There's so much buzz about keto these days, there must be something to it, right? I mean, if it didn't work to help people lose weight and feel better, they wouldn't be doing it.
I admit, despite my years of research and practice; despite having co-written three books on nutrition; despite seeing the positive effects of a plant-based diet on people's health and vitality every single day – I still have this little voice in my head that's incredibly susceptible to really good marketing.
And boy, does the keto/paleo crowd have us beat on marketing!
So when I came across a series of scholarly-yet-accessible articles on the ketogenic diet, covering its history, physiological effects, and efficacy for weight loss, diabetes prevention/reversal, and cancer treatment, I devoured them. And then asked their author, Robyn Chuter, to make a second appearance on the podcast.
Robyn is a “recovering naturopath” from Australia, and a diplomate of the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine. Her knowledge of health and nutrition is encyclopedic, and by that I mean when encyclopedias were written by experts, not anonymous Wikipedians.
I hope you enjoy her deconstruction of the ketogenic mythology as much as I did.
Oh, and we also covered an area of Robyn's primary research, on how Facebook groups can help people become healthier. We talked about best and worst practices in setting up and running these groups. If you are involved in online health promotion, this will be extremely valuable stuff!
In our conversation, we covered:
- why your microbiome is like the Altamont Hell's Angels
- the origins of ketogenic diets in treatment of childhood epilepsy
- the biology of glucose, glycogen, glycerol, and ketones
- why the body hoards protein, except in extreme emergency
- ketosis as a backup generator
- how ketosis compromises higher brain functions, and puts us in fight or flight mode
- is some ketosis good? the theory of hormetic stress
- why people who did the worst felt the best – the adaptation delusion
- why people have spiritual experiences when fasting, according to science
- “alcohol, cigarettes, and cocaine also make you feel better – that's why we have science”
- why today's keto doesn't remotely approximate true ketogenesis
- bacon isn't paleolithic
- a few days of low carb eating impairs endothelial function
- keto improves diabetes biomarkers while worsening the disease
- no long term studies of ketogenic diets, or of holding your breath – wonder why?
- the importance of Facebook group moderation
- why posting ugly meals is so important
- how to not be an asshole online
- and much more…
Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box or audio recording box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.
Links
Robyn's website: EmpowerTotalHealth.com.au
The keto articles: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
Article: Intergenerational effects of high fat diets on the gut microbiome
Spread the word about Bryan Falchuk's birthday present to himself: One Vegan Day
Support the Podcast
Like what you hear? You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by becoming a patron. Click the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.
Want to become a mega-effective plant-based health coach?
Next training starts mid-October. Email me to find out more: **@pl***********.com.
Ready to embark on your Big Change journey?
Read more and apply at WellStartHealth.com/program.
