Parkinson's and Mitohormesis - presentation by Dr. Matthew CL Phillips

[mitochondria]

For those who could not watch live, the presentation is at:

pdwarriorplus.com/insight-p...

Dr. Matt's team conducted the world’s first randomized trials involving a ketogenic diet in people with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, and is now applying fasting and ketogenic diet protocols in people with Huntington’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He is currently conducting a clinical trial in glioblastoma, which combines standard treatments with the most intensive fasting and ketogenic diet protocol ever applied to a group of patients with advanced cancer.  

Note: The above link seems to work only for those who registered on time... I will reach out to the conference organizers to see if they can post this presentation for everyone to access.

I practice Dr Matt's metabolic therapies since 2019 and follow his work closely. There's something new to learn from each of his presentations/interviews/podcasts. In the above insight conference presentation, my favorite part was how Dr Matt explained the "mitohormesis and oscillations".

Link to his previous presentations on his website is below. One great PD specific presentation/interview was organized by our HU member Michel0220 - “Fasting and Dietary Strategies in Parkinson’s” - NoSilverBullet4PD, 2023 - has Q&A from attendees following the presentation.

Best regards.

metabolicneurologist.com/pr...

[park_bear]

A person has to sign up at that website to view any content, and it looks like payment is required to view the subject of the post

[mitochondria in reply to park_bear]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that registration is required. Payment wasn’t required though.

[Jjrr in reply to park_bear]

see youtube: youtu.be/O2yJAqRP0Y8(Not working as expected?)

[mitochondria in reply to Jjrr]

Thanks Jjrr . This presentation and the associated clinical trial were my starting points nearly 5 years back!! Best to you.

[Boscoejean]

He has a lot of information on his site

metabolicneurologist.com/

static1.squarespace.com/sta...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Mezmerric]

Dr Phillips believes in the benefit of being in Ketosis - and this document is essentially a guide to a 'Ketonic Diet'.

Research indicates that as we age and become more insulin resistant and the brain is less able to uses glucose efficiently (particularly in the case of PD and Alzheimers) . However, the brain can continue to use 'Ketones'.

Earlier this week, I posted about the 'Brain Energy Gap' which highlights the work of Professor Cunnane who demonstrates this.

A ketogenic diet will force the liver, in the absence of carbs, to produce ketones - this is known as endogenous ketones.

Some will find a ketogenic diet too difficult, so there is also the possibility of using supplementary ketones (exogeneous ketones). There are a number of methods

1. MCT Oils (45gms per day)

2. Ketone Salts

3. Ketone Esters

Ketone esters are the most powerful, but they are only manufactuered by a couple of companies and are expensive (DeltaG and KetoneAid)

Hope this is useful.

[JayPwP in reply to Mezmerric]

After watching the Brain Energy Gap presentation, I was intrigued by the statement that all the glucose deficient cells are not dead and can be revived using ketones.

Here's another shorter video:

youtu.be/EifPhQeJbRc(Not working as expected?)

[Mezmerric in reply to JayPwP]

Yes. I’ve read the scientific papers on which he is a co author which are convincing.

[ghoegap in reply to Mezmerric]

Yes, he did a small study . If i recall correctly 40 people. My husband tried keto on the basis of that study. It was only when I looked more carefully at that study( after my hwp lost so much weight) that I realised that all 40 people in his study were obese. I still feel there is merit in his thinking but we could not stem the weight loss to continue long enough

[mitochondria in reply to ghoegap]

ghoegap on Dr Matt's website there is metabolic therapy plan and recipes (well formed keto - low carb/adequate protein/high fat). I am skinny and have BMI similar to lowest BMI participants that qualified for his study and I have been able to maintain my weight in the same range. Many days I eat recipes from his therapy plan - metabolicneurologist.com/me...

[ghoegap in reply to mitochondria]

"as per the study: the average patient in both groups lost 4 to 5 kg, yet remained overweight at week 8 ..... " In our case we did use the therapy plan , ended up adding ketone muscle builder but became worried at the ongoing weight loss. Maybe we should have gone on longer to find stabilisation.

