. Learn how their effects can mask symptoms without addressing root causes and the challenges of long-term use, including tolerance, side effects, and withdrawal. The Role of Metabolic Therapies Hear about the surprising success stories of patients who used dietary changes like ketogenic or gluten-free diets to overcome severe mental health conditions, reduce medication reliance, and regain their quality of life. Deprescribing in Practice Dr. Josef shares his patient-led approach to tapering medications, including practical tips on dosage reduction, liquid formulations, and the importance of balancing withdrawal risks with ongoing medication effects. Dr. Josef’s message challenges conventional psychiatry by prioritizing patient-centered care and exploring innovative therapies that focus on the root causes of mental health challenges. This conversation provides hope and practical insights for individuals and clinicians navigating the complexities of psychiatric medication. Experts Featured Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring Taper Clinic https://taperclinic.com/dr-josef-witt-doerring/ X: @taperclinic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taperclinic/ 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #MetabolicPsychiatry#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #KetogenicTherapy#KetoForMentalHealth#Keto#TaperingMedications #Deprescribing

Ketogenic Diets in Alcohol Addiction: Breakthrough Research with Dr. Wiers

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 10:30:00 -0400

In this interview with Dr. Bret Scher, Dr. Corinde Wiers, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, unveils her groundbreaking research on using ketogenic therapy to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD). Dr. Wiers dives into how ketones, as an alternative energy source, may alleviate withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and transform the landscape of addiction recovery. This conversation covers: The science of brain energy metabolism and how ketones are preferred over glucose in AUD. Results from clinical trials, including reductions in withdrawal severity and the need for benzodiazepines. Neuroimaging data that shows how ketogenic diets affect the brain's reward system and craving mechanisms. The broader implications of metabolic therapies for treating mood disorders, addiction, and brain health. Dr. Wiers shares her journey from studying alcohol use disorders in Europe to leading cutting-edge research in the U.S. She provides insights into the challenges and opportunities of integrating metabolic therapies into mainstream mental health and addiction treatment. Experts Featured Dr. Corinde Wiers X: @CorindeW LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinde-wiers-479a9219/ https://www.med.upenn.edu/csa/corindewiers.html Resources: Ketogenic diet reduces alcohol withdrawal symptoms in humans and alcohol intake in rodents https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33837086/ 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis

#AlternativeTreatment

#PsychiatricMedication#KetogenicTherapy #KetoforAlcoholUseDisorder

#AlcoholUseDisorder

Whole-Person Care for Mental Health: Dr. Scott Fears on Amae Health’s Approach

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 21:28:00 -0400

Join us as we delve into the transformative potential of metabolic psychiatry with Dr. Scott Fears, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at Amae Health. In this comprehensive interview, Dr. Fears explores how ketogenic therapy, dietary adjustments, and personalized metabolic approaches are reshaping mental health treatment. He discusses ketosis as a therapeutic tool, its impact on mood and cognitive stability, deprescribing medications, and the potential of "food as medicine" to support mental well-being. Whether you're a mental health professional, someone exploring alternative mental health treatments, or simply interested in the intersection of nutrition and mental health, this interview offers valuable insights into metabolic psychiatry's potential to create a new standard for mental health care. Experts Featured Scott Fears, MD, PhD Chief Medical Officer, Amae Health https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-c-fears-99b8b14/ https://amaehealth.com/ 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #KetogenicTherapy#KetoForMentalHealth #Alzheimers#Dementia#Keto

Why Body Composition Matters More Than Weight Loss: A Ketogenic Approach with Dr. Bret Scher

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 12:54:00 -0400

In this video, we tackle a common misconception: that losing weight alone will make you healthier. Contrary to popular belief, simply reducing the number on the scale may not lead to better health outcomes. Instead, it's crucial to focus on losing fat mass, maintaining or building lean mass like muscle and bone, and improving your overall metabolic health. We dive deep into how medications like Wegovy and Ozempic—while popular for weight loss—don't differentiate between fat and muscle loss, which can be crucial for long-term health. We'll also explore the growing evidence supporting ketogenic diets for their ability to promote fat loss while preserving muscle mass, making them a compelling option for improving body composition. Watch this video to understand how optimizing your body composition, rather than just losing weight, can lead to sustainable health benefits. *Papers Mentioned* _Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity_ https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183 _Body Composition Changes After Very-Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet in Obesity Evaluated by 3 Standardized Methods_ https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/102/2/488/2972058?login=false _Long-Term Effects of a Novel Continuous Remote Care Intervention Including Nutritional Ketosis for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A 2-Year Non-randomized Clinical Trial_ https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2019.00348/full *Resources* Metabolic Mind’s Families & Peers page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Clinician Directory: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#Ozempic #BodyRecomposition #KetoWeightLoss

How to Taper Psychiatric Medications Safely: Expert Advice on Med Management with Dr. Lori Calabrese

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 13:08:00 -0400

In this video, psychiatrist Dr. Lori Calabrese provides essential guidance on medication management, focusing on the nuanced process of tapering and deprescribing psychiatric medications. As individuals seek alternatives or adjustments to their mental health treatments, understanding how to navigate medication changes safely is critically important. Dr. Calabrese discusses the complexities involved in reducing or discontinuing medications and covers crucial topics like personalized tapering strategies, the risks and benefits of deprescribing, and how to manage potential withdrawal symptoms. If you or someone you know is contemplating changes to their psychiatric medication, this video provides valuable insights into how to approach this sensitive process. With a focus on achieving stability and well-being, Dr. Calabrese’s approach to medication management is grounded in safety, compassion, and careful planning. *Experts Featured* Lori Calabrese, MD Board-certified Psychiatrist, Innovative Psychiatry https://www.loricalabresemd.com/ 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #KetogenicTherapy#KetoForMentalHealth#MedicationTapering#PsychMeds

How a Keto Diet Impacts Psychiatric Meds: Insights from Metabolic Psychiatry with Dr. Deanna Kelly

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 12:39:00 -0400

How does the food we eat impact the way our bodies absorb and metabolize medications? What do we have to be aware of if we are eating a low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet, and how it’s going to impact so many of the medications people with mental illness are taking? In this engaging interview with psychopharmacology expert Dr. Deanna Kelly, you’ll learn how the food you eat can influence the effectiveness of mental health medications such as Cobenfy and the extended-release form of Quetiapine, where absorption rates are affected by high-fat meals. Dr. Kelly shares valuable insights on optimizing psychiatric care with individualized approaches, revealing practical tips for patients and practitioners alike. This conversation is essential viewing for those interested in the latest strategies in metabolic psychiatry and the powerful role of nutrition in mental health care. *Experts featured* Deanna L. Kelly, PharmD, BCPP https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/kelly-deanna/ X: @ProfDeannaK https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-l-kelly-pharmd-bcpp-3a8b299b/ *Related Publications* _Dietary Influence on Drug Efficacy: A Comprehensive Review of Ketogenic Diet–Pharmacotherapy Interactions_ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11054576/ *Related Videos* https://youtu.be/tzPlQ6dJwe8 *Sign Dr. Christopher Palmer’s Petition to Reinstate the Study* https://bit.ly/3Ap8Oe4 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 #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#KetogenicTherapy#Depression#Schizophrenia#Keto#PsychMeds

How to Determine Optimal Ketone Levels for Ketogenic Therapy with Dr. Bret Scher

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 13:40:00 -0400

Are you using a ketogenic diet for therapy and need to know the ideal ketone levels for success? In this video, we explain how to measure ketone levels to optimize your ketogenic diet for managing psychiatric disorders, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and other metabolic conditions. One of the unique benefits of a ketogenic diet is the ability to precisely track your body's response. But what should your target ketone level be? We tackle the most common questions and provide insights on how to set and achieve your optimal ketone level for the best therapeutic outcomes. Whether you're new to ketogenic therapy or looking to fine-tune your approach, this video offers valuable guidance to help you make the most of your ketogenic journey. *Related Videos* https://youtu.be/Hja4VURshKA?si=Pb3oRkz346PIQIrg https://youtu.be/4iMXUpLYLkk?si=cflmb65ApVjVXmzw https://youtu.be/l5j4YMkPUU8?si=X5yLzia5izONBZv9 *Studies Mentioned* _Effectiveness and Safety of a Novel Care Model for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes at 1 Year: An Open-Label, Non-Randomized, Controlled Study_ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13300-018-0373-9 _Long-Term Effects of a Novel Continuous Remote Care Intervention Including Nutritional Ketosis for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A 2-Year Non-randomized Clinical Trial_ https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2019.00348/full _Ketogenic Diet Intervention on Metabolic and Psychiatric Health in Bipolar and Schizophrenia: A Pilot Trial_ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178124001513?via%3Dihub *Note* - Publication of the following study is pending. The link below is to a pre-print. _A Pilot Study of a Ketogenic Diet in Bipolar Disorder: Clinical, Metabolic and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Findings_ https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.10.23.23297391v2 *Resources* Metabolic Mind’s Familes & Peers page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Clinician Directory: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicHealth#KetoneLevels#KetoForMentalHealth#Ketosis

Why Healthcare Reform Needs a New Focus with Dr. Martin Makary

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:07:00 -0400

In this insightful interview, Dr. Marty Makary speaks candidly about pressing issues within the U.S. healthcare system. He addresses how current debates often divert attention from core challenges, framing healthcare as a divisive landscape when the real focus should be on patient-centered care and meaningful provider support. Dr. Makary calls on policymakers and leaders to look past polarizing discussions and work toward reforms that prioritize quality, accessibility, and integrity in practice. Watch as he delves into the testimony of healthcare professionals and advocates who, for the first time, shared their insights directly with national leaders in a recent Senate hearing. This is a powerful moment for those committed to bridging the gap between healthcare policies and the actual needs of patients and providers. Join us for a closer look at what meaningful change could look like in our healthcare system. *Expert Featured* Martin Makary, MD, MPH X: @MartyMakary https://www.linkedin.com/in/martymakary/ _Blind Spots: When Medicine Gets It Wrong, and What It Means for Our Health_ : https://a.co/d/eQafyeh 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 #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#HealthReform#HealthPolicy

Treating Type 1 Diabetes and Depression with a Ketogenic Diet | Lisa La Nasa’s Journey

