Depression Cured by Low Carb Diet

There is talk that a ketogenic diet can benefit many mental disorders including depression, bipolar and Alzheimer's. If this diet could only help a fraction of the people that are burdened keto diet before and after with these conditions, it would be revolutionary!

We are not entirely sure why and how these ketones affect the brain. But some theories suspect that this different fuel from ketones helps with global cerebral hypometabolism. It seems that the brain can use ketones more efficiently. It is also thought that ketosis decreases intracellular sodium concentrations, which is exactly what mood stabilizers do.

Not many human trials have to done to see the benefits of a ketogenic diet on mental disorders. But it is warranted!

What exactly is a ketogenic diet?

OK great. So now that we know what ketones are and how they work. Let us have a look at what you would have to do to be on a ketogenic diet.

A ketogenic diet is a diet that reduces carbohydrates to the minimum. The most current version of the ketogenic diet is to have fewer than 20g of carbohydrates a day.

But everybody is different, and some people may still respond to higher amounts of carbohydrates a day.

Ketosis, so when we are producing ketones, can be checked through the use of keto-sticks.

Keeping to 20g a carbohydrates a day is quite a challenge, trust me.

Where do we find carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are found in an array of products and natural foods.

The most obvious place to find carbohydrates is in sugar. This includes sugar that has been added to beverages, food products, sweets, cake, and chocolate.

We also find carbohydrates in our starches including rice, couscous, bread, oats, and pasta. These are normally completely cut out in a ketogenic diet.

Fruit also contains fructose, which is sugar and will also increase your carbohydrate intake. Fruit intake is normally controlled quite strictly.

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

A ketogenic diet is not for the faint-hearted!

So what can I eat?

As you can see a great many foods are cut out of the equation when we are on a ketogenic diet. What can be eaten in vast amounts are non-starchy vegetables, so vegetables which have very few carbohydrates. And then we can eat all of our meat, eggs, and fish. These are normally cooked with unlimited amounts of fat.

It is not a natural diet to go on, but once people feel the benefit of it, they say they will never go back. It is advisable to work with a supportive dietitian and doctor when attempting the ketogenic diet.