[Conductor71]

Lately, I have been up to my ears in research on coconut oil and ketones. This has led to several interesting blogs written by scientists on nutrition and controlling or preventing disease through our diet.

Most all seem to come to the conclusion that a ketogenic, modified Atkins, Paleo kind of diet is better for us. Each of these dietary approaches basically greatly reduce or eliminate carbs. A 2005 study published in Neurology measured the results of people on a strict ketogenic diet (90% of calories from fat) showed modest symptom reduction when followed for one month. However, it was pointed out that the diet was hard to conform to and they could have had a Placebo effect going on. A ketogenic diet has been around since the 1920's and is used to control epilepsy in those who can't benefit from meds for whatever reason. Oh, and as a bonus to this high fat diet, you actually lose weight.

The other thing with diet is caloric restriction. I think we all know that depriving ourselves of food a bit is a good thing, but better than that, it is shown that fasting a day and eating double time the next is actually even better for us. Also, caloric restriction increases that PGC-1Alpha master switch posted about a few weeks ago that regulates mitochondria.

Here is an overview article highlighting the research on caloric restriction and intermittent fasting.

I wondered if anyone here has tried a dietary approach like the ketogenic plan or even fasting here and there? How did it affect your PD? I also wonder about meds and interference from increased animal proteins in diets. I think the paleo and Atkins allow for much more protein than we usually take in.

I am thinking of trying a paleo or modified Atkins. I can't eliminate carbs all together but want to see how this works. Also would like to fast one day a week. This also stimulates ketones and better metabolism in the brain. I figure I have no appetite from meds so I may as well put this to some use.

I'd like to hear from anyone else out there who has tried any of these approaches. Please share!

Laura

[krugen68]

[QUOTE=Conductor71;707343]Lately, I have been up to my ears in research on coconut oil and ketones. This has led to several interesting blogs written by scientists on nutrition and controlling or preventing disease through our diet.


...... the threads by yourself, Reverett and others have led me to begin taking the coconut oil earlier this week ( 1 teaspoon per day currently )

[marciaj]

I tried eating a fun size Butterfinger candy bar and when I do don't get tired in the afternoons. I would rather try chocolate but don't have any in the house.

I want to try the coconut oil but haven't bought any yet.

[wendy s]

I've done the Zone diet, which I think was very good. You are supposed to balance protein, fat and carbohydrate, and I think the fact that neither my husband or I ever had any cravings on that diet must speak for the balance. It was all supposed to be high quality food - lean protein, olive oil and nuts etc. for fat, low glycemic index vegetables and fruit for carbohydrate, and they had three different ways of measuring food to make the balancing easy. Actually, you could eat anything you wanted, it just had to balance. We fell off the diet at Christmas, and have spent the time since saying "we really should get back in the Zone!"

Now I'm trying Dr. Terry Wahl's "Minding My Mitochondria" diet - LOTS of certain vegetables plus a lot of other guidelines. I'm sleeping way better, and have gone two to three hours longer than usual between doses of medication a few times. The effect is enough to inspire me to keep going.

PS It's snowing today.

[Conductor71]

Originally Posted by wendy s

I've done the Zone diet, which I think was very good. You are supposed to balance protein, fat and carbohydrate, and I think the fact that neither my husband or I ever had any cravings on that diet must speak for the balance. It was all supposed to be high quality food - lean protein, olive oil and nuts etc. for fat, low glycemic index vegetables and fruit for carbohydrate, and they had three different ways of measuring food to make the balancing easy. Actually, you could eat anything you wanted, it just had to balance. We fell off the diet at Christmas, and have spent the time since saying "we really should get back in the Zone!"

Now I'm trying Dr. Terry Wahl's "Minding My Mitochondria" diet - LOTS of certain vegetables plus a lot of other guidelines. I'm sleeping way better, and have gone two to three hours longer than usual between doses of medication a few times. The effect is enough to inspire me to keep going.

PS It's snowing today.

Thanks for this Wendy! I needed a little push or nudge from others who have noticed a difference; I do so like bread and pasta....

Now I am confused because another scientist recommends avoiding saturated fats if you have an inflammatory condition- we have a heck of a lot of that going on the brain, so now I wonder how much coconut oil is too much....

Is the mitochondria diet in book form? That lengthening between meds says something is working right. I'll have to look that up.

Where do you live?

Laura

[lindylanka]

Laura,
I would not increase overall fat intake, instead substitute a small amount of your RDA for fats with coconut oil, but I would advise a little goes a long way. In general it is not advisable to have a high intake of coconut oil. And most importantly do not confuse with palm oil. You probably know this but not everyone does. I believe that it can be a healthy component of diet, but like all things, in moderation. The trouble with all supplementation is that it is ADDED to existing intake as though it is a medicine.

Lindy

[wendy s]

Hi Laura,

I live in northern Alberta and we'll "enjoy" winter from now until early April.

The book is called "Minding My Mitochondria 2cnd Edition" by Dr. Terry Wahls. She is a doctor with MS who went from an electric wheelchair to biking five miles to work through her diet, avoiding food sensitivities, electrical therapy for her muscles, supplements, etc. She explains the science and practical application, all in fairly simple language - I wouldn't say the book is reader friendly, you can tell she didn't use a ghost writer, but there's certainly a lot of useful information. She believes her research and personal experience also applies to people with other neurological diseases, and is working on getting the proper research organized

I ordered it from Amazon and have been sporadically applying it for about three weeks now. I'm trying to get right into it, but nine cups is a LOT of vegetables. If it helps, I will enjoy every mouthful!

[lurkingforacure]

[ I'm trying to get right into it, but nine cups is a LOT of vegetables. If it helps, I will enjoy every mouthful![/QUOTE]

Can you blend them up in a vitamix or similar? That could really help get them down, and the quantity would not be so daunting. That IS a lot!

[EmptyNest68]

Hi! Last year i started titrating down on the 25/100 3xdaily carbidopa levodopa I was taking and slowly cutting out carbs. I quit processed foods all together and by end of the year was off meds, no carbs or processed foods. I started walking or jogging every other day at least 30 min & light weights a couple times a week with some stretching. My symptoms improved to a point where pain level was 2 (scale of 1-5 w/5 being hte worst). Still had bladder probs, sligth tremor on the right, cognition impairment and fatigue. But all in all, the dystonia wasn't as horrible & I awas sleeping better at night. Was able to keep it up for 4 months or so, then had to start some traveling, which usually impedes on good habits, eh?!
Nowadays am still exercising, diet consists of very little carbs-whole grains when I do; olive oil, corn oil & butter for fats (very little). I try and stick mainly to veges, lean proteins, yogurt, some fruit. Can't seem to lay off the coffee but do avoid other caffeine. My syptoms are back to "normal", that is to say bad dystonia in hand, feet, calves, forearms, abdomen & lower back (which leads to worse pain) fatigue, cloudy thinking & memory, swallowing probs....

[Conductor71]

[QUOTE=krugen68;707402]

Originally Posted by Conductor71

Lately, I have been up to my ears in research on coconut oil and ketones. This has led to several interesting blogs written by scientists on nutrition and controlling or preventing disease through our diet.


...... the threads by yourself, Reverett and others have led me to begin taking the coconut oil earlier this week ( 1 teaspoon per day currently )

How is it going with the coconut oil? I am at 2 tablespoons a day. I am having less wearing off than usual and seem to be losing a little weight. I need to lose a lot, but it's a start! Quite amazing that it takes fat to jump start our metabolism.