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 12:24:00 -0400

In this powerful and insightful interview, Lisa La Nasa, the founder of diaVerge Diabetes, shares her personal journey of living with type 1 diabetes for over 14 years. Despite following her doctor's advice, Lisa struggled to control her blood sugar levels—until she discovered the benefits of a low-carb, ketogenic diet. This dietary change, along with lifestyle adjustments, gave her the control and confidence she never thought possible. Lisa reflects on the life-changing impact of adopting a ketogenic diet, which empowered her to take charge of her health, and finally find an approach that managed her diabetes. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and don't forget to like and subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights on ketogenic therapy. *Featured* Lisa La Nasa Founder and CEO, diaVerge https://www.diaverge.com/ *Resources* Metabolic Mind’s Families & Peers page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Clinician Directory: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory 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 #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#Diabetes#LowCarbDiet#DiabetesManagement

Can Keto Help Treat Bipolar & Schizophrenia? A New Trial Explores Its Potential

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:19:00 -0400

This interview highlights the latest research from a powerhouse team of Australian experts who are investigating the potential of ketogenic diets to treat serious mental illness like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Dr. Zoltán Sarnyai, Dr. Carlo Longhitano, and dietitian Jaymee-Leigh Swift share insights into their new randomized controlled trial, comparing the effects of a ketogenic diet with Australia's standard healthy eating guidelines. If you found this discussion insightful, don't forget to comment below with your thoughts, like the video, and subscribe for more content on the connection between diet and mental health! *Featured Study* https://nqdit.com.au/ *Experts Featured* Dr. Zoltán Sarnyai X: @ZSarnyai https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoltan-sarnyai-86555566/ Dr. Carlo Longhitano X: @doncaloger0 https://www.linkedin.com/in/calogero-longhitano-44879544/ Jaymee-Leigh Swift https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymee-leigh-swift/ *Related Papers* _The effects of ketogenic metabolic therapy on mental health and metabolic outcomes in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a randomized controlled clinical trial protocol_ https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1444483/full Resources: Metabolic Mind’s Families & Peers page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Clinician Directory: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#Keto#KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicHealth

Carnivore Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: New Source of Hope? With Nick Norwitz, PhD

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 12:13:00 -0400

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 benefits for those suffering from IBD. We also explore the broader implications of how we interpret dietary studies and the impact of IBD on mental health. Join us as we examine this hopeful new frontier in metabolic health and what it could mean for those battling severe IBD symptoms. *Featured Paper* _Case report: Carnivore–ketogenic diet for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: a case series of 10 patients_ https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1467475/full *Experts Featured* Nick Norwitz, PhD X: @nicknorwitz https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicknorwitz/ https://www.youtube.com/@nicknorwitzPhD https://staycuriousmetabolism.substack.com/ Resources: Metabolic Mind’s Families & Peers page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Clinician Directory: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#IBD#Carnivore#InflammatoryBowelDisease

Safe Tapering Practices for Anti-Depressants with Dr. Mark Horowitz

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 12:12:00 -0400

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 current psychiatric guidelines may fall short in helping people safely taper. Dr. Horowitz emphasizes the importance of individualized tapering plans and the need for slower, more gradual reductions in medication, challenging the traditional approach of quick tapers over a few weeks. *Key Topics Covered* • The difference between withdrawal symptoms and relapse • The effects of long-term antidepressant use • Dr. Horowitz’s personal experience with tapering off Lexapro • The role of clinicians and peer support in the de-prescribing process *Experts Featured* Dr. Mark Horowitz X: @markhoro https://markhorowitz.org/ Resources: Safe tapering resources: https://www.outro.com/ _The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines: Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Gabapentinoids and Z-drugs (The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines Series)_ https://www.amazon.com/Maudsley-Guidelines-prescribing-Prescribing/dp/111982298X Metabolic Mind’s Families & Peers page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Clinician Directory: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#PsychiatricMedication#KetogenicTherapy #Tapering#Deprescribing

How Ketosis Affects Health and Longevity: Expert Insights from Isabella Cooper, PhD

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 12:21:00 -0400

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 can influence your overall health. Learn about the molecular components that truly matter when optimizing your metabolic state and achieving sustainable health outcomes. Tune in to explore the fascinating world of metabolic health with Dr. Isabella Cooper and uncover practical tips for enhancing your ketogenic journey! *Experts Featured* Isabella Cooper, PhD University of Westminster https://www.foreveryounggroup.com/ https://www.facebook.com/bellamitochondria X: @I_mitochondria *Related Papers* _Ketosis Suppression and Ageing (KetoSAge): The Effects of Suppressing Ketosis in Long Term Keto-Adapted Non-Athletic Females_ https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/21/15621 _Ketosis Suppression and Ageing (KetoSAge) Part 2: The Effect of Suppressing Ketosis on Biomarkers Associated with Ageing, HOMA-IR, Leptin, Osteocalcin, and GLP-1, in Healthy Females_ https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/7/1553 *Resources* Metabolic Mind’s Families & Peers page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Clinician Directory: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicHealth#Keto#Longevity

Keto Diet and Heart Disease: What New Research Reveals About Cardiac Risk with Dr. Bret Scher

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 10:18:00 -0400

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 disorders. Join us in this critical discussion and share this video with your healthcare provider to help spread awareness about the true effects of ketogenic diets on heart health. *Related Videos* https://youtu.be/jybPe48bGtY https://youtu.be/cXwpYDWS0RE *Papers Mentioned* _Impact of very low carbohydrate ketogenic diets on cardiovascular risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes; GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials_ https://nutritionandmetabolism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12986-024-00824-w _Effect of carbohydrate-restricted dietary interventions on LDL particle size and number in adults in the context of weight loss or weight maintenance: a systematic review and meta-analysis_ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522004749 _Cardiovascular disease risk factor responses to a type 2 diabetes care model including nutritional ketosis induced by sustained carbohydrate restriction at 1 year: an open label, non-randomized, controlled study_ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29712560/ _Ketogenic Diet Intervention on Metabolic and Psychiatric Health in Bipolar and Schizophrenia: A Pilot Trial_ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178124001513 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicHealth#HeartHealth#HeartDisease#Keto

Cholesterol & Heart Health: Insights from LDL Research on Keto with Dave Feldman & Nick Norwitz, PhD

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 12:42:00 -0400

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 cholesterol levels may not contribute to plaque buildup in these individuals as is commonly believed in the general population. They also delve into the role of coronary CT angiograms as a powerful tool for more accurately diagnosing heart health and evaluating cardiovascular risk. This study provides new insights into the intersection of cholesterol, heart disease, and metabolic health, offering fresh perspectives on how we should rethink diet, cholesterol management, and long-term health outcomes. Watch as they break down the intersection of cholesterol levels, heart disease, and metabolic health, offering fresh perspectives on assessing cardiovascular risk in modern medicine and calling for further research. Don't miss this enlightening discussion that could change how we view diet, cholesterol, and long-term health outcomes! *Featured In This Video* Dave Feldman X: @realDaveFeldman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-feldman/ https://citizensciencefoundation.org/ Nick Norwitz, PhD X: @nicknorwitz https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicknorwitz/ *Related Papers* _Elevated LDL Cholesterol with a Carbohydrate-Restricted Diet: Evidence for a "Lean Mass Hyper-Responder" Phenotype_ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35106434/ _Carbohydrate Restriction-Induced Elevations in LDL-Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis: The KETO Trial_ https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.101109 _Carbohydrate restriction-induced elevations in LDL-cholesterol and atherosclerosis: The KETO Trial_ https://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/S0026-0495(24)00080-5/abstract *Related Videos* https://youtu.be/cXwpYDWS0RE Resources: Metabolic Mind’s Families & Peers page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Clinician Directory: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#Keto#KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicHealth#LDL#HeartHealth

Healing Metabolism to Heal Schizoaffective Disorder: Lauren Kennedy West's Medical Keto Journey

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 12:52:00 -0400

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 truly thrive. In this interview, she discusses the gaps in conventional mental health treatment, the transformative impact of metabolic approaches, and how taking control of these often-overlooked aspects of health has allowed her to regain her life. Whether you’re dealing with similar challenges or are simply curious about alternative mental health treatments, Lauren’s story offers hope and inspiration. Join us as we explore the intersection of mental health and metabolic therapies in this compelling conversation. 🔗 Watch to learn more about Lauren’s experience and the potential of metabolic therapies in treating mental illness. *Key Topics Covered* • The limitations of traditional psychiatric treatments • The role of diet, exercise, and sleep in managing mental health • How metabolic therapies helped Lauren achieve remission Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content on mental health, metabolic therapies, and personal wellness journeys. *People Featured in This Video* Lauren Kennedy West Creator, Living Well with Schizophrenia YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWellwithSchizophrenia Twitter/X: @LWSchizophrenia Resources: Metabolic Mind’s Families & Peers page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Clinician Directory: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicHealth#SchizoaffectiveDisorder#MentalHealth#LivingWellWithSchizophrenia

Protein on Keto: How Much is Too Much? with Dr. Bret Scher

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 12:44:00 -0400

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. *Tune in to learn* •The importance of protein on a ketogenic diet •How to measure and adjust your protein intake •Common myths and misconceptions about protein and ketosis Thank you for watching! If you found this video helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with others who may benefit. Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts. *Resources* Metabolic Mind’s Familes & Peers page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Protein Range Chart https://www.dietdoctor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/CME-Target-protein-ranges.pdf Clinician Directory: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicHealth#Protein

Keto Offers Hope in the Bronx: Endocrinologist Uses Diet to Help Underserved Patients Recover Health

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 21:06:21 -0400

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! If you found this video helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with others who may benefit. Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts. *Key Highlights* • The potential of ketogenic therapy for managing chronic diseases • The affordability of a ketogenic diet • Success stories from the South Bronx • The role of the OwnaHealth app in patient treatment and monitoring *Related Article* _For Richer, for Poorer: Low-Carb Diets Work for All Incomes_ by Nina Teicholz, PhD https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/richer-poorer-low-carb-diets-work-all-incomes-2024a1000cw5?form=fpf *Experts in this video* Dr. Mariela Glandt https://www.glandt.co.il/en/home X: @DrMarielaGlandt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariela-glandt-md-6137914/ OwnaHealth https://www.owna.health/ 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicHealth#Diabetes#LowCarbDiet

