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  2. #767 Harvard Doctor Reveals The Worst Foods You Need to STOP EATING To Heal The Brain & FIGHT DISEASE, The HIDDEN Link Between Diet and Mental Illness with Dr Chris Palmer

#767 Harvard Doctor Reveals The Worst Foods You Need to STOP EATING To Heal The Brain & FIGHT DISEASE, The HIDDEN Link Between Diet and Mental Illness with Dr Chris Palmer

Mar 29, 2024

Today, I am blessed to have here with me Dr. Chris Palmer. This is an exclusive interview we did LIVE on stage at the BioHacker Expo 2024.

You can learn more about the BioHacker Expo here: http://www.biohackerexpo.com 

Dr Chris Palmer received his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine. He did his internship and psychiatry residency at McLean Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School. He is currently the Founder and Director of the Metabolic and Mental Health Program and the Director of the Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education, both at McLean Hospital, and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

For the past 28 years, he has been an academic physician with administrative, research, educational, and clinical roles.

In this episode, Dr. Palmer speaks about the ketogenic diet's profound impact on physical and mental well-being. Through his psychiatric practice, he witnessed remarkable improvements in patients with various mental health disorders, leading him to emphasize the interconnected nature of brain function and dietary interventions. Dr. Palmer emphasizes the significance of precise ketosis monitoring in optimizing therapeutic benefits, recommending blood monitoring over urine strips and breath meters. Dr. Palmer stresses the importance of a three-month commitment from patients undergoing dietary interventions, noting the potential dangers of keto-adaptation for individuals with severe mental health conditions. Tune in as we chat about how exogenous ketones are not substitutes for the ketogenic diet.

Diabetes Method Program: https://diabetesmethod.com/ 

🥑 Get your Keto Recipe of the Week here:  http://www.ketokamprecipes.com 

/ / E P I S O D E   S P ON S O R S 

BonCharge: Blue light Blocking Glasses, Red Light Therapy, Sauna Blankets & More. Visit https://boncharge.com/pages/ketokamp and use the coupon code KETOKAMP for 15% off your order.

Beam Minerals: BEAM Minerals products are the perfect support for the keto/carnivore/fasting way of living as they won’t
break your fast, PLUS they taste just like water and will help you keep carb cravings at bay as you move into a fat-adapted state. Give BEAM Minerals a try today for an enhanced keto experience. Head to http://www.beamminerals.com and use the coupon code AZADI for a sweet discount! 

Text me the words "Podcast" +1 (786) 364-5002 to be added to my contacts list. 

All video interviews can be found on our YouTube channel. Visit http://www.youtube.com/ketokamp 

[01:00] A Journey from Personal Struggle to Professional Innovation in Mental Health Care

  • Dr. Palmer's journey begins with his struggles with mental illness, including OCD and depression, as well as traumatic events within his family, such as his mother's psychotic break. This personal experience shapes his understanding and empathy towards patients facing similar challenges.

  • Despite excelling academically and professionally, Dr. Palmer's health deteriorates, leading to metabolic syndrome despite following conventional medical advice diligently. His frustration with traditional treatments, including medication and therapy, mirrors the experiences of many patients who feel failed by the system.

  • Dr. Palmer's skepticism towards the Atkins diet initially gives way to curiosity when faced with his health challenges. Despite doubts, he tries the diet and experiences profound improvements in his physical health and mood, energy levels, and overall well-being.

  • Over time, Dr. Palmer cautiously incorporates the ketogenic diet into his psychiatric practice, observing remarkable improvements in patients with various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and even schizophrenia. Despite initial skepticism, he witnesses firsthand the transformative potential of dietary interventions in mental health treatment.

[23:00] Insights into the Ketogenic Diet's Potential for Mental Health

  • Dr. Palmer emphasizes that while there are numerous mechanisms through which the ketogenic diet may affect health, they are all interconnected and relevant to mental illness. 

  • He underscores the multifaceted nature of dietary interventions and their potential impact on brain function.

  • The gut microbiome, brain metabolism, insulin signaling, glucose regulation, and neurotransmitters are all interconnected aspects of health that the ketogenic diet can influence. Dr. Palmer highlights the importance of understanding these connections in addressing mental health disorders.

  • He explains how the ketogenic diet stimulates processes like mitophagy (the removal of old mitochondria) and mitochondrial biogenesis (the production of new mitochondria), which he believes are crucial for aiding individuals with mental illness in their healing and recovery journey.

