An animal based ketogenic diet involves consuming only animal products, which can include meat, organs, animal fat, eggs, poultry, fish and sometimes dairy, while excluding all plant food groups. This is practically a zero carbohydrate, moderate protein and high fat diet, where 65-80% of the calories are coming from dietary fat.
When considering a ketogenic carnivore diet specifically for mental health, there are numerous personal testimonials, emerging research, and professional opinions that paint a complex picture.
The Benefits of an Animal Based Ketogenic Diet for Mental Health
Reduction in Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: anecdotal evidence from advocates of a high-fat carnivore diet report significant improvements in their mood, anxiety levels, and depressive symptoms. This might be attributed to several factors:
Nutrient Density: animal products are rich in nutrients like Vitamin B12, iron, zinc, choline, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin K2, carnitine, and omega-3 fatty acids, which play critical roles in neurotransmitter function and other processes, potentially contributing to better mood regulation.
Adequate protein and balanced amino acids: this diet assures sufficient amount of essential and non-essential amino acids the body and mind need and that the human body cannot produce by its own.
Blood Sugar Stability: the absence of carbohydrates and higher fat intake lead to more stable blood sugar levels, which helps mitigate mood swings and depressive episodes. High blood sugar and insulin spikes can contribute to mood instability.
Ketone bodies: the production of ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyrate) from fat metabolism has been shown to have neuroprotective effects. Some studies suggest that ketones can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, which could play roles in mood regulation.
Neurotransmitter Balance: there's evidence suggesting that a ketogenic diet helps balancing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which can influence mood. The diet's effect on neurotransmitter pathways is suggested to contribute to mood stabilization and the reduction of symptoms of different mental illnesses.
Mental Clarity: many individuals on a ketogenic diet report experiencing clearer thinking and the absence of brain fog. This is most probably due to the brain's efficient use of ketones as an alternative fuel source to glucose, potentially leading to enhanced cognitive function. Mental illness is associated with metabolic dysfunction and energy deficiency in their brain.
Neurogenesis: some research indicates that ketones might promote neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons), which could benefit cognitive health over time.
Neuroprotection: conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's have been studied in relation to the ketogenic diet. While not all results are conclusive, the diet's potential to provide protection to neurons and improve mitochondrial function could have secondary benefits for mental health by slowing disease progression.
Gut Health and Mental Health: there's increasing interest in the gut-brain axis, where gut health influences mental health. Plant foods can cause digestive issues and gut inflammation in many people, so removing them can potentially improve gut health, reduce gut and systemic inflammation. These all benefit mental health.
Elimination of Potential Food Sensitivities: for those with sensitivities or allergies to common plant foods, but also dairy and eggs, removing these from the diet can alleviate symptoms that could have been exacerbating emotional health issues.
What health concerns of my clients with mental health problems have improved on an animal based ketogenic diet?
Energy level
Brain fog
Depression
Headaches
Digestive problems
Lifelong constipation
Joint pain
Sleep
Hairloss
Metabolic Psychiatry
It is an emerging field that investigates the relationship between metabolic health and mental health disorders. It explores how metabolic dysfunctions like insulin resistance, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction can influence or contribute to psychiatric conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.
The key aspects of Metabolic Psychiatry
Connection Between Metabolic Health and Mental Health: This field recognizes that many psychiatric patients have a high prevalence of metabolic disorders like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The connection might be bidirectional, where poor metabolic health can lead to or exacerbate mental health issues, and vice versa.
Interventions: Metabolic Psychiatry often involves non-pharmacological interventions like dietary changes, particularly ketogenic diets, to improve metabolic health which might, in turn, alleviate psychiatric symptoms. The Ketogenic Diet has been more extensively studied for its impacts on mental health, particularly in treating conditions like epilepsy but also showing promise in mood disorders. The mechanism often involves ketone bodies providing an alternative energy source for the brain, potentially reducing inflammation and stabilizing neurotransmitter function. Within the ketogenic community, there's a subset that follows an animal-based ketogenic diet which shares similarities with the carnivore diet but includes higher fat content from animal sources. Other interventions might include lifestyle modifications like exercise, intermittent fasting, and even pharmacological approaches.
Research and Findings: There's growing evidence suggesting that improving metabolic health can have therapeutic effects on mental health. For instance, studies have shown improvements in symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia with ketogenic diets or other metabolic therapies. These diets are thought to stabilize brain energy metabolism, reduce inflammation, and balance neurotransmitter activity, which can explain their effectiveness.
Clinical Application: Clinics specializing in Metabolic Psychiatry, like the one at Stanford University, integrate these metabolic strategies into treatment plans for patients with psychiatric disorders, aiming to improve both their mental and physical health outcomes simultaneously.
Community and Advocacy: There's also a community aspect, with groups and platforms where patients and professionals share experiences and resources related to metabolic interventions for mental health, highlighting the role of community support in this new paradigm.
Conclusion
The exploration of an animal-based ketogenic diet for mental and physical health benefits unveils a landscape rich with anecdotal evidence and emerging scientific interest. This diet, characterized by its high fat, moderate protein, and near-zero carbohydrate approach, shows promise in alleviating symptoms of various mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairments. The benefits potentially stem from stable blood sugar levels, enhanced nutrient density, and the neuroprotective and mood-stabilizing effects of ketone bodies.