Ketogenic Therapy for Migraine Relief - with Dr. Elena Gross

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 12:52:00 -0400

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 her to pursue a PhD in neuroscience, focusing on the root causes of migraines and how they can be addressed through nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes. • Metabolic Health: An in-depth discussion on how metabolic health influences brain conditions, including migraines, and the potential for metabolic interventions to offer relief. • Scientific Insights: Exploration of the metabolic processes involved in migraine development and how targeting these processes can lead to better management of the condition. • Case Studies: Dr. Gross shares her experiences with patients and the outcomes of her clinical research, including the first randomized controlled trial on exogenous ketones for migraine treatment. • Global Implications: The broader impact of metabolic therapy on managing chronic diseases and the importance of shifting medical approaches towards prevention and root cause treatment. • Micronutrient Importance: The role of micronutrients and antioxidants in supporting metabolic health and their potential to improve outcomes for those with chronic migraines. Join us for this informative conversation with Dr. Elena Gross as she delves into her decade-long experience on ketogenic therapy and its profound impact on her life and research. By the end of this video, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how metabolic health can transform migraine management and improve overall brain health. Thank you for watching! If you found this video helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with others who may benefit. Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts. *Experts in this video* Dr. Elena Gross https://www.drelenagross.com X: @DrElenaGross Instagram: @drelenagross LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-elena-gross-6518bb2/ Migraket: https://www.brainritual.com/ *Studies referenced* _Efficacy and safety of exogenous ketone bodies for preventive treatment of migrane: A study protocol for a single-centred, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial_ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13063-018-3120-7 _Potential Protective Mechanisms of Ketone Bodies in Migraine Prevention_ https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/4/811 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #Research#MetabolicHealth#Migraine #MigrainRelief

Best Diet for Mental Health: Keto or Mediterranean? - with Dr. Bret Scher

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 11:09:00 -0400

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 American Diet (SAD) by eliminating ultra-processed foods and sugar will enhance metabolic health, likely offering both physical and mental benefits. However, ketogenic therapy isn't a conventional diet; it's an impactful metabolic treatment that modifies the brain and body's energy source. It's even possible to adopt a Mediterranean keto diet. This video provides a closer examination. Key Points: ▪️Diet and Mental Health: Importance of diet in managing psychiatric symptoms. ▪️Mediterranean Diet: Evidence from interventional studies showing improved depression symptoms. ▪️Ketogenic Diet: Recent studies and patient testimonials highlighting how ketogenic therapy can put serious mental illnesses, like major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, into complete remission. ▪️Comparison and Recommendations: Practical advice on choosing between these diets and potential next steps for patients and clinicians looking to explore dietary interventions for mental illness. ▪️Future Directions: Ongoing research and the need for head-to-head trials to determine the most effective dietary approach for mental health. Watch to Learn: ▪️How the Mediterranean and ketogenic diets impact mental health. ▪️The underlying mechanisms by which ketosis may be a powerful intervention for brain health. ▪️Practical tips for implementing dietary changes to support mental well-being. If you found this video helpful, please like, subscribe, and share with anyone who might benefit. We also love hearing from you, so leave a comment below with your thoughts and experiences! Related Resources: What is the Difference between a Keto Diet and Ketogenic Therapy? - With Dr. Bret Scher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iMXUpLYLkk&t=1s What is a Good Bipolar Diet? - With Dr. Bret Scher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK2IDpHDrqU&t=2s Studies referenced: Ketogenic Diet Intervention on Metabolic and Psychiatric Health in Bipolar and Schizophrenia: A Pilot Trial https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178124001513?via%3Dihub The Ketogenic Diet for Refractory Mental Illness: A Retrospective Analysis of 31 Inpatients https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35873236/ A randomized controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the ‘SMILES’ trial) https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-017-0791-y Effect of Multinutrient Supplementation and Food-Related Behavioral Activation Therapy on Prevention of Major Depressive Disorder Among Overweight or Obese Adults With Subsyndromal Depressive Symptoms: The MooDFOOD Randomized Clinical Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30835307/ A Mediterranean-style dietary intervention supplemented with fish oil improves diet quality and mental health in people with depression: A randomized controlled trial (HELFIMED) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29215971/ The effect of a Mediterranean diet on the symptoms of depression in young males (the "AMMEND: A Mediterranean Diet in MEN with Depression" study): a randomized controlled trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35441666/ 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#MediterraneanDiet

The Truth About Carbs and Your Brain - with Dr. Bret Scher

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 13:36:00 -0400

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 myths and truths about carbohydrates and their impact on brain function. -Ketogenic Therapy: An in-depth look at how ketogenic diets can serve as powerful treatments for mental illnesses, providing an alternative energy source for the brain, decreasing neuroinflammation, and improving mitochondrial health. -Scientific Insights: Detailed discussion on the metabolic processes involved and how they can affect mental health conditions where glucose metabolism is impaired. -Personal Tailoring: Thanks to technological advancements, like Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), people can get a clearer picture of their individual metabolic health and glucose response, allowing them to pick the appropriate diet accordingly. By the end of this video, you'll have a clearer understanding of the nuanced role that carbohydrates play in brain health and how ketogenic therapy can potentially benefit individuals suffering from psychiatric conditions. Related videos: Does the Brain Need Carbs- With Dr. Bret Scher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfR9uNXewZk What Is the Difference between a Keto Diet and Ketogenic Therapy? - With Dr. Bret Scher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iMXUpLYLkk Are We Biased Toward a Keto Diet- With Dr. Bret Scher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWVinguULy8 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.

Keto, Microbiome, and Depression: Insights with Timur Liwinski

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 13:05:00 -0400

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 Highlights* ▪️Clinical Trial Overview: An in-depth look at Dr. Liwinski's clinical trial investigating the effects of the ketogenic diet and microbiome changes on depression. ▪️Depression and Diet: Exploring the potential benefits of the ketogenic diet for those suffering from depression, focusing on how it can provide an alternative energy source for the brain. ▪️Personal Journey: Dr. Liwinski opens up about his own struggles with depression and how adopting a ketogenic diet significantly improved his mental health. ▪️Microbiome and Mental Health: A discussion on the gut-brain axis and a reflection on whether or not fiber is as critical for gut health as many believe. ▪️Species-Adequate Diet for Humans: Dr. Liwinski shares his hypothesis that all humans should spend a significant amount of time in ketosis to optimize health. ▪️Spirituality and Diet: The role spirituality and personal beliefs about what food is good for health might have on overall well-being. By the end of this interview, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how research on the ketogenic diet and microbiome can potentially revolutionize the treatment of depression and improve mental health outcomes. *Expert featured in this interview* Dr. Timur Liwinski https://www.linkedin.com/in/timur-liwinski-293b96138/ Timur.Liwinski@upk.ch Study referenced: _Ketogenic Diet for Depression_ https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06105762 Related videos: _Oxford’s Keto for ADHD & Depression Randomized Controlled Trial - with Ally Houston_ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUAbqXcSAzg _Ketogenic Therapy: How 3 Patients Put Depression and Anxiety in Remission with Dr. Lori Calabrese_ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuFhJeOf2Jc _Ketosis and Depression: An inspiring personal story from Stanford's Healthcare Innovation Lab_ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISosQFO06IM _Can a Medical Keto Diet Treat Depression in College Students? - with Dr. Jeff Volek_ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-eb1u7SOHU _Can a Keto Diet Help People Suffering from Depression? - with Dr. Erin Bellamy_ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz3cev323EQ _Future of Precision Medicine & Nutritional Therapies for Mental Illness with Dr. Megan Kirk Chang_ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_LF1gTSkxQ 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #Research#MetabolicHealth#MetabolicNeurology #KetoForDepression #DepressionTreatment

Hundreds Report Dementia Improvement with Ketones: Dr. Mary Newport's Report

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 10:42:00 -0400

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* - Personal Journey: Dr. Newport’s experience seeing her husband’s improvement in Alzheimer’s symptoms from using coconut oil and MCT oil. - Ketones and Brain Energy: An explanation of how MCTs are converted into ketones, and how they provide an alternative energy source for the brain, particularly beneficial in conditions like Alzheimer's where glucose metabolism is impaired. - Scientific Insights: Detailed discussion on the neuroprotective effects of ketones, including reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. - Recent Publications: A new publication featuring 288 reports of caregivers using coconut oil and MCT oil showcasing the potential impact of this approach for neurodegenerative conditions currently lacking effective pharmaceutical treatments. - Global Implications: The potential impact of this discovery on the 35 million people worldwide suffering from dementia. - Ongoing Efforts: Dr. Newport’s continued dedication to advancing this field through case studies and poster presentations emphasizes the growing body of evidence supporting ketogenic therapy for brain health. *Expert featured in this interview* Dr. Mary Newport https://coconutketones.com/ Study referenced: _Ketogenic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments: History, rationale, and 288 caregiver case reports_ https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/5316 Books by Dr. Mary Newport: The Complete Book of Ketones: https://a.co/d/fHFhDSK Clearly Keto: For Healthy Brain Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention: https://a.co/d/cBewLEU Related videos: _Keto and MCT for Alzheimer's, One Doctor's Family Journey_ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3-5GQfeJ68 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 #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy#MetabolicHealth#MetabolicNeurology #MCTforAlzheimers #KetoForDementia

From Lived-Experience to Trailblazing Keto Research - with Maria Edwards

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 10:40:00 -0400

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. Despite hurdles like small sample sizes and missing data, her pilot studies lay the groundwork for future research into ketogenic therapy for brain injury and PTSD. What You'll Learn: ▪️Maria Edward’s personal journey: Maria shares how her personal experience treating bipolar 2 disorder with a medical keto diet made her want to devote her career to helping others through researching metabolic therapies. ▪️Feasibility Trials: Understand the significance of feasibility studies and how Maria's pilot trials laid the groundwork for further investigation in this field. Experts in this video: Maria Edwards Affiliated Researcher Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports University of Copenhagen Denmark X: @MillaEdw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-gabriela-persdotter-edwards-7bb75aa7/ Study: _Diet-induced ketosis in adult patients with subacute acquired brain injury: a feasibility study_ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10990248/#:~:text=Conclusion,the%20effect%20on%20patients'%20recovery. 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 #KetoForDepression#KetoForAnxiety#KetoResearch #KetoStudy

Long-Term Safety of Ketogenic Diets - with Dr. Bret Scher

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 10:37:00 -0400

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 ketogenic therapy without harmful side effects. In numerous cases, a medical keto diet can even put psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression into complete remission. What You'll Learn: ▪️Long-Term Safety: Is it safe to maintain ketosis over an extended period? ▪️Nutritional Adequacy: Can a ketogenic diet lead to nutrient deficiencies or disordered eating habits? ▪️Fiber and Phytonutrients: Are fiber intake and phytonutrients compromised on a ketogenic diet? ▪️Heart Disease Risk: Is there an increased risk of heart disease with long-term ketosis? ▪️Short-Term vs. Long-Term Outcomes: Is ketosis only effective for short-term outcomes? There is a lot of information circulating online touting the risks of long-term ketogenic diets that is completely unfounded. Dr. Scher tackles these prevalent questions, analyzing scientific evidence and dispelling myths surrounding ketogenic diets. Related Resources: Does Keto Cause Heart Disease? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKmNhQbtDLI&t=6s Studies Referenced: _Ketogenic Diet Intervention on Metabolic and Psychiatric Health in Bipolar and Schizophrenia: A Pilot Trial_ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178124001513?via%3Dihub _The Ketogenic Diet for Refractory Mental Illness: A Retrospective Analysis of 31 Inpatients_ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35873236/ 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.

