March 2019 Newsletter: March Madness – What’s the Right Diet for Me?

While filling out your NCAA Tournament Bracket can be challenging, nothing can be more maddening than trying to figure out your optimal diet. There are so many options and opinions, all claiming to be the best! The truth is that we are all different – different genes, different histories, different life circumstances, different metabolisms – and all these factors affect our health and what is the best diet for you. As a base line it is important to eat clean and healthy food, but after that the mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats is not going to be the same for everyone.

One of the latest trending diets is the keto diet. At first all we heard was the successes, but now more and more nutritionists are writing about how it is not the perfect diet for everyone. In this month’s feature article, I offer my thoughts on the subject. See below for “To Keto or Not…That is the Question.”

Susana and I are just back from our trip to Australia. It was one of the most beautiful places we have visited. Charming cities, breath-taking landscapes, and wonderful people. If it is not on your bucket list you may want to reconsider!

Exciting news: I am making this one-time special offer for new clients to save $100 on their initial consult if they are referred by existing clients or readers of this newsletter! This offer is good for the month of March only. This is a great time for you to remind your loved ones, friends, and colleagues that you have encouraged to make an appointment, that NOW is the time!

To Keto or Not…That is The Question

It seems everybody is talking about the keto diet. You may have tried it yourself, or you may know someone who has tried it. It may have worked great or not. Any outcome is possible, as with all diets it is critical to remember we all have different body chemistries and what works for one could be difficult for someone else.

In this article we will look at the history of the keto diet, the positives, the negatives, and why it may or may not work for you. For the rest of the article click here: https://brwellness.com/?p=1282

Additional Sources for Keto Diet Information

Here’s some additional sources for information on the keto diet:

This is one of my favorites that I have linked to in the past: https://www.dietdoctor.com/

This one from Harvard gives you the mainstream take on it, so I find that interesting: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/should-you-try-the-keto-diet

Here’s from Mr. BulletProof: https://blog.bulletproof.com/keto-diet-beginners-guide/

And here’s a couple from Ann Louise Gittleman: https://annlouise.com/2019/01/08/is-keto-actually-your-kryptonite-why-keto-doesnt-work-for-everyone/

And https://annlouise.com/2018/03/13/the-ketogenic-diets-fatal-flaw-the-con-of-going-keto/

And one last blog from James Templeton: https://unikeyhealth.com/blogs/health-keys/keto-craze-or-cure

Success Story - GI Upsets No More

“I have been suffering with GI upset for years and could never figure out what the problem was. I tried giving up certain foods that I thought were the source of the problem however I continued to run to the bathroom after almost every meal. I had seen a few doctors and they just kept telling me it was IBS and sent me on my way but I was still suffering and wanted an answer. I was referred to Bernie by a friend and boy am I glad I saw him! He figured out that I had a mold that was causing the upset as well as a few foods that I was sensitive to that I ate pretty frequently. After only a few short months of taking supplements and avoiding dairy and cashews I actually forgot that I used to have any digestion problems in the first place! Even my friends and family have noticed the difference! I am now eating the right foods for my body, taking supplements to get rid of the mold, and I am no longer going to the bathroom 5-6 times a day!”  K.T.

To Keto or Not…That is The Question

It seems everybody is talking about the keto diet. You may have tried it yourself, or you may know someone who has tried it. It may have worked great or not. Any outcome is possible, as with all diets it is critical to remember we all have different body chemistries and what works for one could be difficult for someone else.

In this article we will look at the history of the keto diet, the positives, the negatives, and why it may or may not work for you. For more information on the keto diet, I recommend the website www.dietdoctor.com.

Like most trendy diets, the keto diet is not new. The concept has been around for many years (it was designed in 1923 by Dr. Russell Wilder at the Mayo Clinic for the treatment of epilepsy) and was initially found to be helpful in reducing seizures in children. Studies have shown it to reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Others have used it as an anti-cancer diet. The current trend is focused on weight loss.

The keto diet is a low carbohydrate, moderate protein, high fat diet. By limiting carbohydrates, the body will enter the metabolic state of ketosis, meaning it is breaking fat into ketones to meet its energy requirements. It uses these ketones (instead of the glucose from carbohydrates or protein) as its source of energy. Protein is also restricted as it can be converted into glucose which would take you out of ketosis. A typical ratio of nutrient consumption based on 2000 calories a day might look like 165 grams of fat, 40 grams of carbs, and 75 grams of protein. This is approximately 75% of calories from fats, 20% from proteins, and 5% from carbohydrates. Naturally, this will vary by person, but the key point is the high fat.

Those successful on the keto diet will lose weight and will report feeling fuller with fewer cravings, while boosting their mood, mental focus and overall energy. Like most diets, the keto diet presents the challenge of staying on the diet, in this case meaning to stay in ketosis. In order to do so you must maintain the ratio of nutrients that keep you in ketosis.

Those not successful will struggle on the diet and report low energy, stomach upset, and flu-like symptoms. Why does this happen? Two main reasons: an increase in toxicity and a challenged or missing gallbladder.

An increase in toxicity can occur when fat cells release stored toxins. We store toxins in our fat cells. As our body accesses the fat for energy these toxins are released into the blood stream. If there is not additional support for the detoxification organs (liver and kidneys) this toxicity produces the symptoms of the “keto flu” – nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, stomach ache, headache, irritability, weakness, muscle cramps and soreness, dizziness, poor concentration, difficulty sleeping, and sugar cravings.

The second point may be even more critical – a challenged or missing gallbladder. Despite what is often presented in the mainstream, the gallbladder is a very important organ. The gallbladder plays a critical role in the digestion of fats. The gallbladder stores and releases bile that is used to emulsify fats so they can be digested. Bile also alkalizes the small intestine, removes fat soluble toxins, and supports pancreatic digestive enzymes. So, it is obvious that if your gallbladder has been removed or it is under stress, you will not digest fats which will also product symptoms mentioned above as the “keto flu.” For more information on the gallbladder I suggest you read my article, The Liver, Gallbladder, and Pancreas – Behind the Scenes Helpers of Digestion found at https://brwellness.com/?p=121

However, all is not lost! There are supplements that may help prevent the “keto flu.” There are a variety of detoxification support and bile products that may provide enough support for your body.

The keto diet is not for people with chronic health conditions.  It can stress the heart and kidneys and some people may become dehydrated. 

Being on the keto diet long term may be challenging, especially limiting carbohydrates. If you are not careful you can find yourself out of ketosis which means the weight loss will stop. Remember the keto diet is high in fat, not protein. If you eat too much protein your body will convert the excess into glucose which will also take you out of ketosis. 

The most important point to remember from all of this is that we are all different. There is no single diet that is right for everyone. There are certain fundamentals that are true. We all need clean sources of food – proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. I believe it is also universal that everyone will benefit from eating more organic vegetables and consuming less sugar and avoiding artificial sweeteners and trans-fats.

Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create individualized nutrition and wellness programs. His office is in Mequon, WI. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, e-mail at bernie@brwellness.com, call (262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.