Depression cured by a low carb diet?

Depression cured by a low carb diet?

Yes, you heard me right! Does a low-carbohydrate diet have a role in stabilizing mood disorders including depression? Or maybe I should put it this way; Do ketones play a role in our brain energy profile?

What are Ketones?

Let me explain the above sentence in a little more detail. When we eat carbohydrates, our body breaks them down into glucose. This crosses the blood-brain barrier and powers our brain. Our body always chooses to use glucose as an energy source before using another fuel source.

If we eliminate carbohydrates from our diet, we cannot use glucose as an energy source. So our bodies start processing the protein and fat we eat instead. It processes these proteins and fats into ketones.

These ketones can also be used as fuel and can also cross the blood-brain barrier. And this different kind of fuel for the brain seems to change it.

Why do ketones work?

One of the most well-known effects of a ketogenic diet is its remarkable effect on seizures in epileptic patients. Some people have actually become seizure-free, while others have significantly reduced their seizures. The effects of the ketogenic diet remain even after carbohydrates are reintroduced.

There are rumors that a ketogenic diet can benefit many mental disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's. If this diet could help just a fraction of people afflicted with these conditions, it would be revolutionary!

We're not entirely sure why and how these ketones affect the brain. However, some theories suggest that this fuel other than ketones aids in global cerebral hypometabolism. It appears that the brain can use ketones more efficiently. Ketosis is also thought to reduce intracellular sodium concentrations, which is exactly what mood stabilizers do.

It doesn't take many human studies to see the benefits of a ketogenic diet for mental health disorders. But it's definitely appropriate!

What exactly is a ketogenic diet?

Okay, great. Now we know what ketones are and how they work. Let's take a look at what you need to do to follow a ketogenic diet.

A ketogenic diet is a diet that truly keeps carbohydrates to a minimum. The most accepted version of the ketogenic diet involves consuming less than 20g of carbohydrates per day.

But everyone is different and some people may still respond to higher amounts of carbohydrates per day.

Ketosis, i.e. when we produce ketones, can be checked by using keto sticks.

Maintaining 20g of carbs per day is quite a challenge, trust me.

Where do we find carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are found in a number of products and natural foods.

The most obvious place to find carbohydrates is in sugar. This includes sugar that has been added to drinks, foods, sweets, cakes and chocolate.

We also find carbohydrates in our starches such as rice, couscous, bread, oats and pasta. These are usually completely omitted from a ketogenic diet.

Fruit also contains fructose, a sugar, and also increases your carbohydrate intake. Fruit consumption is usually fairly strictly controlled.

Other types of sugar, mainly lactose, are found in dairy products.

A ketogenic diet is not for the faint of heart!

So what can I eat?

As you can see, many foods are taken out of the equation on a ketogenic diet. What can be consumed in large quantities are non-starchy vegetables, i.e. vegetables that contain very few carbohydrates. And then we can eat all our meat, eggs and fish. These are usually cooked with unlimited amounts of fat.

It's not an easy diet, but when people feel the benefits of it, they say they'll never go back. It is advisable to work with a supportive nutritionist and doctor when following the ketogenic diet.

Inspired by Rosemary Cheadle