[24:45] Rare Disorders, Biomarkers, and the Future of Personalized Treatment

  • Dr. Palmer highlights the importance of considering rare genetic disorders like glucose transport deficiency syndrome when determining candidacy for the ketogenic diet. For individuals with these disorders, the ketogenic diet can be a life-saving treatment due to their inability to metabolize glucose effectively.

  • Dr. Palmer acknowledges the lack of definitive biomarkers for identifying candidates for the diet in the context of mental illness or seizures. Current biomarkers are limited and primarily relevant to extreme cases with evident metabolic dysfunction.

  • Dr. Palmer emphasizes that brain metabolism differs from peripheral metabolism, suggesting that factors like blood type or insulin signaling are unreliable indicators of ketogenic diet compatibility. Insulin resistance in the brain can occur independently of peripheral blood sugar levels, complicating the search for biomarkers.

  • Despite the current limitations in biomarker identification, Dr. Palmer expresses hope for future advancements in this area. Improved biomarkers could enhance the ability to predict individual responses to ketogenic therapies, facilitating more personalized treatment approaches.

[29:30] Precision in Ketosis Monitoring: Optimizing Therapeutic Benefits

  • Dr. Palmer discusses the limitations of urine strips and breath meters in accurately measuring ketosis levels. 

  • He recommends blood monitoring for his patients to ensure a precise assessment of ketone levels, emphasizing the importance of achieving and maintaining optimal ketosis for therapeutic benefits.

  • Sustaining higher ketone levels for a couple of months is crucial for realizing therapeutic effects.

  • Patients undergoing dietary changes often notice a correlation between decreasing ketone levels and the recurrence of mental health symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, mood instability, and OCD symptoms. This underscores the importance of maintaining ketosis for symptom management.

[36:25] Navigating Mental Health and the Ketogenic Diet

  • Dr. Palmer emphasizes the importance of a three-month commitment from patients undergoing dietary interventions for mental health. This timeframe allows for a comprehensive assessment of symptom improvement and helps patients understand the potential benefits over time.

  • Patients often experience dramatic improvements in symptoms and quality of life after committing to the ketogenic diet for three months. Despite initial reluctance, many patients express gratitude for the positive changes and are willing to continue the diet long-term to maintain their improved mental health.

  • Dr. Palmer highlights the potential dangers of keto-adaptation for individuals with severe mental health conditions. 

  • Keto adaptation involves significant metabolic changes that can exacerbate symptoms such as insomnia, hallucinations, and mood instability, making medical supervision essential during this phase.

[43:00] The Role of Exogenous Ketones in Health 

  • Dr. Palmer emphasizes that exogenous ketones are not equivalent to the ketogenic diet and cannot be substituted for it. They do not address underlying metabolic issues like insulin resistance or inflammation.

  • Despite widespread interest, case reports need to be published demonstrating the effectiveness of exogenous ketones alone in controlling seizures. This highlights the importance of distinguishing between exogenous ketones and the ketogenic diet in clinical practice.

  • Exogenous ketones may have a role as adjunctive therapy for individuals already following a ketogenic diet, especially if they struggle to achieve desired ketone levels. They may also benefit athletes seeking performance enhancement.

  • Dr. Palmer underscores the growing body of research on exogenous ketones for various conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and substance use disorders. 

AND MUCH MORE!

Resources from this episode: 

All video interviews can be found on our YouTube channel. Visit http://www.youtube.com/ketokamp 

Diabetes Method Program: https://diabetesmethod.com/ 

🥑 Get your Keto Recipe of the Week here:  http://www.ketokamprecipes.com 

/ / E P I S O D E   S P ON S O R S 

BonCharge: Blue light Blocking Glasses, Red Light Therapy, Sauna Blankets & More. Visit https://boncharge.com/pages/ketokamp and use the coupon code KETOKAMP for 15% off your order.

Beam Minerals: BEAM Minerals products are the perfect support for the keto/carnivore/fasting way of living as they won’t
break your fast, PLUS they taste just like water and will help you keep carb cravings at bay as you move into a fat-adapted state. Give BEAM Minerals a try today for an enhanced keto experience. Head to http://www.beamminerals.com and use the coupon code AZADI for a sweet discount! 

Text me the words "Podcast" +1 (786) 364-5002 to be added to my contacts list. 

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for information purposes only. Statements and views expressed on this podcast are not medical advice. This podcast including Ben Azadi disclaim responsibility from any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. Opinions of guests are their own, and this podcast does not accept responsibility of statements made by guests. This podcast does not make any representations or warranties about guests qualifications or credibility. Individuals on this podcast may have a direct or non-direct interest in products or services referred to herein. If you think you have a medical problem, consult a licensed physician.