by Lewis Chang, PhD Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system (CNS) in which the immune system attacks and damages the myelin sheaths of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord.1 Common symptoms include cognitive difficulties, vision problems, fatigue, pain, motor problems, bladder dysfunction, and sexual problems. However, symptoms and their severity vary greatly from patient to patient depending on the location of affected nerve fibers. What triggers MS is still unknown, but a…

by Ashley Jordan Ferira, PhD, RDN Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), AKA “concussion,” results from an impact to the head (e.g. bump, blow, jolt) that disrupts normal brain function or consciousness.1 Concussions in youth are more common than you may think. In 2016, 19.5% of US adolescents reported at least 1 diagnosed concussion during their lifetime, with 5.5% reporting >1 concussion.2 In addition to competitive sports participation (particularly contact sports), other characteristics associated with a higher concussion rates include being…

by Christopher Moulton, PhD Depression is one of the most common mood disorders in the US and worldwide. In 2016 an estimated 16.2 million adults, or 6.7% of US adults, suffered at least one major depressive episode,1 while globally more than 300 million are afflicted.2 Further, depression is comorbid with numerous chronic disease states including cardiovascular disease,3 type 2 diabetes,4 inflammatory bowel disease,5 and cognitive decline.6 Current frontline therapies such as psychotherapy and antidepressant medications present challenges related to treatment…

by Lewis Chang, PhD Ketosis is the metabolic state in which ketone bodies—alternative energy substrates to glucose—are produced from fat and utilized as the main energy source for the body. An important study found that nutritional ketosis induced by consumption of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil helped increase the redox NAD+/NADH ratio in the brain of healthy young adults.1 Disturbed glucose metabolism and the resulting inadequate energy supply to the brain contributes to the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s…

Host: Deanna Minich, PhD, CNS, FACN, IFMCP Guest: Christopher Keroack, MD, IFMCP You may have heard about the ketogenic diet. This high-fat, low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein dietary pattern has experienced a revival of sorts in the mainstream media and dieting world. But, before “keto” was a contemporary fad, how was it used? In fact, there is ~100 years of science supporting the ketogenic diet. To shed light on its history of use and elucidate practical areas of clinical application, Drs. Deanna Minich and Christopher…

by Lewis Chang, PhD The Mediterranean diet (MED), characterized by a high consumption of plant-based foods, less red meat, and using olive oil as the main source of fat, is one of the healthiest diets. A study found that MED might also prolong brain health and function in cognitively healthy middle-aged individuals.1 According to an earlier systematic review of cohort studies and randomized controlled trials, adherence to MED was associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease…

by Milene Brownlow, PhD This 3-part blog series explores the history (Part 1), mechanisms and evidence (Part 2) underlying the neuroprotective effects of the ketogenic diet. In the final part 3, let’s investigate the current scientific evidence in support of the ketogenic diet (KD) as a therapeutic approach for specific neurological disorders. Preclinical study evidence In rodents, diet-induced ketosis has been shown to reverse motor deficits in a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),1 reduce lesion volume after traumatic brain…

by Milene Brownlow, PhD In addition to their original use as an anticonvulsant treatment (explored in Part 1 of this blog series), ketogenic diets (KDs) are increasingly viewed as a promising metabolic therapy for other neurological conditions. But first, an important question: Are KDs neuroprotective because of the reduction in glucose and insulin levels or due to the presence of ketones? Answer: Both. On the one hand, chronic consumption of refined sugar and starches results in systemic inflammation in the…

Although the ketogenic diet has been used clinically since the early 20th century, with specific therapeutic use for seizure mitigation in children with intractable epilepsy, the “keto diet” is now discussed more broadly, having even entered colloquial use. With the ketogenic diet’s recent rise in mainstream popularity and increased clinical exposure, we compiled a Q&A with Mark Kaye, DC to answer specific questions from healthcare practitioners. Does a ketogenic lifestyle work for hypothyroid patients? Contributing factors to low thyroid function…

by Milene Brownlow, PhD It is estimated that 5.7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).1 For decades, research efforts have targeted neuropathological features of the disease (amyloid plaques, tau dysregulation and tangle formation) with little success so far. Impaired brain glucose metabolism is an early hallmark of the disease.2 For instance, cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglu) utilization was found to be 13% lower in AD compared to healthy, young subjects.3 Conversely, brain ketone metabolism remains unchanged in mild…