International Low Carb Awareness Week 2023

01-07 December 2023

In this presentation, I'll take you on an exciting journey through the fascinating realm of the low carbohydrate ketogenic diet (KD), exploring its medical and therapeutic applications, and its profound impact on patients in the fields of neurology and psychiatry. I will give you a captivating glimpse into the world of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and unravel its underlying mechanisms, dissect its potential connection to stroke, and discover how the innovative Therapeutic Carbohydrate Reduction (TCR) or Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy (KMT) serves as a powerful tool in my neurology practice, effectively addressing and preventing associated complications, with a special focus on stroke.

This presentation also tackles the important role of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy (KMT) for patients with epilepsy, dementia/Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), migraine headache and neuropsychiatric/mental health problems.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) strikes fear into everyone. But can AD be slowed down; can we do something to delay when it starts and how hard it strikes? There is growing evidence that a conscientious prevention approach can help one resist AD. The prevention approach to AD is the same as for what are called the ‘chronic Western diseases’ – hypertension, type 2 diabetes and obesity. The hormone insulin appears to play a key role in AD. Insulin tends to be less effective at controlling blood sugar (glucose) in older people, especially if they are sedentary. This in turn decreases the amount of fuel getting to the brain making it harder for brain cells to talk to each other so memories gradually slip away. Our research shows that it is difficult to increase glucose supply to the brain once it has declined in older people, even with exercise. Ketones are the brain’s back-up fuel and the brain of someone with AD can use ketones as well as the brain of a young adult. Moderate exercise helps get more ketones into the brain. Some older people may not be able to exercise but one can make a ketone drink made from medium chain triglyceride (MCT) in one’s kitchen. We are in the middle of a trial with an MCT drink in people at high risk of AD. The early results show a significant benefit for memory. There will be no miracle cures for AD but a prevention approach may delay and/or slow it down.

A major focus of Dr. Cunnane’s research over the past 30 years has been to develop a better understanding of the role of omega-3 fatty acids and ketones in human brain development and function. His team uses PET and MR imaging to study the impact of aging on brain structure and fuel metabolism. This information is applied to the development of keto-neurotherapeutic strategies for reducing the risk and progression of aging-associated cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed research papers and five books. Two of his books highlight the concept that the key role of ketones for normal human brain development was of importance to overcoming the nutritional, metabolic and structural constraints on human brain evolution: Survival of the Fattest: The Key to Human Brain Evolution (World Scientific 2005), and Human Brain Evolution: Influence of Fresh and Coastal Food Resources (Wiley, 2010). Dr. Cunnane was elected to the French National Academy of Medicine in 2009. In Oct 2017, he received the Chevreul Medal from the French Society for the Study of Lipids for outstanding contributions in the area of omega-3 fatty acid metabolism and the role of ketones in optimal brain function during aging.

Dr. Stephen Cunnane PhD discusses the beginnings of cognitive impairment and early reversible Alzheimer's. He makes very valid recommendations as to what you can do to reduce or reverse your cognitive impairment risk. We also discuss the importance of physical activity as a way to reduce the risk of dementia and the role of micronutrients. His findings are incredible. From childhood to senescence, what nutrition is optimal for the healthiest brain growth and development and which nutrient imbalances contribute to more rapid brain deterioration and brain cell dysfunction and death? Dr Cunnane is an incredible scientist willing to talk about what he knows but not willing to speculate like so many on the internet.

Know the scientific truth about how your body works. Ask and answer the right questions to optimize your health!

Dr. Nicholas Norwitz obtained his PhD in ketogenics and neurodegenerative diseases at Oxford University in just two years and is now pursing his MD at Harvard Medical School. His research expertise is ketosis and brain aging; however, he has published scientific papers on topics ranging from neuroscience to heart disease to gastrointestinal health to genetics to bone health to diabetes.

Nick’s passion for Food as Medicine is founded a personal history. At eighteen years old, he developed severe osteoporosis, a bone disease that crippled his promising running career. Next, Nick developed ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease so severe as to cause him to lose twenty percent of his body weight in weeks and end up in the palliative care ward of a hospital with a heart rate in the twenties.

