ketogenic diet
 

Hi everyone again!

I've been researching the benefits of ketogenic diets with respect to TBI.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19408168

Anyway there are numerous articles on it.

But i'm still a little wary as its basically a high fat , adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. The part that i'm wary about is the high fat adequate protein part.

My current diet just consists of a lot of salad and fish and chicken..so very high protein.

Anyway, I plan to do more research and will try to go on this diet.

Please give me your thoughts.
Thank you .

The ketogenic diet is not necessarily ideal for TBI. If you want the MCT's that are part of the ketogenic diet, consume unprocessed coconut oil. The ketogenic diet is high in Medium Chain Triglyceride that provide a good source of ketone production. Those who have improper processing of Long Chain Triglycerides / blood glucose will benefit from MCT's. If there is not a problem metabolizing LCT's / glucose, the ketone diet is overkill.

You will not find that magic pill for your concussion. It will take a discipline to reduce stress in your life. Looking for that magic pill is too stressful. Researching every possible treatment, most that have limited application, is likely raising your stress level so you do not get a chance to get the quiet rest you need. Wait for the top notch doctors that you have access to as they offer slow ways to improve.

Your job already has far more stress than your brain needs at this point.

Learn to use work-arounds to get your day done without the stress. It will pay big rewards.

If you are attempting to avoid fats, it may be a problem. You brain needs animal fats. The fats in most chicken are based on diets that are not natural. Corn fed beef has un-natural fats. If you can find grass fed beef, it will be the best for you. We used to pay extra for a natural chicken from a Colorado Farm at the butcher shop. Race Street likely has the natural fed chicken. Maybe even Trader Joe's. Don't cook the fat out of it. Or save the drippings and make a nice gravy or broth.

My best to you.

Dear Mark,

Thanks for the reply. I just want to be proactive but youre completely right about the stress level which may be the one thing i'm overlooking.

But the Ketogenic diet does have some scientific research behind it and I've gained 30 lbs in three months so I 'm thinking that this diet may just help me with hitting two birds with one stone as its very similar to the Atkins diet. I'm just worried about the not eating fruit at all part! But it's a high fat diet though.

I've been on a very low fat, clean diet the past two months meaning salad fish and boiled chicken. Kinda feel a little happy that the ketogenic diet includes fats like bacon! haha

Thank you!

I don't think the ketogenic diet will help you lose weight.

Before my injury I was more or less on a ketogenic diet. I liked it, because it helped eliminate the brain fog and lethargy that eating too much wheat or sugar brought to me. I continued to eat this way for a few weeks after I hit my head. I've since abandoned it, to an extent. I still try to refrain from sugar and wheat, but I've added lots of fruit and starchier vegetables into my diet and I've seen no change for the better or worse, aside from some weight gain (which is also coming from the inability to exercise).

If you are eating this way to lose weight, it will work, unless you completely overindulge, which is pretty hard to do after your appetite adjusts. A better approach, in my opinion, is to just avoid 'processed white foods' - ie sugar, white flour, etc. Ketosis does put a strain on your body - for instance, I had to drink way more water when I ate this way to help with the process - it was very hard for me to stay hydrated sometimes. My advice is to put this off until you feel like you are stabilizing.