I try not to get too excited about research, but I can hardly contain my excitement! There is so much misrepresentation with regards to the use of a ketogenic diet as medical nutrition therapy. Today, a study was published, which you can read HERE.
Dr. Yadav looked at the gut microbiome of patients who had mild cognitive decline. He found a positive correlation with decreased markers of Alzheimer’s disease when patients consumed a Mediterranean Modified Ketogenic Diet (MMKD). This may just be the first human study on brain health and the MMKD protocol.
Additionally, this study is important because it shows that the bacteria in the gut can affect a person’s brain health. This is huge!
The study was well-designed, and I can only hope it is the first of many to come. Practicing nutrition is truly my life’s calling. Waiting for the science to catch up takes a lot of patience. As always, I continue to be on the lookout for the latest information to help those with neuro-inflammatory conditions. This Registered Dietitian will never stop fighting for you guys!
What a whirlwind of a week! The polar vortex swept in just about the time I boarded a plane to (supposedly) sunny California to present my case study on Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and the Ketogenic Diet at the 2019 Metabolic Health Summit.
California was MUCH warmer than New Jersey, but unfortunately rainy. Wet weather didn’t bother me a bit, though, because I stayed inside savoring every word I heard from some truly amazing physicians and researchers presenting their incredible research on the new horizon of ketogenic nutrition and metabolic diseases.
Perhaps the most astounding fact I learned was presented by the esteemed Dr. Sarah Hallberg: only 12.2% of people in the United States are considered metabolically healthy. The implications of this are far-reaching. Our country is sick, and we need to change dietary habits to remedy it. Lectures on brain health, heart health, and metabolic health were discussed at length. Breakout sessions were peppered with inspiring stories of personal change and motivation to education the public.
One more fun fact I learned: Babies are born into ketosis and mother’s milk contains medium-chain triglycerides to keep babies in a state of ketosis so the brain can access fat! Fat is an essential part of brain development, so this is likely nature’s way of optimizing it. Very fascinating!
I learned so much regarding the science behind this 100-year old medical grade diet, which is slowly being adopted as a better way to eat, when done under proper medical and/or dietetic supervision. We have lived for decades in fear of dietary fat, when all along it has actually been the simple carbohydrates like sugar causing us to fall ill. Think back to the 1980s when we swapped fat for carbs in products such as Entenmanns and Snackwells- the rate of obesity and diabetes have skyrocketed since.
Most interesting to me was the science behind “insulin resistance” in the brain, which does not utilize glucose as it should. Some neuro-inflammatory brain diseases have shown reversal with a proper ketogenic diet.
I would like to thank my fellow dietitian colleagues, Beth Zupec-Kania and Laura Shammah for guiding me and being my support system through my professional journey. I would also like to give a shout out to the inspiring dietitians I met at the Metabolic Health Summit, Heather Ayala, Catriona Kiernan, L.J. Amaral, and Tara Finnerty.
Bonnie Nasar RDN, Healther Ayala MS RD, and Caitriona Kiernan RD at the Metabolic Health Summit
And let’s not forget the speakers! Here is a partial list of the phenomenal speakers from which I had the privilege of learning. Click on each name to watch the docs in action via YouTube :
I also had the pleasure of meeting Audra Wilford co-founder of the MaxLove Project , an organization that gives support to families with children diagnosed with brain tumors, and James Abrams, co-founder of The Charlie Foundation, an organization that supports epileptic patients and their families with the ketogenic diet. I was interviewed by a wonderful Functional Medicine physician, Dr. Paulina Vega, from Chile, which was such a treat!
A very sincere thank you to the powerhouse trio that put on such an amazing Metabolic Health Summit- Angela Poff, Victoria Field, and Dominic D’Agostino. I am so grateful I had this opportunity to further my knowledge of metabolic disease as it relates to nutrition, and I look forward to integrating this cutting edge information into my private practice.
There is always going to be a study supporting one diet or product over another. So how are we to decide what is sound medical/nutrition advice? Let’s break it down into the right questions to ask:
1.Can you find the source of the study? You will find many Instagram posts, diet guru articles, and news outlets stating “Studies show….”. If a specific study is cited, find it and read it. Find out who sponsored the study, how large the study was, etc. For example, if a study is done on the positive effects of soy on health, but was sponsored by the American Soybean Association and had only 10 patients in it, we don’t put much stock in that. However, if the study was out of an unaffiliated center, and had hundreds of participants, we can consider it more valid. (There are still many other factors involved, but this info will quickly tell you if you should close your browser window on an article or keep reading).
