Happy almost end of February!
I’m glad everyone made it through 02-22-2022 yesterday.
You might find it odd or perhaps even but numbers have always made me think. That’s probably a reason why I look at lab values/numbers with a deeper and different perspective than traditional docs. Maybe it’s just the way my head works. Which makes a good segway into today’s Common Sense Health and Wellness topic, Rocket Fuel for the Brain.
I’ve said before that one of the many reasons I feel so good on a Lower Carbohydrate Keto-Carnivorish diet is how my head feels. And no, it’s not because I have less hair so I can actually feel my head. It’s actually the inner workings of my head/brain. I believe that being mostly in a keto state appears to have given me many benefits.
My clarity is enhanced.
I rarely if ever get lulls in my thinking as evidenced by my quick sarcasm.
I never get brain fog.
I am able see correlations and intricacies in things that I did not previously see.
I am less apt to “just believe” what others are saying. I look for proof.
Let’s just say my mind works better today than ever before.
Don’t say it’s the wisdom of my age. I’m not that old, yet! I hope to be though which is why I will continue my Lower Carbohydrate Keto-Carnivore-ish journey.
Your brain can use two different fuels to function.
1- Available Glucose mostly from dietary carbohydrates
2- Ketones manufactured in your body during the breakdown of excess stored body fat
Now traditional thought states that the brain prefers burning available glucose, but I do not believe that to be true. If it was I don’t think all the low carb, keto and carnivore-ish people out there would be thriving for a decade or more.
Here is what I do believe is occurring in your brain.
Your brain will always burn available glucose from carbs FIRST but NOT because it prefers glucose as a fuel. It’s probably more because glucose at high levels can be toxic to the brain. Our body likes to remove toxins quickly and safely.
To get rid of the potentially toxic excess glucose, brain cells burn the glucose for fuel. So no problem. The glucose gets used up and cleared.
Here is what I want you to think about.
Burning glucose in your body/brain is like burning regular unleaded gasoline at 87 octane in your car engine. It works. But there is some exhaust created which can be inflammatory to the body and the brain. So too many carbs leading to excess glucose in the brain can increase brain inflammation and symptoms such as brain fog, irritability, increased headaches, cognitive issues, etc.
Did you know that a new medical nickname for dementia is Type 3 Diabetes?
Think about that.
Here is a Phd, Angela Stanton who has researched triggers for migraine headaches. Guess what diet she finds to work best for brain function and health?
Here is a citizen scientist Amber O’Hearn who has researched a Carnivore diet for improved mental health. Her story is a great one to read.
You don’t want to miss reading about Shawn Baker, one of the leaders of the Carnivore movement.
There are other stories, writers and social media personalities, but I’d start with the above three.
So what happens on a low carbohydrate diet in the brain. Well, low carbohydrate diets do NOT produce excess glucose. So less glucose availability for the brain means the brain needs another fuel to function, i.e. ketones. The brain needs what we will call metabolic flexibility. For us this means the ability to switch off between burning glucose or burning ketones. If you are metabolically flexible the switch is seamless. If not, it may take an adjustment period if you change your diet. But the adjustment is worth it.
Now back to the jet fuel.
If glucose is like 87 octane gasoline with inflammatory polluting exhaust, ketones are like clean burning jet fuel without inflammatory exhaust. In fact when in ketosis, which means you are burning your own fat for fuel, ketone production and ketone use are actually anti-inflammatory.
So those brain symptoms I mentioned earlier that you can get when burning glucose as a fuel, dissipate or go away altogether. Your head clears up. Your brain fog disappears. Your thought processes are clearer. Your cognition is deeper. Don’t believe me. Try it for yourself for 30 days. If you are truly in ketosis you will see the difference. But as always, do it under the guidance of a health professional.
Last quick story.
I’ve had a few obese patients who came to my office for pre-op clearance for a knee replacement. The surgeon would not do the knee replacement surgery because the patient was too heavy and at an increased risk for surgical complications. They needed to lose 30 of the 100 lb excess pounds before they could safely have the knee replacement surgery.
So I instructed them how to do a safe ketogenic diet. 3 months later at follow up they were 30 lbs lighter. I asked them if they were ready to be cleared for surgery. Interestingly they both said “No” as they had cancelled the surgery. When I asked why they said their knees no longer hurt so they were putting it off.
Think about it a second.
They still had bone on bone severe knee arthritis.
Their x-rays did not change.
They did not regrow cartilage in their knee.
They were still 70 lbs overweight so it was not that they were less heavy.
But they were no longer in pain.
Can you guess why?
I’ll give you a hint.
It’s a long word that describes ketones physiological effects.
The word starts with the four letters ““Anti” - - - - - - - - tory “ effects of ketosis resulting from a ketogenic diet.
Meme of the Day
Something to think about as we come to the end of the February 2022 #IMWChallenge and move towards the March 2022 #IMWChallenge.
As always keep the questions and comments coming.
Agree totally regarding the keto ish diet and fasting...enhanced clarity, internal calm, highly focused as compared to when I am not so vigilant.
Great story regarding the knee surgery and the weight loss! This is how it's supposed to work right? Modify lifestyle and if all else fails, then plan B.