Can the Ketogenic Diet help with Parkinso... - Cure Parkinson's

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Can the Ketogenic Diet help with Parkinson’s symptoms?

Zella23 profile image
26 Replies

Does the Ketogenic diet help you with Parkinson’s symptoms?

Reading through information on the above my husband is wondering whether or not to try this type of diet to help Parkinsons symptoms. Have others found it really helpful. My worry is the limitation of Carbs in the diet, and the fact that nutrition might be compromised.

Any thoughts would be gratefully appreciated.

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Zella23 profile image
Zella23
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26 Replies

Better with high dose thiamine hcl

Zella23 profile image
Zella23 in reply to

My husband takes that as well as Mag L threonate and is finding it helpful - wondered if doing Keto would help or not. It seems a big undertaking with dietary changes and was interested to see if anyone here felt it was worthwhile.

in reply toZella23

When I was on a modified keto diet I lost a lot of weight. A diet that doesn't leave you hungry. So much weight my wife grew concerned for my health. Keto 's high protein may not sit well with meds. The end result I decided there was no benefit for my Parkinson's

Zella23 profile image
Zella23 in reply to

Defo feel in agreement with you. My husband has lost weight without Keto so I m inclined not to try that. Some of his meds also recommend certain dietary considerations about protein so on balance I think we ll stick to his healthy eating plan.

Thanks for your thoughts, really helpful.

rescuema profile image
rescuema in reply to

What was your "high protein" percentage? A therapeutic ketogenic diet usually limit protein to around 20% or less, so it shouldn't be high in protein.

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh

youtube.com/watch?v=Gz_zS0M... This is a video looking at 5 diets as pertains to PD. The keto diet had the most effect on alleviating signs but some people on it had worsening of tremor. The moderator's favorite was a combination of Mediterranean and DASH diets. I tried ketosis for my running. That was a big mistake. I planned running the Antelope Island 50 mile race. For much of the race I was in last place. Worse, I finished last an hour after the next runner. Then I had muscle cramping all night.

Zella23 profile image
Zella23 in reply tokaypeeoh

Many thanks for your reply and helpful video, which I ll watch a couple of times.

We try to follow Mediterranean diet and I ll look into DASH diet as I think that helps with blood pressure as well.

Sorry to hear about your Keto experience with your running, muscle cramping is agony!

jeeves19 profile image
jeeves19 in reply tokaypeeoh

Kay. How do you run so far with Pd?! I hike every day but can’t seem to get past 30 minutes these days due to fatigue 😕

rescuema profile image
rescuema

The ketogenic diet can be very effective for some when properly conducted, but it is an extremely restrictive diet and must be done carefully while watching the electrolytes balance, especially the potassium and salt loss along with the B vitamins.

When done correctly, there's no nutrition loss especially not because of the limited carbs. The Keto has been used by epileptics successfully for about a century who incorporate a lot of greens, vegs, and phytonutrients. In fact, there are ultra-marathon runners (e.g. Zach Bitter, a 100-mile world record holder) who thrive on the keto diet.

However, unless one is very motivated, have the correct genetic makeup (watching methylation status), for weight loss, pre-diabetic, or to fight cancer, etc., it is not an easily sustainable diet for most people for long-term.

No matter which named diet you attempt to incorporate, always strive for organic clean diet (limit glyphosate, pesticides, toxins), low/zero sugar, avoid highly processed foods, and lower complex/refined carbs (all starches) to improve detox (lower oxidative stress) and lower inflammation.

Zella23 profile image
Zella23 in reply torescuema

Thanks for your reply, really informative.

JerMan22 profile image
JerMan22 in reply torescuema

I agree, accept what is a "complex refined carbs"? If it's refined, it's not complex. If complex (like, say, a blueberry) it's not refined. I avoid refined carbs because that's basically sugar. I eat complex carbs because they have more nutrients, anti-oxidants, and fiber. The sugar in complex carbs is bound to the fiber, which causes it to break down more slowly and reduces glycemic load. Right?

rescuema profile image
rescuema in reply toJerMan22

See my edit for a clarification. Oatmeals, potatoes and grains are all examples of complex carbs, but eating high amount equates to higher level of inflammation. Blueberries (all berries) are invaluable for the pytonutrients/antioxidants and highly recommended fruit in a limited amount. You still need to be watchful because it's a source of sugar or simple carb.

