Thread by @KetoCounselor

We are discovering exciting things about how therapeutic nutritional ketosis could benefit those living with serious mental illnesses. It's time for a short thread about two main ways this could be happening. 🧵 (1/13)

First is the direct effect of ketones. Scientific studies have shown that people with serious mental illnesses often have trouble using glucose efficiently for fuel. Ketones supply fuel that doesn't depend on insulin or the cell's ability to metabolize glucose. (2/13)

By providing the brain with this alternative fuel source, ketones can help enhance energy production and improve cognitive function in people with serious mental illnesses. (3/13) #lifechanging

Now, while it's true that the brain can't run 100% on ketones, research shows that ketones can supply up to 70% of total brain energy. (4/13) #brainenergy

That's a big deal compared to the standard American diet, which often results in running 100% on #glucose due to insulin resistance and #metabolic dysfunction. (5/13)

The second way in which therapeutic nutritional #ketosis can benefit mental illness is through the indirect effects of a #ketogenic diet. (6/13)

By reducing inflammation and improving gut health, a ketogenic diet can help alleviate mental illness symptoms that may be related to these underlying issues. (7/13)

Inflammation has been linked to a range of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. By reducing inflammation through a ketogenic diet, individuals with these conditions may experience a reduction in symptoms or an improvement in overall mental well-being. (8/13)

And get this - the ketogenic diet has also been shown to improve gut health by promoting the growth of healthy gut bacteria. (9/13)

This can be particularly helpful for people with mental health issues who may experience gut-related symptoms like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. (10/13)

So there you have it! Therapeutic nutritional ketosis could have significant benefits for people with serious mental illnesses. (11/13) #mentalillness #psychiatry #metabolicpsychiatry

By providing the #brain with an alternative fuel source and improving #guthealth, a #ketogenic diet may help alleviate symptoms related to #cognitive impairment, #inflammation, and other related issues. (12/13)

You can learn more here by checking out this video by @metabolic_mind with @bschermd (13/13)