Ketogenic Diet

[rebtar]

I've seen occasional posts here mentioning a ketogenic diet as therapy for PD. I'd really like to hear from those of you who are doing or have tried this, what has your experience been? Have the benefits been what you hoped?

[faridaro]

Great question! Since you can trace just about any disease to a cellular level damage, it seems that all treatments should focus on restoring mitochondria. And since ketones are more efficient fuel for mitochondria than glucose in producing ATP, it might be one of the pieces of the puzzle to prevent progression of PD.

[faridaro]

Rebtar, check out Satwar who's been on ketogenic diet for the past 4-5 years.

[rebtar in reply to faridaro]

Thanks

[jeeves19]

I tried it once for about six weeks and it made little difference I'm afraid. Maybe I didn't give it long enough?

[faridaro in reply to jeeves19]

I just started looking into ketogenic diet, so don't have an opinion yet, but supposedly there are different levels of this diet. Not sure how long it takes to move from one to another but may be the level is the answer. Also, discovered the following website with Dr. Perlmutter's video and interesting discussion underneath:

drperlmutter.com/ketosis-pa...

[satwar in reply to faridaro]

Yes, jn my experience, the higher the ketone levels the more improvement in symptoms. That's why a ketone meter helps guide you on effect of meal choices

[satwar in reply to jeeves19]

I don't recall if you tried ketone salts as a preliminary screening to see if your symptoms improved with higher ketone blood levels. I also don't recall if you purchased a ketone blood monitor to see what is actually happening to your ketone levels as your diet progresses.

[jeeves19 in reply to satwar]

Long time no hear! The first product was difficult to acquire in the U.K. And blood reader unecessarily expensive? Am thinking of a fresh attack though soon so may force a purchase. Hope that your health is holding up😊

[buzbyc]

I've been on it for the last 3-4 months. Not sure whether it's particularly benefited my PD symptoms, but the 11kg weight loss is definitely giving me more energy

[grower]

I'm pretty skinny, seems that this diet may make me into a shadow/ not a good idea?

[amykp]

Hi! I'm on a ketogenic diet. I think it's helped me, a lot. I was diagnosed about three years ago, and I still don't need any medication. In fact, I think my symptoms are better now than they were then. I still work, I ski, I bike--I suspect most people can't tell I have PD.

But I am a study of one, and how can I tell if it's placebo effect? Also, about a year ago I tried Ambroxol (it's experimental--look it up) for six months, so that might have done something too. It's hard to know.

I think it might work because I am very strict. I don't cheat, ever. I keep my carbs under about 25 grams, and that is only green vegetables (well, OK, cauliflower and yellow pepper and tomato!) No fruit...or if I eat a blackberry, it is because I've counted in that carb for the day. I limit protein. Probably about 80% of my diet is fat. I don't use ketone salts (I heard they taste nasty) but I take a big honkin' spoon of MCT oil with each meal. MCT's are converted to ketones in your blood.

I read a lot on the Internet about how the diet actually might work to slow/reverse PD progression, yet it is too difficult for people to follow. For heaven's sake, if it does work...really??? Too "difficult"???

I would say I felt results after about two months. And it may not be for you, but how will you know if you don't try?

[rebtar in reply to amykp]

Thanks for answering. My concern which I still haven't found an answer to that satisfies me, is that like "grower" above my weight is pretty low -- not technically underweight, but only a few pounds above that. It concerns me that I might lose more weight -- I tend to lose easily and have a hard time gaining any back once I've lost. Any thoughts on this?

[amykp]

Yeah, I did lose weight, some, and I didn't need to either, especially. (I didn't care that much--I'm sure not TOO skinny.)

But I think the reason is because a keto diet just decreases your appetite, not because anything about it specifically makes pounds drop off. What I mean is, you just have to take control and make yourself eat enough. Like, the same way someone who should lose weight has to NOT eat, you have YES eat. :o)

So, you make sure to eat plenty of meals and don't give into lazy: "I'm not hungry so I'm not gonna bother". Also, make sure to exercise. I think that works up an appetite!