Ketogenic Diet
 

I recall mention of this diet as possibly being beneficial to folk with sustained brain injury, or neurological issues. Comment wanted from folk who tried it or are living by it, as to the efficacy of it.
Thanks

Great diet if done right
 

It was AMAZING for my brain, but tough on my kidneys. I was doing it wrong though. Not enough vegetables and not supplementing with alkalizing foods/drinks, such as apple cider vinegar, and sodium bicarbonate.

I should say that I have had a kidney stone in the past.

I'm apart of a forum on Facebook. A lady there said she had severe symptoms for 8 years after a TBI. Misdiagnosed with Alzheimer's, put on meds, etc.

ALL of her symptoms are gone.

It's incredible. But should not be a full-time thing. It's best to do it as needed.

Currently, trying to get back into it. I'd be happy to point towards research or books on the diet and TBI.

It basically brought my functioning up from like a 20-60% range depending on the day, to 60-80%. Sound and light sensitivity were about normal. I came out of a brain fog I didn't know I was in.

It feels great to have mental clarity.

Would appreciate your pointers/suggestions, on books, references etc that you found helpful.

Am listening to a current series by Dr Mark Hyman on the Broken Brain, and merit is made mention of Mediterranean and Ketogenic Diets.

Mental Clarity, what's that? can hardly remember what it's like!

Thanks.

I'm trying my best to get to that series myself. Glad to hear they're promoting good info.

I have to head to work soon, but will get a list of resources hopefully later today.

A really good resource is this site:

What is the Ketogenic Diet? A Comprehensive Beginner's Guide

A great book, which I only got to a few pages of and skimming before borrowing to someone else:

The Ketogenic Bible: The Authoritative Guide to Ketosis: Jacob Wilson, Ryan Lowery: 97816286146: Amazon.com: Books

I would start with those, but as far as support groups and other places to get good info, there's Keto for Neuro on Facebook, where members have some neurological diangosis/condition, including brain injury.

Electrolytes (and their ratios) and water are huge as the body excretes them quickly. So look into fairy/electrolyte dust by this site, which I like though they promote lots of dairy, which is not good for all people and has to be of good quality (or as good as a person can afford). Do not overdo electrolytes either. I had way too much pink salt my first go and I think that contributed to my kidney pain.

Vitamins and supplements for Keto - Impulsive Keto

I did read a story on a TBI/PCS Facebook forum that a lady had rather severe symptoms after a TBI, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, put on meds, tried loads of therapies, but is now symptom free after going and staying keto. Pretty neat.

There's lots more out there for info, including supplementing with something like MCT oil (only get C8/C10 triglyecerides if you do) or ketone salts, but I don't want to overwhelm you and give you too much that you don't give the diet a shot.

Basically, keto increases lots of good things in the brain and body (antioxidants, BDNF, GABA, mitochondrial health, etc.) but it CAN go very wrong if people don't do it right (keto flu, kidney stones, etc.)

Heads up on following through, I will explore this. Was not aware of it until I read of it on here.
It is always helpful to know the WHY - for me anyways - which is part of reason why I am enjoying Brokenbrain series.

For many of us it is sleep, rest, released from hospital and then you are pretty much on your own, or at the mercy of Insurance Companies, complimentary or functional medicine ignored.

Omegas were never been mentioned by the medical profession when my father, and later my son sustained TBI. Nor was it for me until neuro physio and chiropractor mentioned it and on finding I had put myself on fish oil suggested I up my intake.

Best of and gratefully yours.

How bad was your brain fog? I know a lot of people use the term brain fog, but it’s almost hard to believe anyone could improve this aspect having lived it for 6 years with no relief.

I’m on day 6 of Keto and currently miserable. I’m supplementing electrolytes and counting macros.

How long did it take to notice difference? I know they say 1-3 months to get fat adapted.

I’m very happy it has helped you.

I'd sure like to see some Keto proponent address the possibility that the improvements from a Keto diet may have nothing to do with ketosis and more to do with the many foods that are eliminated from the diet when going Keto.

The effect of sugars and other things consumed in a contemporary diet are very suspect and studies suggest they are a key part of the struggles people have. The improvements many claim and report are long before they have achieved a state of ketosis, if they ever even reach that state. Using MCT oil as a pick me up goes against all of the keto science.


Can we achieve the benefits by just cleaning up our diets?

*How bad was your brain fog? I know a lot of people use the term brain fog, but it’s almost hard to believe anyone could improve this aspect having lived it for 6 years with no relief.

I've been doing some testing the last few days with a simple blood glucose meter. I find if I eat carby foods, I get lots of fog and fatigue and it correlates with a higher blood glucose. But if I eat low carb foods, I don't get the fog -- or at least as much.

Ketosis is more for healing and for an added level of clarity. I did it wrong the first time. Not enough vegetables, hadn't been low carb for long, too acidic, etc.

*I’m on day 6 of Keto and currently miserable. I’m supplementing electrolytes and counting macros.

I'd suggest doing a little more research. Take some time to be low carb if you hadn't and be real clean with your diet, and then try again.

*How long did it take to notice difference? I know they say 1-3 months to get fat adapted.

There's fat adapted and being keto adapted. You can be one without the other.