[mitochondria in reply to ghoegap]

Hi ghoegap , I have heard Dr Matt say that the “quick/good responders in the Parkinson’s study were the ones overweight” and also “keto preserves muscle mass”.

Below is also from his Parkinson’s study (note the calorie boosters - I use half avocado blended with about a cup of coconut cream sometimes with my OMAD dinner and it helps with not losing weight for me).

I have also included links to his case studies in Huntington’s (patient weight remained stable) and recent one in ALS (patient had weight loss but it was attenuated) - disorders where weight loss is a significant issue and is discussed in the studies - both the patients have been on TMAD (two meals a day) and keto. Hope this helps. Cheers.

Parkinson’s study diet with calorie boosters:

The

low-fat plan provided 1,750 kcal per day composed of

42 g of fat (10 g saturated), 75 g of protein, 246 g net

carbohydrate, and 33 g of fiber, and for those with

higher energy needs, ad libitum “calorie-booster” recipes

each providing on average 500 extra kcal composed

of 4 g of fat (1 g saturated), 6 g of protein,

102 g net carbohydrate, and 13 g of fiber. The ketogenic

plan provided 1,750 kcal per day composed of

152 g of fat (67 g saturated), 75 g of protein, 16 g net

carbohydrate, and 11 g of fiber, with each caloriebooster

recipe providing on average 500 extra kcal

composed of 50 g of fat (22 g saturated), 6 g of protein,

5 g net carbohydrate, and 4 g of fiber.

Huntington’s case study

frontiersin.org/articles/10...

ALS case study

frontiersin.org/journals/ne...

[ghoegap in reply to mitochondria]

Thanks for your input and effort! Much appreciated. Will take a fresh look at your suggestions. I do not take issue with Dr Phillips research re keto etc. It is not so simple when a pwp has real issues with weight loss anyway. My hwp is 77 so is elderly ( as indeed am I) and possible frailty is an issue on its own regardless of parkinson's. I will read those case studies you posted carefully . Again thanks o you and every good wish on your own journey

[mitochondria in reply to ghoegap]

 ghoegap , many thanks for your questions, comments and wishes.

Some “isometric”/”biometric”/”yoga type” exercises may help with muscle mass - your husband and you can try as you are able, not exceeding 30 to 40 minutes a week (better as 10 minutes three days a week, I do) - research is coming out on the benefits of these over “ultra athletic” exercises.

Dr Mary Newport’s story (and her husband’s and researcher Dr Veech’s) is close to my heart. Watch it when you get a chance. Best with your and your husband’s journey as well.

youtu.be/r3-5GQfeJ68(Not working as expected?)

[mitochondria in reply to Mezmerric]

Yes Mezmerric - profound work by Dr Cunnane as well. My (paraphrased) favorite line from Dr Cunnane's work is "glucose needs to be pulled into cells for use, where as ketones get pushed into the cells"... above diagram is from Dr Cunnane's paper.

While Dr Cunnane uses supplements also, Dr Matt does not use supplements like MCT oil or Ketone esters in his clinical trials - only ketogenic diet and fasting-time restricted eating protocols.

Personally I used keto coffee with MCT oil for a couple of years with OMAD/Keto. But no more keto supplements (miss my frothy keto coffee, but black coffee is great too!) in the last two years and I find it is better.

Glucose-Ketones Push-Pull mechanism

[Mezmerric in reply to mitochondria]

Yes, I agree. The push - pull diagram is an excellent way to describe it! How long have you been on a ketogenic diet, what is your usual ketone blood level - and do you think it has improved or prevented progression of symptoms? What would be interesting to know is the impact of higher safe ketosis by being on both a ketogenic diet as well as ketone supplements vs either single protocol.

[mitochondria in reply to Mezmerric]

@mezzmeric - glad for your interest in metabolic therapies.

I have been doing OMAD keto since 2019. Fasting/keto combination has been beneficial. Dr Matt’s analogy is Fasting is like Batman (improves many metabolic factors including BHB ketone) and keto diet is like Robin… and I think together the two have helped me at least stop the progression. A publication by Dr Matt on this topic mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/10/2501 and a discussion with Dr Shawn Baker - link below:

I use mucuna and ashwagandha combination for symptoms. I could reduce these two supplements over a period and have been able to maintain the same reduced doses for over two years (and no other supplements except Magnesium).