Ketogenic Therapy: How 3 Patients Put Depression and Anxiety in Remission with Dr. Lori Calabrese

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 12:58:00 -0400

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 their best selves, which is rarely achieved with standard-of-care treatments. In this video, Dr. Calabrese and Dr. Bret Scher delve into the details of her findings, showcasing how a ketogenic diet offers a promising alternative to traditional antidepressant medications. 🔍 In This Episode: Introduction to Dr. Lori Calabrese's work and her recent publication. Discussion on the effectiveness of ketogenic interventions compared to FDA-approved antidepressants. Discussion of tracking metabolic markers in psychiatric patients. Detailed case studies illustrating the impact of diet on mental health. 📢 Key Takeaways: Ketogenic diets can lead to rapid and sustained remission of depression and anxiety. Potential for dietary interventions to complement or surpass traditional psychiatric treatments. The importance of exploring metabolic approaches in mental health care. Experts in this episode: Lori Calabrese, MD https://www.loricalabresemd.com/ Founder and Medical Director of Innovative Psychiatry Twitter @loricalabresemd https://www.linkedin.com/in/loricalabresemd/ Studies mentioned: Complete remission of depression and anxiety using a ketogenic diet: case series https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1396685/full 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.

Accelerating the Science of Ketogenic Therapy for Mental Health with Julie Milder, PhD

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 12:54:00 -0400

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 psychiatry. 🧑🏻‍🔬 Learn about the current state of the research: https://www.metabolicmind.org/research 🧠 Key Topics Discussed: The role of philanthropy in advancing scientific research The need for research that elucidates the underlying mechanisms of ketogenic therapy The flexibility and risks in funding innovative projects The need for patient-focused, treatment-first approaches The importance of supporting young investigators The vision for integrating metabolic health into psychiatric care The future of multi-site trials and large-scale research collaborations Expert Interviewed: Baszucki Group Director of Neuroscience, Julie Milder, PhD https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliemilder/ 🔗 Related Links: https://baszuckigroup.com/ https://baszuckigroup.com/news/baszucki-group-announces-columbia-universitys-martin-picard-phd-as-inaugural-recipient-of-1-5-million-baszucki-prize-in-science 📢 Stay Connected: Subscribe for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Follow us on X: @Metabolic_Mind Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metabolicmind/ 👥 Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts in the comments below! Have questions? Drop them in the comments. 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 or 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 #BipolarTreatment #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#Science#Research#Psychiatry

Is Ketogenic Therapy Safe for Children? - with Dr. Matthew Calkins

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 11:42:00 -0400

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 conflates a keto diet for epilepsy with a well-formulated keto diet that can be used to treat obesity, diabetes, and mental health conditions. Dr. Calkins co-authored a rebuttal paper in the Journal of Metabolic Health. In this interview, Dr. Calkins shares more about the paper, as well as some of his experiences running a metabolic clinic at Atrium One Health. He shares his clinical, science-based perspective that ketogenic diets are nutrient-rich (not deficient) and that there is no evidence they trigger eating disorders. He helps patients of all ages make lifestyle changes and improve their health. He loves seeing them achieve dramatic outcomes like reducing BMI or being able to get off insulin. Seeing the explosion of research on ketogenic therapy for a variety of health conditions, Dr. Calkins is optimistic about the future of healthcare. Experts in this video: X: @MattCalkinsMD https://www.wakehealth.edu/providers/c/matthew-william-calkins Related Resources: Carbohydrate reduction for metabolic disease is distinct from the ketogenic diet for epilepsy https://journalofmetabolichealth.org/index.php/jmh/article/view/95 Low-Carbohydrate Diets in Children and Adolescents With or at Risk for Diabetes https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/152/4/e2023063755/193955/Low-Carbohydrate-Diets-in-Children-and-Adolescents?autologincheck=redirected 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 #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #KetoDiet#KetoForPediatrics#KetoForDiabetes#KetoForObesity#KetoForKids

Can I Try a Medical Keto Diet for Mental Illness Without a Metabolic Psychiatrist?

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 13:25:00 -0400

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 people. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher and Hannah Warren discuss why Metabolic Mind recommends that patients work with a clinician trained in metabolic therapies for mental illness, as well as some options patients might want to consider if they cannot find one, but still want to implement medical keto. This article goes into depth on the subject and links to a variety of resources: https://www.metabolicmind.org/blog/can-patients-do-ketogenic-therapy-for-a-psychiatric-condition-without-the-help-of-a-metabolic-psychiatrist Related Resources: 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 Can a Keto Diet Cause Hypomania and How Can It Be Avoided? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F11ZBvCjVNk&t=1s Tapering Psychiatric Medications on Keto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUy_1VW797k&t=1s Labs to Check Before Starting Ketosis for Mental Health: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSkOw3l8OoQ&t=2s List of labs: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j1qeg7acwrkzrpx2hv5g2/john-doe-own-your-labs2_with_crp.pdf?rlkey=6kavz4fpk91s8moilgfm91qws&e=2&st=wnoqxk5r&dl=0 Information sheet that explains ketogenic therapy and the research to date that patients can take to their clinician: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2dr78g0kny2n5raguk7jc/Scientific-and-Clinical-Rationale-for-KD-in-MH.pdf?rlkey=v7z3ng7py73ac90fokkk86mqj&e=1&st=dr3d3872&dl=0 Living Well With Schizophrenia, Keto and Metabolic Health Program 2024: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDgFtG7YA9Y7mRUzd2vuBU7lCC6CpLk1N The research on ketogenic therapy for mental illness: https://www.metabolicmind.org/research Clinician and medical keto expert provider directory: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers#directory Medical keto for mental illness peer support group: https://www.meetup.com/keto-lifestyle-for-mental-health/ Medical Keto Group Programs - Nicole Laurent, LMHC: https://mentalhealthketo.com/brain-fog-recovery-program/ - Erin Bellamy, PhD (group programs starting July 2024) https://www.ikrt.org/ 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

Is It Safe for Me to Do a Keto Diet?

Mon, 27 May 2024 12:16:00 -0400

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 conditions, ketogenic therapy can be highly beneficial. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher goes over some of the most common conditions that many people falsely believe would interfere with safe implementation of a keto diet, including: gallbladder removal, bariatric surgery, gout, high cholesterol and heart disease. He explains that following a keto diet with these conditions is, in fact, safe, if approached in the right way with clinical supervision. Watch What Is the Difference between a Keto Diet and Ketogenic Therapy? - With Dr. Bret Scher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iMXUpLYLkk Watch LDL Risks and Benefits of Ketogenic Therapy- with Dr. William Cromwell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jybPe48bGtY Ketogenic Therapy in Patients With Pre-existing Medical Conditions: https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/for-doctors/difficult-cases 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#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #KetoDiet#AntiKeto#KetoSafety

Oxford’s Keto for ADHD & Depression Randomized Controlled Trial - with Ally Houston

Tue, 21 May 2024 20:41:23 -0400

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, an app and coaching platform that supports individuals implementing ketogenic therapies for mental illness. Ally is currently conducting a crowdfunding campaign to support the study, and Baszucki Group is matching every donation dollar for dollar. In this interview with Dr. Bret Scher, Ally shares his perspective that rigorous scientific research gives patients evidence that medical keto is a legitimate treatment option, perhaps helping them garner more support from their community when implementing ketogenic therapy. The 16-week study at Oxford will test a ketogenic diet against a control diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables that follows the NHS Eat Well Guide. Ally Houston: X: @AllyTransforms LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ally-houston-726b4614/ Support this study: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ketofeel-oxford-study Study in Holland: https://www.steunleiden.nl/project/onderzoek-is-een-ketogeen-dieet-goed-voor-je-hersenen?locale=en Related Resources: https://metpsy.com/ Dr. Rachel Brown: https://rootcausepsych.com/ X:@DrRSBrown Dr. Phil Burnett: https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/team/phil-burnet-1 Dr. Mike Browning: https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/team/michael-browning NHS Eat Well Guide: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/the-eatwell-guide/ 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 #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #KetoDiet#KetoforADHD#ADHDTreatment

What is a Good Bipolar Diet?

Mon, 13 May 2024 13:35:00 -0400

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 disorder? Not likely. When looking at articles that suggest nutritional interventions for mental illness, it is important to realize that ketogenic therapy is a unique dietary strategy that shifts the metabolic state of our bodies and brains. Ketogenic therapy is not a particular diet, but a physiologic state. By reducing carbs, we can shift to a ketone based metabolism, and this process has strong neurological and biological effects. It is important to distinguish ketogenic therapy, which has a growing evidence-base, from generalized and unsupported nutritional advice that is prevalent on the internet. Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. 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/ Article discussed: https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/foods-for-mania-and-depression On the related topic of misinformation about nutrition for brain health see “New book: Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind by Metabolic Psychiatry Pioneer Dr. Georgia Ede” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws_AlyJNo2I Read Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Change-Your-Diet-Mind-Powerful/dp/1538739070 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#BipolarDiet

Can a Medical Keto Diet Treat Depression in College Students? - with Dr. Jeff Volek

Mon, 06 May 2024 15:35:00 -0400

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

Does the Brain Need Carbs?

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 12:37:00 -0400

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

Solutions to Prevent Early Death in Bipolar Disorder with Dr. Melvin McInnis

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:54:11 -0400

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

Trailblazing Stanford Trial Shows Keto Improves Serious Mental Illness - with Dr. Shebani Sethi

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 15:40:00 -0400

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

Are We Biased Toward a Keto Diet?