Vik38 profile image
Vik38

I'm currently on a keto diet to lose weight (I haven't got PD) it is NOT a high protein diet but low carbs (obviously sugar but also pasta, rice, flour, potatoes...) and high fat (good fats). It involves generally good real food, nothing processed. You actually get used to it quite easily. I do it combined with intermittent fasting. Has vastly improved my autoimmune issues, energy levels, weight problem and mental clarity. Our brains need fat and they are oten starved of it by low fat diets. Fat is not evil, sugar is. Also I think the absence of gluten from my diet has had enormous effects on my general health. My hwp wont follow it saying food is his last pleasure but I really am going to convince him to go gluten free for 1 month. Check out the diet doctor . Com

Zella23 profile image
Zella23 in reply toVik38

Thanks for your reply, it’s clearly helping you and addressing your needs.

JerMan22 profile image
JerMan22 in reply toVik38

What do you eat to get "good fats"? Avocados obviously. Nuts and seeds? What else? And what is the difference between a good and bad fat? Can you give examples? Do you watch your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio? Thanks.

1LittleWillow profile image
1LittleWillow in reply toJerMan22

High-quality avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil (look for extra virgin, cold pressed, dark containers to protect them from sunlight, etc.), grass-fed butter. Absolutely no canola, corn, soy, "vegetable" oils.

JerMan22 profile image
JerMan22 in reply to1LittleWillow

OK, I get the olive oil, as long as it's real olive oil (many brands aren't). But I stay away from coconut oil. Here's why: nutritionfacts.org/video/wh...

Buckholt profile image
Buckholt

Been following a low carb/keto diet for some months. Generally feel very well and have good energy. I agree about weight loss and you would have to keep an eye on that. It can be difficult cutting out some staples and you need to be creative or enjoy cooking to make it interesting. Savory food are easier to change than desserts.

Is it any good for PD? Difficult to say because I don't obviously know how I'd have been otherwise and because I take the odd supplement as well and living my life my own way. However, I seem to be progressing slowly.

Low carb diet is supposed to reduce insulin spikes and inflammation and may be worth a try at least, but is difficult to sustain long term without self discipline. (When we eat out or visit friends, I tend to ease up a little with the rules. - You have to still live!).

Zella23 profile image
Zella23 in reply toBuckholt

Thanks for your information and help. It’s my husband who has the Parkinsons so I think he would have to experiment with a different eating plan to see if it helps.

francis6 profile image
francis6

I have been on keto diet for a couple of years. It really is not that hard and I occasionally allow myself a non-keto "treat" like fish and chips. I lost about 50 lbs and 4 inches off waist, plus my blood pressure dropped to normal from a raised level and a persistent fungal infection disappeared. It may have helped with PD but hard to say but other health benefits have made it worthwhile.

As others have mentioned, it is not a high protein diet it is a high fat/low carb diet. Contrary to received wisdom fat is essential to human health, carbs are not and refined carbs are terrible for maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

Zella23 profile image
Zella23

Glad to hear of your success with losing so much weight, well done. I think it is also so hard to see what helps and doesn’t with PD but it sounds like it has improved your health. Thanks for your reply and help.

wrestrel profile image
wrestrel

A recent interview I listened to mentioned that if you were overweight and doing keto to focus more on the protein versus fat. The assumption being the body has enough fat in the tissue that can supply fat requirements on the diet.

1LittleWillow profile image
1LittleWillow in reply towrestrel

It really depends on the person. I have to add a lot of healthy fats in order to avoid losing weight when I'm doing keto.

rescuema profile image
rescuema in reply towrestrel

This needs to be interpreted carefully or you'll end up doing Akins or Carnivore diet. The keto diet in essence needs to focus on fat (about 60-80% or more) in order to get into ketosis, which tricks the body into a fasting state. Focusing more on protein means pushing higher on the limited protein allowance depending on your current Ketone level (everyone is different). Eating higher amount of meat may prevent you from entering ketosis because the liver will convert the excess protein to glucose (gluconeogenesis).

If you can't maintain ketosis, you're not doing a proper ketogenic diet.

If you're not actively monitoring your glucose and/or Ketone level, you're most likely not doing a correct ketogenic diet.

Rosenmu profile image
Rosenmu

I've also been on a Me to diet for some months. I have had lots of energy, good weight loss, inflammation feels better as well. My main reasons for doing it was the inflammation, Pd and weight loss. My research has shown the higher level of ketones to be of benefit for healing the brain. I also take many supplements, going for the long game here to reduce the speed Pd progresses, similar to Dr Laurie Mischley advice.

Zella23 profile image
Zella23

Thanks for your response I m glad you are feeling better from following this diet plan and supplements. Great to lose weight too.

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