2. Who is giving you the information? There are many influencers on social media today who are paid to give their two cents. Are they experts? No! They are the modern day equivalent of a paid T.V. commercial ad. Ask yourself, is this a medical professional? What is their degree? Is it accredited and nationally recognized?
3. Are they trying to sell you something? Many times you will find what is called “click-bait” online. Pseudo-practitioners will cite studies showing that they have a miracle product. If something seems too good to be true, it is. Real medical practitioners know that science is an ever-changing field of study, and will not promote miracle cures. Any product or supplement that claims to “cure everything” will at best swindle you out of your money, or at worst, harm you with unsafe ingredients.
Those with chronic illnesses such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and Mast Cell Disease are at particular risk of being taken advantage of since there aren’t many treatments available. Be careful what you read out there- ask questions! Knowledge is power, but only if the knowledge comes from reputable sources.
Many people like to start off the new year with a resolution or two. I prefer to start it off with a blessing for all of my followers. When we put things out into the universe, the universe hears us!
So for all of you reading, may you be blessed with the ability to try new remedies and to figure out your triggers (and avoid them). May your troubles improve, and your happiness & health leap to new bounds.
I wish for you a year filled with better things! You don’t know how strong and capable you are until you try!
Dysautonomia can affect many Ehlers Danlos Syndrome patients. It is the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the symptoms can be quite debilitating. Most commonly, patients complain of resting tachycardia (elevated resting heart rate), orthostatic hypotension (blood pressure is too low when standing up), breathing issues, gastrointestinal and genito-urinary issues, and excessive sweating.
POTS, or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome falls under the dysautonoia umbrella. It is a condition where your heart rate is increased by 30 beats per minute (BPM) upon going from a lying down to a standing position.Â
I had a recent bout myself of a flare, and it was not fun! There are a few things we can do to help alleviate dysautonomia and POTS symptoms that don’t require the use of medications. However, sometimes medicine is necessary. If you find yourself feeling any symptoms, call your physician.
From a nutrition perspective, it is very important to have the right ratio of fluid and electrolytes in the body. It is advisable to consume two liters of water per day. While most people are told by their doctors to limit salt intake, POTSies need their salt. The general recommendation is to consume 3-5 grams of salt per day. Diet can also play an important role. Limiting carbs and eating lean proteins can improve symptoms. Caffeine and alcohol can also contribute to worsening of symptoms. It is also important to address any nutrient deficiencies, as some of them can contribute to symptoms as well.
Dysautonomia and POTS are complicated syndromes and require a skilled practitioner to help navigate. Nutrition is known to play a large role in the exacerbation of symptoms. Sometimes it is hard to tell which symptoms are from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and which are from dysautonomia. Seek the help of a registered dietitian or physician (who specializes in this condition) if you experience a flare. Sometimes careful analysis of diet, supplementation, hydration, and activity with a skilled practitioner can find the trigger and help you to feel better.
If you have done your research and are ready to start a ketogenic diet to help alleviate symptoms, here are some tools to have on hand:
1) A blood ketone monitor such as the Keto Mojo found HERE . You will need to check your ketone levels after meals to see how foods affect you.
2) Keto friendly flours such as almond flour, coconut flour, and flax meal. You can make breads, crackers, and even desserts from these products.
3) Water- lots and lots of water! It is so important on the ketogenic diet to drink at least as much fluids as you are consuming in calories. For instance, if you are eating 1800 calories per day, you need to drink at least 1800 ml of water.
4) Fats. But here’s the thing- you don’t need tons of meat and heavy cream. A heart healthy alternative to keto is using olive oil, avocados, and other plant based non-saturated fats such as walnuts and almonds.
5) A dietitian! Calculating your macronutrients can be exasperating. Making sure you get enough micronutrients is no picnic easier. Consult with a registered dietitian trained in the ketogenic diet to help you navigate this way of eating.
You may have hear people talk about the keto diet for weight loss, but studies indicate the ketogenic diet can be helpful in decreasing symptoms of some neurological diseases & chronic pain sufferers. Most people often follow an Atkins-esque bacon, butter & eggs plan. Sounds disgusting doesn’t it? That’s why I developed a version of the ketogenic diet specially tailored to those with chronic inflammatory diseases that lends towards a Mediterranean diet. You can eat healthy and get into ketosis! Contact me to learn more about how this way of eating can work for you.