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 13:13:00 -0400

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

Collaborative Science: How Individuals are Enhancing Research - with Dave Feldman

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:14:00 -0400

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

Why Keto for Mental Health May Not Be Working for You - with Dr. Bret Scher

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 12:13:00 -0400

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 of ways patients can troubleshoot their ketogenic therapy strategy before deciding this treatment option doesn’t work for them. In this practical video, Dr. Bret Scher shares seven common reasons why ketogenic therapy may not be yielding results: - Ketone levels might not be high enough - The timeframe may not be long enough–for some patients, it can take up to 3-4 months to see optimum results All of these factors can also impair results: - Vitamin & nutrient deficiencies - Concurrent medical conditions - Abusing drugs and alcohol - Some medications make it harder to get into ketosis - Other lifestyle factors such as poor sleep or too much stress It is important to note that ketogenic therapy is more than simply following a keto diet. We recommend that anyone attempting to use a keto diet to treat a mental health condition work with a trained clinician. 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/ More helpful resources related to this episode: What is the difference between a keto diet and ketogenic therapy? - with Dr. Bret Scher: https://youtu.be/BK99A_bhn6Y Labs to Check Before Starting Ketosis for Mental Health: https://youtu.be/tSkOw3l8OoQ Find helpful resources, like how to find a clinician and the labs recommended for ketogenic therapy on this page of our website: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers 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#KetoForDepression#KetoForBipolar#DepressionTreatment#MedicationSideEffects#MedicialKeto#KetogenicTherapy

Can a Keto Diet Cause Hypomania, and How Can It Be Avoided?

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 12:00:00 -0400

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 ketogenic diet, monitoring sleep, having a bridge medication available, and always having expert guidance from a clinical care team. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher discusses the risk of hypomania with two experts in the metabolic psychiatry field: Harvard-trained psychiatrist and author of the groundbreaking book, Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind, Dr. Georgia Ede, and Nicole Laurent, LMHC, a counselor who trains non-prescribers on assisting patients with ketogenic therapy. According to Dr. Ede, hypomania and other unwanted psychiatric symptoms are uncommon when implementing ketogenic therapy. She recommends that people not allow these risks to dissuade them from trying this form of treatment. Featured in this episode: Georgia Ede, MD https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/ Twitter: @georgiaedemd Order Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mind Nicole Laurent, LMHC https://www.mentalhealthketo.com Twitter @KetoCounselor 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#Obesity#MedicationSideEffects#Schizophrenia #Hypomania

Can a Keto Diet Help People Suffering from Depression? - with Erin Bellamy, PhD

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 15:45:00 -0400

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

Insulin Resistance in Alzheimer's, Infertility, Migraines and More - with Dr. Ben Bikman

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:07:00 -0400

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

Improving Quality of Life in Bipolar Disorder - with Mayo Clinic's Dr. Mark Frye

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:38:00 -0400

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

Could Your Diet Be Causing Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression? - with Dr. Uma Naidoo

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 16:41:00 -0400

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

Could GLP1 medications help patients go keto?

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 16:05:00 -0400

GLP 1 medications, like Wegovy and Ozempic, might serve a purpose as a bridge treatment that enables patients to make positive lifestyle changes, such as implementing a ketogenic diet. This video is the last in our series exploring the potential use of GLP1 medications in psychiatry. While clinical evidence shows benefits for some patients using these medications, helping with both metabolic disease and relief from mental symptoms, they also come with some adverse side effects. Drs. Matthew Bernstein and Mariela Glandt warn that without positive lifestyle interventions, these medications typically cause an unhealthy amount of lean mass to be lost in addition to body fat. Dr. Glandt also expresses concerns that these drugs can lead to nutrient deficiencies and prefers to transition people off of them and onto a ketogenic diet for sustainable benefits. Expert featured in this episode: Matthew Bernstein, MD https://www.ellenhorn.com/our-team/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bernstein-5743338 Mariela Glandt, MD https://www.glandt.co.il/en/home https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariela-glandt-6137914/ https://www.owna.health/ Watch the other videos in our GLP-1 series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzWI83-NWCL43oNEZV272IXa7AdY9q4sd&si=BoJ3aOYrTviLmrwN About us: Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #BipolarTreatment #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#Bipolar#GLP1#Ozempic#Wegovy#weightloss #AlternativeTreatment

Stanford Twin Study: Are Vegan Diets Healthier?

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 16:06:00 -0400

The Stanford Twin Study has made headlines suggesting that vegan diets are healthier than omnivore diets, and we would likely all benefit from a more plant-based diet. The problem is that the conclusions are misleading, and the study doesn't actually show that. The true conclusion from this study is that among high carb diets, after eight weeks, those on a vegan diet ate fewer calories, lost more weight and lowered LDL and insulin more than those following a high carb omnivore diet. The Stanford Twin Study highlights how easy it is to misinterpret and misrepresent the findings from nutrition research. Link to the study: Cardiometabolic Effects of Omnivorous vs Vegan Diets in Identical Twins A Randomized Clinical Trial https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2812392 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #vegan #omnivore#DepressionTreatment #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#DepressionDiet#AlternativeTreatment

New Study Questions LDL Risk - An interview with Dave Feldman

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 17:28:14 -0400

Do we all have to worry that LDL causes heart disease, or could certain people, like low-carb "lean mass hyper responders" have less concern about LDL and heart risk? A new study from Dave Feldman and Dr. Matt Budoff suggests markedly elevated LDL in the setting of metabolic health and ketosis may not contribute to cardiac plaque and heart disease. While these data are not conclusive, they are highly suggestive and set the stage for future studies in this critically important area. Will this line of research eventually change everything we know about LDL? That's to be determined, but at least we're asking the question. Featured in this episode Dave Feldman https://cholesterolcode.com/ and https://citizensciencefoundation.org/ twitter/X @realDaveFeldman 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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#ldl #hearthealth #CalciumScore#CoronaryCTA#LeanMassHyperResponder#LMHR

What Do Adenosine, Forests & Keto Diets Have to do with Brain Health?

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 15:46:00 -0400

At Metabolic Mind, we often focus on ketogenic therapy as a treatment for severe mental illnesses like bipolar, schizophrenia, and depression. But it’s important to realize that a keto diet can also be a powerful preventative medicine to protect and optimize brain function. Dr. Susan Masino, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at Trinity College and the Charles Bullard Fellow in forest research at Harvard Medical School, discusses the therapeutic properties of ketogenic diets and the interconnection between brain health and ecological lifelines. Dr. Masino discovered the ketogenic diet while researching ways to increase adenosine, a neuroprotective molecule that cannot be given as a medication due to severe side effects. Both adenosine and a ketone-based metabolism work through multimodal mechanisms to “precondition” the body, promoting health and enhancing resilience, helping to reverse disease and prevent it from occurring in the first place. Featured in this episode: Susan Masino, PhD https://internet3.trincoll.edu/facprofiles/default.aspx?fid=1117011 Twitter/X: @MasinoSusan 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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#Bipolar#KetoDiet#BrainHealth#PreventativeMedicine

Can Changing Your Diet Change Your Mind?- with Metabolic Psychiatry Pioneer Dr. Georgia Ede

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 15:28:00 -0400

Is the key to optimizing physical and mental health eating so-called superfoods like dark chocolate, red wine and blueberries? Dr. Georgia Ede, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and metabolic psychiatry pioneer, shares counter-evidence to mainstream views on the optimal human diet. In this interview, she discusses nourishing the brain by eating the right foods, protecting it by staying away from the wrong foods, and energizing it by cultivating a healthy metabolism. Ede argues that the key to healing, protecting, and enhancing brain function is keeping blood sugar (glucose) and insulin within a healthy range.

Future of Precision Medicine & Nutritional Therapies for Mental Illness with Dr. Megan Kirk Chang

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 16:22:00 -0400

Dr. Megan Kirk Chang, Senior Researcher of Medical Science at the University of Oxford, discusses her upcoming trials looking at nutritional interventions: one focuses on ketosis for treatment-resistant depression, and the other will investigate whether the keto diet is as effective as the Mediterranean diet for individuals at risk for developing Alzheimer’s. She has a background in cognitive behavioral therapeutics (CBT), including experience coaching patients through interventions like mindfulness-based stress reduction, exercise, and yoga. Dr. Kirk Chang brings a fresh, unbiased perspective and diverse scope of experience to her new research examining the therapeutic uses of the keto diet. The common thread throughout her career has been helping patients restore their sense of aliveness. She envisions psychiatric interventions of the future that are driven by precision medicine, effectively tailored to the unique biology and life circumstances of each patient. Featured in this episode: Dr. Megan Kirk Chang https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/team/megan-kirk-chang LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megankirkchang/ Instagram: @dr.megankirkchang Twitter/X: @DrKirkChang 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #DepressionTreatment #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#DepressionDiet#AlternativeTreatment

GLP-1 and Ketosis: Novel Mental Health Treatments

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 18:47:00 -0400

GLP1 medications like Wegovy and Ozempic can help with weight loss but may also be able to help with psychiatric symptoms from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and more. But are GLP1s safe in psychiatry, and how do they compare to nutritional interventions like a ketogenic diet to treat mental health disorders? Dr. Roger McIntrye, a world-renowned psychiatrist and researcher, joins Metabolic Mind to discuss the potential roles of GLP1 medications and ketogenic therapy, and how clinicians and patients could consider their use. Expert featured in this episode: Roger McIntyre, MD https://psychiatry.utoronto.ca/faculty/roger-mcintyre Twitter/X: @rogersmcintyre About us: Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #BipolarTreatment #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#Bipolar#GLP1#Ozempic#Wegovy#weightloss #AlternativeTreatment

Treating Bipolar with Keto - 100 Self-Reports with Dr. Iain Campbell

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 18:00:00 -0400

Ketogenic diets are emerging as an exciting new alternative treatment for bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions. Many people may see remission of their psychiatric symptoms and may be able to reduce or eliminate their intake of psychiatric medications. Dr. Iain Campbell, a researcher who lives with Bipolar II, collected survey data from over 100 individuals treating their bipolar disorder with ketogenic therapy. While the data are not at the same level as randomized controlled trials, the results are amazingly encouraging and indicate a substantial improvement in people's quality of life. Featured in this episode: Dr. Iain Campbell https://www.bipolarketostudy.com/ Twitter/x: @IainCampbellPhD Dr. Iain Campbell's pilot study pre-print: Pilot study of a ketogenic diet in bipolar disorder https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-open/article/pilot-study-of-a-ketogenic-diet-in-bipolar-disorder/3C44C39ACE747A042179D2876D1AB143? 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #BipolarTreatment #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#BipolarDiet #AlternativeTreatment

Ketosis and Depression: An inspiring personal story from Stanford's Healthcare Innovation Lab.