Ask your questions or share your feedback
Comment on the show notes for this episode (below)
Connect with me
Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes
Join the Plant Yourself Facebook Page
Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
Gratitudes
Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons
– Kim Harrison
– Lynn McLellan
– Anthony Dissen
– Brittany Porter
– Dominic Marro
– Barbara Whitney
– Tammy Black
– Amy Good
– Amanda Hatherly
– Mary Jane Wheeler
– Ellen Kennelly
– Melissa Cobb
– Rachel Behrens
– Christine Nielsen
– Tina Scharf
– Tina Ahern
– Jen Vilkinofsky
– David Byczek
– Michele X
– Elspeth Feldman
– Viktoriya Dolomanova
– Leah Stolar
– Allan Kristensen
– Colleen Peck
– Michele Landry
– Jozina
– Julianne Rowland
– Stu Dolnick
– Sara Durkacs
– Kelly Cameron
– Wayne Pedersen
– Leanne Peterson
– Janet Selby
– Claire Adams
– Tom Fronczak
– Jeannette Benham
– Gila Lacerte
– David Donohue
– Blair Seibert
– Doron Avizov
– Gio and Carolyn Argentati
– Jodi Friesner
– RuthAnn Funderburk
– Mischa Rosen
– Michael Worobiec
– Alicia Lemus
– Val Linnemann
– Nick Harper
– Stephanie Halmes
– Bandana Chawla
– Martha Bergner
– Nikole Ramsay
– Susan Ahmad
– Molly Levine
– The Inscrutable Harry R
– Susan Laverty the Panda Vegan
– Craig Covic
– Adam Scharf
– Karen Bury
– Heather Morgan
– Ashley Corcoran
– Kelly Michiya
– DeAnne Norton
– Bonnie Lynch of Plant Happy Oregon
– Sabine Kurtzhals
– Nigel Davies
– Marian Blum
– Teresa Kopel
– Shell Routledge
– Julian Watkins
– Brid O'Connell
– Brian Sheridan
– Shannon Herschman
– Cate Rolls
– Linda Ayotte
– Julie Lang
– Holm Hedegaard
– Isa Tousignant
– Connie Haneline
– Erin Greer
– Alicia Davis
– AvIvA Lael
– Heather O'Connor
– Carollynne Jensen
– Sheri Orlekoski of Plant Powered for Health
– Karen Smith
– Scott Mirani
– Karen and Joe Crabtree
– Tanya Lewis
– Kirby Burton
– Theresa Carrell
– Kevin Macaulay
– Elizabeth Rothschild
– Kelly Baker Miracle
– Ann Jesse
– Sheryl Dwyer
– Jenny Hazelton
– Valerie Pelletier
– Peter W Evans
– Colleen Harrison
– Justine Divett
– Joshua Sommermeyer
– Dennis Bird
– Darby Kelly
– Lori Fanney
– Linnea Lundquist
– Valarie Hummel
– Deb Coscia
– Emily Iaconelli
– Levi Wallach
– Rosamonde McAtee
– Dan Pokorney
– Stephen Leinin
– Patty DeMartino
– Mike and Donna Kartz
for your generous support of the podcast.
Disclosure
This post may contain amazon affiliate links. I may receive amazon gift certificates from your actions on such links.
Looking for Transformational Change?
You know how when you discovered plant-based eating, you basically went, “Holy shit, how come the entire healthcare system isn't totally embracing this as one of the most powerful keys to disease prevention and reversal!”?
That's how I feel now about a psychological approach to transformational change called “Memory Reconsolidation.” Few psychologists have heard about it, and when they do hear the radical transformations it can bring about in a very short time, they're often skeptical to the point of disbelief.
But I've added Memory Reconsolidation work to my own coaching, and can attest to its amazing efficacy. So much so, that I'm devoting the next year to mastering it, studying with the best clinicians and teachers in the world, and then introducing it into health coaching through my trainings.
Right now, I want to triple my coaching practice to get more and more opportunities to do this work. And I'm lowering my fees – a lot – to make it easier for people to work with me.
If you're interested in working with me (and willing to commit to a minimum of 2 months), click the link below to open the form in a new browser tab and I'll get back to you within 3 business days.
Yes, I'm interested in Memory Reconsolidation Coaching.
You CAN Change Other People!
Well, that's what Peter Bregman and I claim in our provocative book of that title.
What we really mean is, you can help the people around you make behavioral changes in their own best interests. If you think you're powerless to help people change, it's because you've been going about it the wrong way.
Discover our straightforward, replicable process here: You Can Change Other People.
Audiobook: Use the Weight to Lose the Weight
Listen to Josh LaJaunie and me narrate our latest audiobook, about how to start moving when you're obese.
It's $10, and Josh and I split it evenly 🙂
Tip Jar
This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by clicking the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.
Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
Gratitudes
Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons – Kim Harrison – Lynn McLellan – Brittany Porter – Dominic Marro – Barbara Whitney – Tammy Black – Amy Good – Amanda Hatherly – Mary Jane Wheeler – Ellen Kennelly – Melissa Cobb – Rachel Behrens – Tina Scharf – Tina Ahern – Jen Vilkinofsky – David Byczek – Michele X – Elspeth Feldman – Leah Stolar – Allan Kristensen – Colleen Peck – Michele Landry – Jozina – Sara Durkacs – Kelly Cameron – Janet Selby – Claire Adams – Tom Fronczak – Jeannette Benham – Gila Lacerte – David Donohue – Blair Seibert – Doron Avizov – Gio and Carolyn Argentati – Jodi Friesner – Mischa Rosen – Michael Worobiec – AvIvA Lael – Alicia Lemus – Val Linnemann – Nick Harper – Bandana Chawla – Molly Levine – The Inscrutable Harry R – Susan Laverty the Panda Vegan – Craig Covic – Adam Scharf – Karen Bury – Heather Morgan – Nigel Davies – Marian Blum – Teresa Kopel – Julian Watkins – Brid O'Connell – Shannon Herschman – Linda Ayotte – Holm Hedegaard – Isa Tousignant – Connie Haneline – Erin Greer – Alicia Davis – Heather O'Connor – Carollynne Jensen – Sheri Orlekoski of Plant Powered for Health – Karen Smith – Scott Mirani – Karen and Joe Crabtree – Kirby Burton – Theresa Carrell – Kevin Macaulay – Elizabeth Rothschild – Ann Jesse – Sheryl Dwyer – Jenny Hazelton – Peter W Evans – Dennis Bird – Darby Kelly – Lori Fanney – Linnea Lundquist – Emily Iaconelli – Levi Wallach – Rosamonde McAtee – Dan Pokorney – Stephen Leinin – Patty DeMartino – Mike and Donna Kartz – Deanne Bishop – Bilberry Elf – Marjorie Lewis – Tricia Adams – Nancy Sheldon – Lindsey Bashore – Gunn Marit Hagen – Tracey Gulledge – Lara Hedin – Meg from Mamasezz – Stacey Stokes – Ben Savage – Michael K – David Hughes -Coni Rodgers – Claire England – Sally Robertson – Parham Ganchi – Amy Dailey – Brian Tourville – Mark Jeffrey Johnson – Josie Dempsey – Caryn Schmitt – Pamela Hayden – Emily Perryman – Allison Corbett – Richard Stone – Lauren Vaught of Edible Musings – Erin Hastey – Sean Owens – Sagar Naik – Erika Piedra – Danielle Roberts – Michael Leuchten – Sarah Johnson – Katharine Floyd – Meryl Fury – for your generous support of the podcast.
Disclosure
This post may contain amazon affiliate links. I may receive compensation from your actions on such links. It don't cost you a dime, tho.
While I’ve been vegan for 10 years and understand a whole food plant based diet to be excellent if not superior in chronic disease prevention, I can’t ignore current research being around treatment of specific disease processes using ketosis. Dr Rhona Patrick is a longevity bio-researcher who hosts a really interesting podcast–her guests are science heavyweights but the dialogue is understandable with basic scientific knowledge. Her most recent interviewee is researching treating Alzheimer’s–it’s pretty fascinating, https://www.foundmyfitness.com/episodes/dale-bredesen.
As someone who developed an autoimmune condition while on a plant based diet, who took years to understand her condition and how diet affected it, and eventually landed on Terry Wahl’s ketogenic diet with good health effects, I find myself sad to hear the heavy-handed bias against ketogenic diets in this podcast, and baffled at the lack of awareness of the different types of ketogenic diets. This podcast does not come across as an informed unbiased perspective, which would be consistent with a scientific approach.
Thanks for your comment, Mary. I’m delighted to hear that you’ve found healing through Dr Wahl’s protocols.
In terms of science, are there any randomized or large-scale outcome studies you can point to that would support long-term use of any form of ketogenic diet for auto-immune conditions? I’d love to take a look at them.
Thanks!