Through scientific self-study, Nick discovered his salvation in a ketogenic diet. He reversed his osteoporosis and colitis and is thriving! But Nick is grateful for his apparent misfortunes. In his words, “The most remarkable part of my story is that it’s not unique. The healthcare system isn’t built to address metabolic diseases. For that, we need metabolic medicine rooted in nutrition. My lifelong goal is to help reform the system and educate people. Plus, I’d like to think being a patient has made me a more compassionate person.”

Dr Paul Mason obtained his medical degree with honours from the University of Sydney, and also holds degrees in Physiotherapy and Occupational Health. He is a Specialist Sports Medicine and Exercise Physician.

Dr Mason developed an interest in low carbohydrate diets in 2011. Since then he has spent hundreds of hours reading and analysing the scientific literature.

For a number of years, Dr. Mason has been applying this knowledge in treating metabolic and arthritis patients who have achieved dramatic and sustained weight loss and reductions in joint pain.

This presentation was recorded for 'Low Carb International All Stars – Online Conference' held in June 2020.

Elevated levels of ketone bodies, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate, can have beneficial effects on several brain-related diseases. Research suggests that ketone bodies can increase blood flow in the brain by 30 to 40 percent, which may have profound effects for patients with brain injury or vascular dementia. By studying ischemic wounds, which are analogous to an aged brain or clogged arteries, researchers observed increased blood flow when ketone levels were elevated. Nutritional ketosis may also reduce neural inflammation which may be a predictor of seizure in epilepsy. In this clip, Dr. Dominic D'Agostino describes the positive effects that ketones can have on the brain.

Could a ketogenic diet be the solution for Alzheimer's we have been waiting for? A new study shows that a ketogenic diet is better than a low-fat diet for quality of life and activities for daily living in those with Alzheimer's disease. For a devastating condition with few if any helpful treatments, this could be the start of a revolution in Alzheimer's care.

A new study shows ketones improve cognitive function. This could have huge implications for treating those with early dementia.

Does a keto diet help with Alzheimer's? Alzheimer's Disease expert Dr. Mary Newport discusses her personal discovery of the ketogenic diet as an effective treatment for her husband's Alzheimer's symptoms.

In this video Dr Newport talks about some of the trials which are using MCT and ketogenic diets to address mild cognitive impairment and Parkinson's.

Nearly six million individuals live with Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S., and the numbers continue to rise. After 30 years of encountering dead ends while addressing Alzheimer’s disease as a problem of brain plaques, researchers are looking at other contributing factors. 

There is a growing body of evidence that indicates a strong correlation between Alzheimer’s disease and a disrupted metabolic state, where the brain can’t get enough energy.

On today’s episode of The Dhru Purohit Podcast, Dhru sits down with Dr. Benjamin Bikman, a renowned metabolic research scientist, and a popular speaker on human metabolism and nutrition. Backed by years of research, Dr. Bikman’s mission is to help the world appreciate the prevalence and relevance of insulin resistance. He is the author of, Why We Get Sick, which offers a thought-provoking yet real solution to insulin resistance and how to reverse pre-diabetes, improve brain function, shed fat, and prevent diabetes. Dr. Bikman has a Doctor of Philosophy in Bioenergetics from East Carolina University, a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology, and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University.

In this episode, we dive into:  

 - Why Alzheimer’s disease is increasingly being referred to as insulin resistance of the brain or Type 3 diabetes (7:30)

 - How the brain runs on different fuel sources (10:24)

 - Why insulin prevents the production of ketones (15:59)

 - Early signs of potential cognitive decline (27:02)

 - Common foods that drive insulin resistance (37:50)

 - The role insulin resistance plays in migraine headaches and epilepsy (52:22)

 - Where to get your carbohydrates from (1:02:25)

 - Foods that fuel your body and brain (1:05:40)

 - How seed oils wreak havoc on our health (1:13:43)

 - What you can do today to reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease (1:24:19)

Fructose and its byproduct uric acid may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s, thanks to an evolutionary adaptation hijacked by the modern diet. Fructose can be directly consumed, or the body can convert high-glycemic carbohydrates and other foods to fructose. Fructose suppresses some cognitive functions. Dr. Richard Johnson and Dr. Rob Lustig discuss a new study, of which Johnson was an author, on how fructose may be a potential driver in Alzheimer’s, and they hypothesize about fructose’s potential connection to the development of other conditions.