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 15:19:00 -0400

Ben Rolnik lived with depression, thinking often about suicide, and even when he was doing well, he never knew if his day would get upended by depressive symptoms. That all changed when he found ketogenic therapy, and Ben has now put his depression symptoms into remission. Ben shares his dramatic story but also discusses his unique position as the Director of Stanford's Healthcare Innovation Lab and how he hopes studies will soon identify those who may benefit most from ketogenic therapy. But in the meantime, he wonders why everyone wouldn't try this for their depression. Featured in this episode: Ben Rolnik LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benrolnik/ Twitter/X: @BenRolnik Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. About us: Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST AT https://metabolicmind.org/ 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 #BipolarTreatment #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #DepressionTreatment#NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllnessTreatment#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth#DepressionDiet

Psychiatrist Shares His Experience With GLP1 Weight Loss Drugs with Dr Rodrigo Mansuer

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:00:00 -0400

GLP1 agonist weight loss medications Wegovy and Ozempic have become popular medications for overweight and obesity and are also increasingly being used in psychiatry to target symptoms of depression and anxiety. But are Wegovy and Ozempic safe to use in psychiatry? University of Toronto psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Rodrigo Mansur discusses the research supporting the use of GLP1 agonist weight loss drugs and explores his clinical considerations when discussing these medications with patients. Could they be a new treatment for psychiatric disorders? That remains to be seen as we consider the potential adverse effects. But it seems clear these drugs are becoming more popular, so the more we know about them, the better! Expert featured in this episode: Rodrigo Mansur MD PhD https://psychiatry.utoronto.ca/faculty/rodrigo-mansur Dr. Mansur's publication mentioned in this video: Liraglutide promotes improvements in objective measures of cognitive dysfunction in individuals with mood disorders: A pilot, open-label study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27721184/ About us: Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #BipolarTreatment #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#Bipolar#GLP1#Ozempic#Wegovy#Weightloss

Treating Weight Gain From Psychiatric Medications with Dr Matt Bernstein

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 17:17:00 -0400

Can you successfully lose weight that you’ve gained from antipsychotics and other psychiatric medications for bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and other mental health disorders? Dr. Matthew Bernstein faces this question daily in his psychiatric practice and believes a combination of ketogenic therapy and medications like Wegovy or Ozempic may lead to sustained weight loss - as long as it is done safely and with a plan. Dr. Bernstein also acknowledges that stubborn weight gain is a common side effect of psychiatric medications that standard "diet and exercise" weight loss advice doesn't address. Will GLP1 agonist weight loss drugs become the norm? Or should ketogenic therapy be the first-line therapy? These are ongoing questions patients and doctors will have to keep asking as this field evolves. Expert features in this episode Matthew Bernstein, MD https://www.ellenhorn.com/our-team/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bernstein-5743338 Watch our previous video with Dr. Bernstein https://youtu.be/oA6KaqJhVDY?si=gFeaLAMN_KOKaDo 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #BipolarTreatment #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#Bipolar#GLP1#Ozempic#Wegovy#Weightloss

Don't Call It Bipolar Disorder with Hannah Warren

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 20:14:46 -0400

Hannah Warren treated her bipolar disorder and put it into remission with metabolic therapies, including a keto diet. Her symptoms of psychosis and mania have disappeared, and she attributes it to a combination of metabolic interventions, including exercise, meditation, fasting, and, most importantly, ketogenic therapy, the cornerstone intervention key to treating her psychiatric symptoms and restoring her health. But even though she was given a diagnosis of bipolar 1, and she found a diet that treats bipolar, she doesn't agree with or use that term. Instead, she labels her set of symptoms as metabolic brain dysfunction – a term that more accurately described the underlying cause of her psychiatric symptoms and provided her with the agency that she can treat it. Thanks in part to how she sees the mental health disorder she put into remission, Hannah provides an inspiring example of hope for a new and better approach to mental illness. You can read more about Hannah Warren at her website https://www.radiantbeast.com/ Here are links to blogs Hannah has written at metabolicmind.org Five Reasons I No Longer Label Myself Bipolar https://www.metabolicmind.org/blog/five-reasons-i-no-longer-label-myself-bipolar/ Ketogenic therapy for mental health conditions: When countless people are suffering and lives are at stake, why invest time and money in Randomized Controlled Trials? https://www.metabolicmind.org/blog/ketogenic-therapy-for-mental-health-conditions-when-countless-people-are-suffering-and-lives-are-at-stake-why-invest-time-and-money-in-randomized-controlled-trials/ And you can learn more about Dr. Chris Palmer and his Brain Energy book at https://brainenergy.com/ 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #BipolarTreatment #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#BipolarDiet

Brain Energy, Mitochondria, and Mental Health with Dr. Chris Palmer

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 18:50:30 -0400

According to Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Chris Palmer and the Brain Energy theory, mitochondria play a crucial role in mental health and in psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and others. But the good news is that recognizing the importance of mitochondria and metabolic health can help us see psychiatric illness in a whole new way and may offer novel, more effective treatments. Dr. Palmer argues this could be the solution to our mental health crisis and not only improve the lives of individuals but also impact our homeless and incarceration problems. Expert featured in this episode Chris Palmer, MD - www.ChrisPalmerMD.com Twitter @ChrisPalmerMD Purchase Brain Energy by Chris Palmer, MD: https://brainenergy.com/#order-window 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #BipolarTreatment #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllnessTreatment#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth#MitochondrialDisease #BrainEnergy

What are Metabolism and Metabolic Health, and How Do They Impact Mental Health?

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 22:31:09 -0400

Now more than ever, we need to know how to improve our metabolic health. Disrupted metabolism, so-called metabolic dysfunction, is a dangerous condition that has been associated with numerous medical conditions, including mental illness, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and more. But what do metabolism and metabolic dysfunction mean, and what can we do to improve our metabolic health? This video gives you an understanding of what your metabolism is, how it can become dysfunctional, and what you can do to improve it. Other references for metabolism and metabolic health: How To Achieve Metabolic Health on Diet Doctor https://www.dietdoctor.com/science/metabolic-health Weight Loss and Resting Metabolic Rate on Diet Doctor https://www.dietdoctor.com/weight-loss/resting-metabolic-rate The Ultimate Guide to Metabolic Health on Levels https://www.levelshealth.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-metabolic-health 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #BipolarTreatment #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth#BipolarDiet#Metabolism#MetabolicHealth

Is Ketosis Safe for Mental Health?

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 23:36:04 -0400

Emerging evidence indicates that therapeutic ketosis, often from a ketogenic diet, can help treat mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anorexia, and others. But some may question if nutritional ketosis is safe, especially considering some associate ketosis with the dangerous medical condition ketoacidosis. This podcast discusses how ketosis is a safe and natural physiologic state distinctly different from ketoacidosis. This is crucial information for clinicians and everyday individuals so they can fully realize the potential benefits of therapeutic ketosis. Educational guide discussing the safety of ketosis https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/ketosis#ketosis-ketoacidosis Video discussing ketosis and cardiac risk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKmNhQbtDLI 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #BipolarTreatment #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth#BipolarDiet#Ketoacidosis#IsKetoSafe

Ketosis and Alzheimer's: A Metabolic Neuroscience Journey With Dr. Stephen Cunnane

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 15:27:52 -0400

Early evidence indicates that ketogenic therapy is a safe and effective treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. Dr. Stephen Cunnane has been part of this field for decades and has seen the research take shape. But he’s also seen very slow adoption in clinical practice. Dr. Cunnane shares his journey through this field, why he got started with ketone research, how ketogenic therapies could revolutionize how we treat dementia, and what we need to do to make it more acceptable. Expert featured in this episode: Dr. Stephen Cunnane https://recherche-cerveau-sherbrooke.ca/en/laboratory-team/ Studies Referenced: Brain energy rescue with ketones improves cognitive outcomes in MCI https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/alz.059627 Brain energy rescue: an emerging therapeutic concept for neurodegenerative disorders of ageing https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7948516/ Randomized crossover trial of a modified ketogenic diet in Alzheimer's disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33622392/ 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #Dementia#AlzheimersDisease#KetoForDementia#MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

Fasting and Ketosis to treat Dementia With Dr. Matthew Phillips

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 19:01:47 -0400

Metabolic neurology is a growing field focusing on the connection between metabolic and neurologic health, and encompasses neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, other types of dementia, and more.

Dr. Matthew Phillips is leading the way as a clinician and researcher exploring the use of metabolic therapies, like intermittent fasting and nutritional ketosis to help treat and prevent neurocognitive diseases.

Dr. Phillips shares with us what he has learned from his research studies, and what he feels are the top tips for neurologic and brain health. He also explores how metabolic therapies can, and should, usher in a new era of healthcare. Expert featured in this episode: Dr. Matthew Phillips, clinical and research neurologist at Waikato Hospital in NZ https://www.metabolicneurologist.com/ Twitter: @drmclphillips Papers Referenced: Randomized crossover trial of a modified ketogenic diet in Alzheimer's disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33622392/ Metabolic Strategies in Healthcare: A New Era https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35656107/ Low-fat versus ketogenic diet in Parkinson's disease: A pilot randomized controlled trial https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/mds.27390 Metabolic Therapy Program In Conjunction With Standard Treatment For Glioblastoma Multiforme https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04730869?a=1 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #Dementia#AlzheimersDisease#KetoForDementia#MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllnessTreatment#mentalhealthismetabolichealth #ParkinsonsDisease

Mitochondria - The Key To Disease and Mental Health with Dr. Martin Picard

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 18:32:16 -0400

Emerging evidence suggests mitochondrial dysfunction can cause or contribute to many psychiatric and neurologic disorders. To promote metabolic and mental health, it’s crucial to better understand mitochondria and what we can do to keep them healthy. As Dr. Martin Picard explains, mitochondria are small components of cells that are involved in just about every disease process, and by extension, in every aspect of promoting health. Since mitochondria are where we transform food energy into energy our bodies use, it makes sense why they are so important for health and longevity. Dr. Picard from Columbia University is one of the most prominent mitochondrial researchers, and he joins us to discuss all things mitochondria-related – from the basics of what mitochondria are and how they function, to the three most important things we can do to keep our mitochondria healthy. Expert featured in this episode Martin Picard, PhD http://www.picardlab.org/ Twitter @MitoPsychoBio 0:00 Introduction to Dr. Martin Picard 3:16 What Are Mitochondria and Where Are They? 9:04 Ecosystem of Mitochondria 10:25 Mitochondria and Disease 16:38 Genetics and Mitochondria 19:18 Lifestyle Choices for Poor Mitochondrial Health 22:08 Impact of Psychological States on Mitochondria 25:55 Medications and Mitochondrial Dysfunction 32:12 How to Improve Mitochondrial Function 52:29 Conclusion Link to Dr. Picard's talk from the inaugural Metabolic Psychiatry Conference in 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u51JSv4AK-0 The Human Psychobiology Project https://www.humanpsychobiology.org/ 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #BipolarTreatment #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth#Mitochondria