For those contemplating this dietary shift for mental health reasons, consulting with a nutritionist experienced in ketogenic diets is essential. Medical supervision is also advised to monitor and possibly adjust medication, given the diet's potential to alter drug metabolism. The emerging field of Metabolic Psychiatry further underscores the importance of considering metabolic health in mental health treatment, suggesting that such diets could be part of a broader, integrative approach to psychiatric care.
In conclusion, while an animal-based ketogenic diet holds potential for enhancing mental well-being, it should be adopted thoughtfully, with a focus on personalized health monitoring, to ensure it serves as a beneficial rather than detrimental intervention. The narrative around this diet in mental health is still being written, necessitating ongoing research, clinical trials, and open-minded yet critical evaluation.
Case Study from My Practice
Patient Profile:
Age: 68 years
Gender: Female
Diagnosis: Bipolar Disorder II, predominantly depressive state since 1975.
Initial Medication Regimen:
Initial Health Complaints:
Gastrointestinal: Chronic constipation, hemorrhoids, gastritis, reflux
ENT: Sinus issues, frequent blocked nose, ear infections
Musculoskeletal: Arthritis, joint pain, severe varicose veins, swollen legs, leg numbness when lying down
Dermatological: Fragile nails, herpes outbreaks under stress
Metabolic: Weight anxiety, chronic fatigue during depressive episodes
Psychological: Depression, low energy, emotional eating
Dietary Intervention:
Start Date: April 5th, 2024
Diet: Animal-based ketogenic, primarily consisting of beef, pork, bone marrow, liver, eggs, and butter with a fat to protein ratio of 2:1.
Beverages: Limited to water and up to 3 cups of coffee daily.
Supplements: Initially none; later Vitamin D and the medical food KetoCitra for a short period.
Observed Improvements
Mental Health:
Marked enhancement in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and overall mood stability. Patient reported no longer experiencing depression, with a consistently good mood.
Physical Health:
Gastrointestinal: Total resolution of constipation and reflux.
Respiratory: No more sinusitis or nasal congestion.
Musculoskeletal: Significant reduction in joint pain, with only mild knee discomfort on uphill walks; cessation of leg swelling.
Sleep: Improved quality, averaging 7 hours nightly with occasional daytime naps.
Energy and Activity: Increased vitality, leading to regular exercise routines including daily walks and three gym sessions weekly.
Metabolic and Blood Health:
Weight loss: 20 kg over 9 months.
Blood Glucose: Stabilized to the ideal range (approx. 70s mg/dL from 100 mg/dL).
Ketone Levels: Maintained at 0.7-0.9 mmol/L.
Blood Markers:
Decreased: Insulin, uric acid, triglycerides.
Increased: Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, LDL, HDL, Total cholesterol.
Ratios:
Total cholesterol/HDL: 3.4 (ideal < 3.5)
TG/HDL: 1.01 (ideal < 2.0)
LDL/HDL: 2.25 (good < 5, ideal < 2
Medication Adjustments:
Quetiapine reduced from 400 mg to 100 mg.
Rivotril and Dymista discontinued.
Aciclovir no longer needed since the diet began.
Statin discontinued shortly after starting the diet.
Diet Compliance:
Excellent adherence without reported cravings, indicating the diet was well-tolerated and sustainable.
Conclusion:
This case study illustrates significant health benefits from an animal-based ketogenic diet in a patient with long-standing bipolar disorder. Not only has there been a dramatic improvement in physical symptoms, but also in mental health, enhancing the patient's overall quality of life. Future considerations might include further medication adjustments as the patient continues to exhibit emotional stability and no symptoms of depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. This approach underscores the potential of dietary intervention in managing complex health conditions.
References
Keto and Low Carb – Stay for the Mental Health Benefits (Diet Doctor)
www.dietdoctor.com (Published: 2018-04-15)
Mental, emotional, and behavioral effects of ketogenic diet for non-epileptic neuropsychiatric conditions www.sciencedirect.com
Keto diet's new frontier: Bipolar disorder, depression, and other mental illness www.npr.org (Published: 2024-01-27)
Complete remission of depression and anxiety using a ketogenic diet: case series www.frontiersin.org
Ketogenic diets in clinical psychology: examining the evidence and implications for practice www.frontiersin.org
Impact of the Ketogenic Diet on Mental Health (Stanford Longevity Center Student longevity.stanford.edu (Published: 2024-04-09)
Study Finds Serious Mental Illnesses Improve on Ketogenic Diet www.diagnosisdiet.com (Published: 2022-08-09)
The Ketogenic Diet for Bipolar and other Psychiatric Disorders: The Science www.doctorkiltz.com (Published: 2023-01-14)
Keto diet may reduce stress and improve mood, study finds www.medicalnewstoday.com (Published: 2024-05-17)
Dr Chris Palmer: Brain Energy https://brainenergy.com
Dr Georgia Ede: Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mind
Kommentarer