ketogenic diet to help stabilize mood

Does anyone with bipolar disorder have experience with being on a ketogenic diet (a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet)? Some research suggests it helps to stabilize mood. Other anecdotal comments suggest just the opposite - that it induced mania.

I just started one without telling my pdoc. I probably should mention it to him next time I see him.

Thanks for any insight.

I'm sure diet has something to do with mood.

My meds make me crave carbs and sugar.

I used to love low-carb diets because they make me hypomanic. Now on meds, I crave carbohydrates all the time and can't seem to get enough of them. I wish I had the self-discipline to go low-carb again...not only did I have more energy, but I lost weight like crazy!

Eating as "clean" a diet is the best way to go ,, Avoid anything processed . Carbs bog me down and make my Fibro pain worse.. I love carbs but they just arent really healthy if eaten in excess.

High fat diet is going to cause problems with cholestral and whatnot.

I think if common sense is used then its not a diet its a lifestyle. Because diets fail because people feel deprived.

Good rule to follow is most all the healthy food will be up against the walls of your grocery store,, Shop there first and you will have more healthy foods.

That said.. I am going to eat some not so healthy food... and that okay because it doesn't happen often.

Speaking of high fat....

My psychiatrist advised me to incoporate high fat dairy into my diet. Things like all the fat yogurt, homogonized (whole) milk and even high fat cream for my coffee. Apparently dairy fat specifically is good for the brain.

I am on week four of a high fat low carb ketogenic diet. So far, inflammation throughout my body is much less and has had a very noticeable impact on my lower back injury. Mood stabilized dramatically. I used to get extremely irritable late in the day, and on days when the weather would switch from 20-30f to 50-60f. Now my mood and energy are more constant and the last temperature shifts did not lead to any negative mood states. In fact, I can go so far as to say I was able to enjoy the warmer weather while it lasted, although I find the return to cold comfortable and calming.

Researching into HFLC ketogenic diets has been interesting as many of the changes which occur in the body as a result of keto-adaptation have implications for directly influencing mood (i.e. alterations to glutamate/gaba levels may be responsible for my increased sense of calm).

My focus and concentration seems to have markedly improved.

I used to get into arguments frequently when discussing certain distressing topics with family (i.e. finances), but since week two of ketosis I began to notice those topics no longer illicit such strong responses, and as a consequence I have not been in any heated arguments - I can better manage triggers/no longer get triggered.

Cholesterol and Saturated fat are not the dangers we have been lead to believe. The blogs of Peter Attia and other MDs/researchers directly address that topic if any here care to learn about it. Needless to say that one common theme amongst those on a HFLC diet is improvements in overall health and well being in nearly all measures, including triglycerides and cholesterol serum levels. This is not to say that it's the diet for everyone - some people do not adapt as well to ketosis as others and benefit from higher carb intake, just at a very low glycemic load (sweet potatos, starchy tubers, but stay away from grains/sugar/anything spiking insulin).

Frankly, I expected increased inflammation from increased fatty acid intake but am experiencing the opposite. Considering the cognitive benefits I have gained as well a HFLC Ketohenic diet is the most efficacious treatment I have so far used to manage my mental and physical health - it has so far been an amazing experience in how effective it has been and I look forward to optimizing my dietary intake to maintain a stabile blood ketone level at some time in the future.

I think I will try to see if this ketogenic diet does have mood stabilizing effects. It really can't hurt. Thank you all for your input.

How's it working out for you?

I was inspired by this thread to give it a try myself. I also have a co-morbid problem with binge eating (irrespective of meds) that I just couldn't get under control so was interested in moving to eating foods I crave less, maybe lose a little weight.

I still find ways to overeat e.g. nuts and stuff but I do notice a little calmer mood (maybe, it's only been a week or so... playing wait and see).

Thanks of asking. I have been fairly faithful to the diet. I lost 12 pounds in 1 month so I am ready to try another month.

I no longer crave sweet things - that is the best. And I have a new regard for vegetables.

Any diet that is high one thing and low something else is not good for you.

Does anyone have an update on their keto diet? I need to lose a significant amount of weight and I am not interested in going under the knife for the roux en y surgery. I've heard keto can help lose 100 plus pounds if followed religiously. Does it interact with your meds? I'm very curious about any keto info you can pass along.

I was considering a keto diet but i asked my pharmacist and she says it's hard on your body, on one of your organs, i forget which one, maybe kidneys or liver? You have to be under the supervision of a doctor who can monitor you to make sure you're not damaging them. To me it sounded too extreme. We've got a thread going called 'diet anyone?' where several of us are supporting each other thru traditional diets [lifestyle change]. Why don't you join us?

I did that before one summer when I was lifting to cut down my bodyfat really low. it sucked I was hangry all the time.

There are many myths around about a ketogenic diets.
There are medical conditions which benefit from a ketogenic diet.

My specialists all approve a ketogenic diet.
I use a few supplements. I'd encourage people to do their research.

I did the Wahls protocol, level 3, which is the ketogenic version by Dr. Wahls.
I felt great, lost weight steadily, fewer mood swings from glucose changes, etc. The body adapts and burns fat, if done right.

Enter Latuda. My carb cravings peaked with a med change. I am trying to get back to where I was on the diet.

My health greatly improved. Despite the fat intake, it's anti-inflammatory in nature -- at least the version I followed has been very helpful with chronic pain, headaches, mood swings, cognition, concentration and more.

There are different versions of ketogenic diets, by the way.
Some limit fats to healthy fats.


WC

Is that the atkins diet?
bizi

The Atkins diet may be one of the variations of a ketogenic diet.
I am not a fan of the Atkins Diet, although I have seen ppl do very well and even improve their cholesterol /lipids, etc. The Atkins allows lots of artificial sweeteners, etc. (See an "Atkins meal bar.") It also allows things like lots of bacon fat, etc.

Other versions do not allow dairy, gluten, grains. The main sweetener is all natural or Stevia. It's largely a low carb Paleo diet, the fat content is high; however, the fats are unsweetened coconut milk (low carb --canned only), fish oils, flax oil, chia seeds, flax seeds. (Coconut milk has a high medium-chain triglyceride content -- MCT -- which supports weight loss. MCTs are used by many body builders, etc.) Veggies are largely lower carb veggies.
Lower carb green smoothies are allowed, etc.

We have to go into "ketosis" to burn any fat, to lose ANY weight.
"Ketosis" is not dangerous, "ketoacidosis" is dangerous-- and they are very different states.

You can read Dr. Wahls' own story at: Terry Wahls MD | Defeating Progressive Multiple Sclerosis without Drugs | MS Recovery | Food As Medicine | The official website of Terry Wahls, MD, author and physician who has recovered from secondary progressive multiple sclerosis by using the Wahl. She also has several youtubes out.

The level Wahls protocol has 3 level of the dietary part of the protocol. Only the most strict is "ketogenic." Level 2 is straight Paleo.

There are many theories/cases where high carb intake worsens the cholesterol profile and healthy fats decrease cholesterol counts.

Dr. Wahls' suggests the ultra low-fat diets (and/or the use of statins) strip the brain of needed fat for optimal brain health.

I firmly believe a generalized statement denouncing all ketogenic diets for everyone is an uneducated stance.


WC

P.S. Young people on Depakote (higher doses) would be wise to have regular checks on liver function if on a ketogenic diet.
I have my liver and kidney function checked 2-4 times a year whether or not I am following a fat-burning protocol..

Thank you for posting this my friend!
bizi