Keto and MCT for Alzheimer's, One Doctor's Family Journey

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 16:53:14 -0400

Dr. Mary Newport saw first hand the beneficial effects ketones can have for Alzheimer’s dementia when her husband experienced dramatic cognitive improvements. But this was back in 2008 when coconut oil or MCT oil wasn’t easy to find, and metabolic neuroscience was rarely discussed. Fast forward to 2023, and we now have multiple studies demonstrating improved cognition with ketogenic interventions for those with dementia. Dr. Newport shares her husband’s dramatic story, and helps us understand the importance of considering therapeutic ketosis for treating dementia. Expert featured in this podcast: Dr. Mary Newport, neonatology specialist https://coconutketones.com/ Books by Dr. Mary Newport: The Complete Book of Ketones: https://a.co/d/fHFhDSK Clearly Keto: For Healthy Brain Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention: https://a.co/d/cBewLEU 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #Dementia

#AlzheimersDisease

#KetoForDementia

#MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

Keto For Alzheimer's: A Treatment Whose Time Has Come

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 23:33:51 -0400

Nutritionist Amy Berger literally wrote the book on using therapeutic nutritional ketosis from a ketogenic diet to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s dementia. Now Ms. Berger joins us to review two new studies about ketosis and Alzheimer’s disease and how they fit into the overall scientific basis. Expert featured in this episode: Amy Berger, Certified Nutrition Specialist https://www.tuitnutrition.com/ Twitter @TuitNutrition Studies Referenced: Ketogenic Diet as a Promising Non-Drug Intervention for Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37038820/ Effects of a ketogenic and low-fat diet on the human metabolome, microbiome, and foodome in adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37017243/ 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #Dementia #AlzheimersDisease #KetoForDementia #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis #MentalIllnessTreatment #MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

AnorExit: A new Treatment Model for Anorexia

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 16:08:13 -0400

A new program for treating Anorexia Nervosa with Ketogenic Therapy called AnorExit is accepting clients. Early evidence and clinical experience indicate that therapeutic nutritional ketosis from a ketogenic diet may effectively treat anorexia nervosa. That's because therapeutic ketosis is much more than a so-called "restrictive diet." Ketosis changes how our brains create energy and can alter neurotransmitters, decrease neuroinflammation, improve mitochondrial health, and more. The family of Caroline Beckwith, who herself recovered from Anorexia with Ketogenic Therapy, has founded AnorExit. Caroline will provide peer counseling to participants. Registered dietician Denise Potter will provide clinical support. AnorExit is the first-ever dedicated treatment program using Ketogenic Therapy to treat anorexia nervosa. You can learn more at https://www.anorexit.com/ Any dietary change can be potentially risky for someone living with anorexia. That's why we recommend only treating anorexia or other eating disorders with nutritional ketosis while under the care of an experienced clinician. AnorExit provides wrap-around care including nutrition, peer counseling, and medical oversight to address this most life-threatening of all mental illnesses. Featured in this video: Denise Potter, Rd @KetoPotterRDN https://www.potterketogenic.diet/ Caroline Beckwith https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrKK8_znRxl4uO47AuMqglA 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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#MentalIllnessTreatment#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth#Anorexia#EatingDisorder#KetoForAnorexia

Keto For Anorexia- 5 Dramatic Individual Journeys

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 20:55:16 -0400

Anorexia nervosa is a devastating eating disorder with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness. Restricted diets are considered contraindicated in anorexia. However, emerging evidence suggests that therapeutic nutritional ketosis from a ketogenic diet could be a safe and effective treatment for those battling anorexia. In this podcast, we share the stories of participants of the first case studies of monotherapy with a ketogenic diet to treat active anorexia. In June 2023, Dr. Nick Norwitz published a case report of three dramatic stories of individuals living with anorexia who had failed to find a successful treatment. After all three tried an animal-based ketogenic diet, their thoughts and anxiety around food restriction disappeared. We are fortunate to have interviews with all three individuals, plus two more, including a registered dietician, all brave enough to share their stories and help educate everyone about their experience. It’s important to note that while this doesn’t mean nutritional ketosis is a cure for anorexia, these case reports provide important evidence that we need to consider. They challenge the common medical belief that a ketogenic diet is contraindicated in anorexia. Case reports like these are helping encourage more research into whether therapeutic nutritional ketosis can and should be used as a treatment for anorexia. Watch this channel for news of the first larger-scale clinical trial conducted by University of California, San Diego which will begin August 1 (via funding from Baszucki Group). Author of the Case Report: Nick Norwitz, PhD, Medical student at Harvard Medical School Twitter: @nicknorwitz Publications relevant to this video: Animal-based ketogenic diet puts severe anorexia nervosa into multi-year remission: A case series https://doi.org/10.4102/jir.v6i1.84 Remission from Chronic Anorexia Nervosa With Ketogenic Diet and Ketamine: Case Report https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00763/full Ketogenic diet and ketamine infusion treatment to target chronic persistent eating disorder psychopathology in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9803738/ Metabolic Mind’s playlist for Keto for Anorexia: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzWI83-NWCL4t_57bTvro3_Umzvr19KBF 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #Anorexia

#AnorexiaNervosa

#KetoForEatingDisorders

#NewAnorexiaResearch

#EatingDisorder

#KetoForAnorexia #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

Treating Anorexia with Keto

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:48:24 -0400

Caroline lived with anorexia for 15 years and got to the point where she gave up hope of ever recovering and living a “normal” life. That is until her aunt, Dr. Barbara Scolnick, helped Caroline start a ketogenic diet and ketamine infusions. The result was dramatic. Caroline says she is now cured of her anorexia and lives the “normal” life she never thought she would.

But it took courage, support, and faith in an unproven treatment to get her to where she is now. Here’s her dramatic and inspiring story.

Featured in this video:

Caroline Beckwith

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrKK8_znRxl4uO47AuMqglA

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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders.

#MetabolicMind

#KetoForMentalHealth

#MetabolicPsychiatry

#BipolarTreatment

#MetabolicNeuroscience

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

#Anorexia

#EatingDisorder

#KetoForAnorexia

Upcoming Research Study: Ketogenic diet for Anorexia Nervosa

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:37:51 -0400

A new study of Ketogenic Diet for treating Anorexia Nervosa will launch at UC San Diego in late summer 2023. Leading psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Guido Frank joins The Metabolic Mind Podcast to discuss the goals and design of the upcoming trial. Patients will be enrolled for a study duration of 16 weeks. Dr. Frank also discusses the lack of new treatment paradigms for Anorexia, as well as potential mechanisms of action of ketogenic therapy, including changes in brain metabolism. Dr. Frank and his team will explore, in the study, whether nutritional ketosis could be an effective therapy, bringing hope to many living with Anorexia Nervosa. Metabolic Mind will share details of the study when it begins enrolling patients after IRB approval. One in person visit to UCSD is required, but the rest of the study will be conducted remotely.

Guido Frank, MD

Professor of Psychiatry at UCSD

Eating Disorder Expert

https://profiles.ucsd.edu/guido.frank

Twitter @GuidoFrank

Papers referenced in this video:

Ketogenic diet and ketamine infusion treatment to target chronic persistent eating disorder psychopathology in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9803738/

Synergy between ketamine and ketogenic diet in anorexia nervosa, and other neurobehavioral disorders

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36788151/

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:

#MetabolicMind

#KetoForMentalHealth

#MetabolicPsychiatry

#MetabolicNeuroscience

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

#KetamineTherapy

#Anorexia

#EatingDisorder

Psychiatrist Transforms His Practice with Keto and Metabolic Treatments

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 21:22:58 -0400

Dr. Matthew Bernstein is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist with over two decades of clinical experience. Yet, despite his extensive training and experience, he wasn’t helping his patients thrive as he had hoped. So when a personal experience led him to nutritional ketosis, he realized this could be a missing link for helping his patients. Over the ensuing year, Dr. Bernstein has focused on metabolic treatments and has seen dramatic improvements in his patients and a renewed sense of purpose and accomplishment with his professional practice.

As the Chief Medical Office for Ellenhorn, Dr. Bernstein wants to help other psychiatrists and clinicians learn about metabolic treatments like nutritional ketosis, time-restricted eating, etc. In this interview, he shares his personal journey, clinical experience, and how patients and clinicians can benefit from recognizing the connection between metabolic and mental health.

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/

Experts featured in this video:

Matthew Bernstein, MD

https://www.ellenhorn.com/our-team/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bernstein-5743338

About us:

#MetabolicMind

#KetoForMentalHealth

#MetabolicPsychiatry

#BipolarTreatment

#MetabolicNeuroscience

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy

#DepressionTreatment

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

#Ellenhorn

Dietitian Cures Her Anorexia With Keto

Mon, 22 May 2023 23:59:02 -0400

Michelle Hurn put her anorexia into remission using nutritional ketosis through a ketogenic diet. That meant going against everything she was taught as a patient and as a dietitian. Now she wants to share her journey and help others achieve similar breakthrough results.

But the path wasn’t easy. In this interview, you’ll hear how Michelle struggled for years to treat her anorexia and how she had to overcome her fear to finally try nutritional ketosis. As a registered dietitian, she now understands the faults in everything she learned and hopes to be a voice of reason for others looking for nutritional solutions to their health challenges.

Table of Contents:

0:00 - Introduction

4:30 - Interview with Michelle Hurn

30:42 - Conclusion

Featured in this video:

Michelle Hurn, RD, author of Dietitian’s Dilemma

Instagram @runeatmeatrepeat

https://thedietitiansdilemma.net/

Relevant papers:

Synergy between ketamine and ketogenic diet in anorexia nervosa, and other neurobehavioral disorders

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36788151/

Ketogenic diet and ketamine infusion treatment to target chronic persistent eating disorder psychopathology in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35997954/

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:

#MetabolicMind

#KetoForMentalHealth

#MetabolicPsychiatry

#Anorexia

#EatingDisorder

#KetoForAnorexia

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

Does Keto Cause Heart Disease?