The only ketone supplement I have tried in the past is C8 MCT oil in two servings of keto coffee during the day with OMAD dinner. The ketone levels go up after half hr of keto/MCT coffee and come down after two hours. Interestingly ketone #s are higher with OMAD/keto than with OMAD/keto/MCT. You may want to read Dr Mary Newport’s book ‘The Complete Book of Ketones’ - potential side effects of supplements explained. The side effect of MCT oil for me was GI symptoms and I had to limit MCT oil to 2 tbsp per day.

Ketone/Glucose levels vary depending on the time of the day I measure (ketone #s go down after exercise because they get used up, not necessarily because I am kicked out of ketosis). Prescription meds may have an effect too. My dinner time varies depending on the day, so I usually measure first thing in the morning. I try to maintain a therapeutic level of ketosis (GKI from 1 to 3).

youtu.be/znIyj-TfPJA(Not working as expected?)

[Mezmerric in reply to mitochondria]

Really fascinating. Thanks for sharing. A few questions and an observation. Are you on meds and if so have these changed over time? Do you ever fast longer than 24 hours or just stay on OMAD ? Is the reason that your ketones are higher without supplements because exogenous ketones blunt the liver’s need or capability to produce endogenous ketones? The fasting paper points out that neuron glucose metabolism is impaired in PD. I also read that a high proportion of those with PD are insulin resistant despite having normal blood sugar readings. As well as Ketones it has made me wonder if this is the reason why GLP1-1 agonists such as Exenatide and Liraglutide are showing promising results.

[mitochondria in reply to Mezmerric]

Mezmerric I am not on “prescription meds”. That said, Mucuna (natural L-dopa) and Ashwagandha “supplements” I use may be comparable to prescription drugs in potency. I have been able to reduce both over time. Dr Matt uses 5 day fasts with his cancer patients and I have tried them. I have not researched why ketones are higher without exogenous ketones, nor have I looked into GLP1 drugs…

I would consider my main approach to PD as fasting/keto with Mucuna/Ashwagandha as adjunct.

Wish there was a brain insulin resistance measurement meter But if GKI is higher (lower ketones and/or higher glucose), I have noticed the mucuna on time is correspondingly lower.

Best.

[JayPwP in reply to mitochondria]

Sorry if this is a duplicate question...

How long ago were you diagnosed and at what age? What do you eat on OMAD, how many carbs? How much Mucuna and Ashwagandha, which brand and at what times? Which Magnesium, how much and at what times?

[JayPwP in reply to JayPwP]

mitochondria ??

[mitochondria in reply to JayPwP]

Jay,

I was diagnosed in 2017 at age 44. “Idiopathic (origin unknown) Young Onset Parkinsons”.

OMAD dinner - We have a printed copy of Dr Matt’s Metabolic therapy plan in the kitchen - there is an Indian section in it as well. Typical dinner is a main dish from his plan, a medium salad with 6 tbsp olive oil, 4 eggs and a cup of chicken stock/beef broth. Keto is a family thing - me, my husband and my two teenage boys all eat keto.

Each of us may be at a different place metabolically, use below supplement information as guideline only - you will need to adjust them for your needs:

Mucuna: From a proprietary protocol I followed in the past - 40% L-dopa, I use 6 - 8 grams per day. Others here may have some suggestions on mucuna source. Ashwagandha - 3 - 4 gms per day - Physician’s choice KSM-66 ashwagandha. I take mucuna and ashwagandha split as 4 or 5 doses per day.

Magnesium - I currently use Magtein and Magnesium glycinate combination and sometimes Magnesium citrate. My reply to an earlier post here:

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

[JayPwP in reply to mitochondria]

Thank you for the details 🙏

[Bluebell2022]

Has anyone tried a fasting regime, and if so, what was the outcome?

[mitochondria]

  Bluebell2022 , please see my response to Mezmerric . Please let me know if you have any questions. Also check this out:

William Curtis reduced Parkinson's symptoms 80% and stopped progression for 7 years.

youtube.com/watch?v=X_zg3iT...(Not working as expected?)