Mon, 15 May 2023 20:36:10 -0400

There’s a common belief that being in nutritional ketosis or following a ketogenic diet increases your risk of developing heart disease. But the reality is there is no such evidence. Instead, the incorrect belief is based on inaccurate and misleading data, and the assumption that LDL cholesterol increases in everyone on a keto diet. But, as board-certified cardiologist and lipidologist Dr. Bret Scher explains in this video, there’s far more to the story.

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:

#MetabolicMind

#KetoForMentalHealth

#MetabolicPsychiatry

#HeartDisease

#LDL

#LeanMassHyperResponder

#BipolarTreatment

#MetabolicNeuroscience

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

Metabolic Therapies for Psychiatry: State of the Evidence

Tue, 02 May 2023 16:48:10 -0400

Metabolic health is strongly connected to mental health, and metabolic therapies, like nutritional ketosis, or the insulin-sensitizing medication metformin, can improve psychiatric symptoms or even put them into remission. But how strong is the evidence connecting metabolic and mental health? Stanford psychiatrist Dr. Shebani Sethi and Dalhousie psychiatrist Dr. Cynthia Calkin help us explore the state of the evidence. And importantly, they help put the evidence into perspective. For instance, what level of evidence do you need if you are a prescribing psychiatrist versus a mom desperate for help for her child? Drs. Sethi and Calkin conduct research in this area and are experienced clinicians treating patients regularly. This combination gives them the insight to help us better understand the state of the evidence.

Experts featured in this video:

Shebani Sethi, MD. Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director of the Metabolic Psychiatry Clinic at Stanford University. https://metabolicpsychiatry.com/stanford-affiliates Twitter @ShebaniMD

Cynthia Calkin, MD. Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Medical Neurosciences at Dalhousie University. https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/psychiatry/our-people/faculty/cynthia-calkin.html

Academic papers referenced in this video:

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/35120288/

The relationship between bipolar disorder and type 2 diabetes: more than just co-morbid disorders https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22621171/

The Role of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy on the Brain in Serious Mental Illness: A Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9728807/

Table of Contents:

0:00 - Introduction

2:11 - Interview with Dr. Shebani Sethi

11:42 - Interview with Dr. Cynthia Calkin

15:23 - Continuing Interviews

32:41 - Conclusion

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:

#MetabolicMind

#KetoForMentalHealth

#MetabolicPsychiatry

#MetabolicNeuroscience

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

#Science

Adjusting Psychiatric Medications on a Keto Diet

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 15:32:35 -0400

Can a keto diet help with tapering psychiatric medications in conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, or other psychiatric illness? Can you decrease or even stop taking some or all of your medications? There is no universal answer to this question; it depends on the individual.

Psychotropic medications are typically first-line therapy for treating serious mental illness and can be life-saving. But over time, medications alone may not be completely effective in treating symptoms. And especially at high doses, they can come with problematic side effects.

Metabolic nutritional therapy, specifically with nutritional ketosis, can add another treatment layer and may help promote cognitive function, mood stability and energy and overall functioning. Anecdotal evidence and growing numbers of case reports show that nutritional ketosis can help people be well enough to consider lowering the doses and number of their medications. That said, we cannot stress enough that it is essential that anyone considering reducing their medications work with their prescribing clinician, whether or not they are using nutritional ketosis as a treatment strategy.

Experts featured in this video:

Georgia Ede, MD - www.diagnosisdiet.com

Twitter @GeorgiaEdeMD

Ketogenic Diets and Psychiatric Medications

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/diagnosis-diet/201803/ketogenic-diets-and-psychiatric-medications

Matt Baszucki, co-host of Bipolarcast on YouTube

BipolarCast - YouTube

Study Referenced:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35873236/

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:

#MetabolicMind

#KetoForMentalHealth

#MetabolicPsychiatry

#MedicationReduction

#BipolarTreatment

#MetabolicNeuroscience

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy

#DepressionTreatment

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

#TaperingPsychiatricMedications

#TaperMeds

#KetoTaperingMeds

#KetoPsychMeds

#TaperMedsBipolar

#TaperDepressionMeds

Ketosis and Ketamine for Anorexia

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 16:43:26 -0400

A newly published pilot study indicates a keto diet combined with ketamine infusions can dramatically improve anorexia nervosa eating disorder. But it may not be right for everyone. Hear from the study’s authors about why they conducted the study and who they think this approach could help. Experts featured in this video: Barbara Scolnick, MD Internist and Eating Disorder Specialist Guido Frank, MD Professor of Psychiatry at UCSD Eating Disorder Expert https://profiles.ucsd.edu/guido.frank Twitter @GuidoFrank Lori Calabrese, MD Founder and Medical Director of Innovative Psychiatry https://www.loricalabresemd.com/meet-lori-calabrese/ Twitter @loricalabresemd Papers referenced in this video: Ketogenic diet and ketamine infusion treatment to target chronic persistent eating disorder psychopathology in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9803738/ 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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#MentalIllnessTreatment#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth#BipolarDiet#ketaminetherapy #anorexia #eatingdisorder

The Link between Insulin Resistance and Depression – An interview with Dr. Natalie Rasgon

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 18:11:39 -0400

Metabolic dysfunction, such as insulin resistance and pre-diabetes, is closely associated with symptoms of depression. But how do we know if metabolic dysfunction causes depression? Or if metabolic therapies could treat depression? Those are more difficult questions to answer, but there is accumulating biological evidence that links insulin resistance and depressive disorders.

Dr. Natalie Rasgon, a psychiatrist and clinician-researcher at Stanford University, published an important paper suggesting a possible causative role. Her research showed that measures of insulin resistance predicted the incidence of major depressive disorder. We discuss the background and findings of the study, as well as the take-home message–screening for and treating metabolic dysfunction can improve symptoms of depression.

Experts featured in this video: Natalie Rasgon, MD PhD Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University https://profiles.stanford.edu/natalie-rasgon

Articles referenced in this video: Incident major depressive disorder predicted by three measures of insulin resistance: A Dutch cohort study https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2021.20101479

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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #BipolarTreatment #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #DepressionTreatment#NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllnessTreatment#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth#BipolarDiet#insulinresistance #InsulinResistanceDepression#TreatmentResistantDepression

Keto for Brain Health – A Dramatic Personal Journey

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 14:07:08 -0400

Here's an inspiring story of one family using nutritional ketosis to treat dementia and eventually regain their lives. While everyone may not have as dramatic benefits from a keto diet, Mary and her daughter Suzi demonstrate what's possible. Born with Down's Syndrome, Suzi lived with cognitive delay but was always able to enjoy her life and her family. Then, at the age of 43, dementia set in, and her family's life changed, seemingly forever. But then Mary found Dr. Anette Bosworth and learned about nutritional ketosis. The rest is a heartwarming and motivational story that highlights the power of this metabolic nutritional intervention. Published case report: Case report: Ketogenic diet acutely improves cognitive function in patient with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1085512/full Featured in this video: Dr. Annette Bosworth Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/annettebosworthmd Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnetteBosworth 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 nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. 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 #alzheimerdisease #dementia #dementiacare #downsyndrome #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

Metformin, Insulin Resistance and Bipolar depression: From research to clinical care

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 17:12:28 -0400

Dr. Cynthia Calkin's study using Metformin in treatment-resistant Bipolar Disorder showed that improving insulin resistance dramatically improved depression outcomes. This research is helping shift the paradigm for how we treat bipolar disorder. Her clinical practice and research studies demonstrate that metabolic dysfunction significantly contributes to mental illness and, perhaps even more importantly, that treating metabolic dysfunction results in significant symptomatic improvements.

This is a dramatic clinical shift in psychiatry, and as you will hear, it has been slow to catch on within the psychiatry community. But with Dr. Calikn’s research and her desire to help as many people as possible, Dr. Calkin is helping spread the word so more clinicians understand the benefit of approaching patients from a metabolic perspective.

Studies referenced in this video:

Insulin Resistance and Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction Underlie Neuroprogression in Bipolar Disorder https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34113269/

Table of Contents:

0:00 - Introduction

1:57 - Interview with Dr. Cynthia Calkin

46:06 - Conclusion

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:

#MetabolicMind

#KetoForMentalHealth

#MetabolicPsychiatry

#BipolarTreatment

#BipolarDepression

#InsulinResistanceBipolar

#MetforminForBipolar

#TrioBDStudy.

#MetabolicNeuroscience

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy

#DepressionTreatment

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

Researcher with Bipolar Shatters Stigma

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 17:12:16 -0400

If you or a loved one lives with bipolar disorder, this podcast is one you don’t want to miss. Dr. Iain Campbell is a shining example of what “success” looks like in treating serious mental illness. For years, Dr. Campbell took medications to minimize his most serious symptoms of Bipolar Disorder but never felt well. Then, by chance, he tried a ketogenic diet, which, as he describes it, “turned the lights back on” and radically changed his life. Since then, he became a researcher in metabolic psychiatry, a husband, a father, and a consistent role model for those with bipolar disorder.

Dr. Campbell has a Ph.D. in global health from the University of Edinburgh and is a researcher at the University of Edinburgh. He is the co-principal investigator of the first European trial of a ketogenic diet for Bipolar Disorder and is the recipient of the inaugural Baszucki Brain Research Fund Metabolic Psychiatry Research Fellowship.

He co-hosts the Bipolarcast podcast and frequently speaks about his experience with bipolar. His openness is helping transform the way we publicly talk and think about bipolar disorder. Dr. Campbell has a rare combination of personal knowledge and experience combined with a deep scientific understanding that will help revolutionize the treatment of Bipolar disorder.

Bipolarcast on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDB-iMvEJ-HeHqpamIN5JWw/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0

Twitter @iaincampbellphd https://twitter.com/IainCampbellPhD?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Website https://ketobipolar.com/

About us:

Join our mailing list and learn more about metabolic psychiatry at https://metabolicmind.org/

Metabolic Mind: Metabolism and Mental Health

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 20:31:43 -0400

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative providing education & resources at the intersection of metabolic & mental health. Metabolic interventions like nutritional ketosis are being used to treat serious mental illnesses like Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, & Major Depressive Disorder. We are here to help you learn if a ketogenic lifestyle could help you or a loved one living with a mental disorder improve your quality of life, or even send your psychiatric symptoms into remission.

Watch our videos at https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind

Our channel is for information only. Consult your physician before changing your lifestyle or medications.