Q&A: Harvard Trained Psychiatrist Answers: Low Carb vs Keto and More
Metabolic Mind
154,901 views
What’s the difference between a low-carb diet and a ketogenic diet, especially when it comes to mental health?
In this premiere Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher (Medical Director at Metabolic Mind) and Harvard trained psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede answer some of the most common questions they receive about ketogenic diets specifically for mental illness.
Whether you're new to ketogenic therapy or have been experimenting for years, this discussion offers valuable clarity on concepts that often cause confusion, even among clinicians.
💡 Topics covered include:
The difference between low-carb and ketogenic diets for mental health
Why being “in ketosis” matters more than just eating low carb
How high ketones may need to be for mood and psychiatric benefit
When (and how often) to test ketone levels
Factors that may affect your ability to stay in ketosis, including stress, sleep, exercise, and protein intake
Whether a ketogenic diet needs to be lifelong for mental health benefits
When (or if) supplements like MCT oil or exogenous ketones are appropriate
This episode is not a deep dive into every topic, but it sets the stage for future discussions—and highlights just how individualized ketogenic therapy can be.
📬 Have a question for Dr. Ede and Dr. Scher?
Leave a comment below or DM us on Instagram or X/Twitter (@MetabolicMind). Your question may be featured in a future Mailbag episode!
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🔗 Learn more about ketogenic therapy for mental health: https://www.metabolicmind.org
#KetogenicDiet #MentalHealth #LowCarbVsKeto #DrGeorgiaEde #DrBretScher #MetabolicPsychiatry #NutritionForMentalHealth #BrainEnergy #Ketosis #Depression #BipolarDisorder #Schizophrenia #MailbagEpisode #MetabolicMind
Expert Featured:
Dr. Bret Sher
Dr. Georgia Ede
Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.
Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/
About us:
Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.
Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction to the mailbag format. Send us your questions!
2:37 - What is the difference between a low-carb diet and a ketogenic diet?
4:21 - Low carb vs keto for mental health improvement.
7:40 - How high do ketones need to be for mental health benefits?
10:54 - When should you monitor your ketone levels?
14:34 - How do you raise your ketone levels?
18:52 - Should you take exogenous ketones or MCT oil to raise ketone levels? How does exercise affect ketones?
20:40 - How much protein should you eat on a ketogenic diet?
24:49 - How long do you have to stay keto to improve mental health?
27:45 - Are there risks to doing keto long term?
29:07 - Conclusion & what to expect from future mailbag episodes. Submit your questions!
20 Comments
I began with 100 days of carnivore.
I also weight train and walk.
I gained 135 pounds from taking 15 different rx meds, including multiple antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers, strictly for major depression. Also had 2 inpatient hospitalizations and 2 series of ECT.
Today, after 25 years on these meds, I've been off all meds for 8 years, using periodic water fasting and the past 2 years the carnivore ketogenic therapy diet, still off all meds.
I also lost all but 15 pounds of that huge weight gain, thank God!
Carnivore has given me the highest quality of life physically and mentally.
I love fruit, veg, dairy (grains not so much), but I eat them sparingly one meal a week as only part of a meal that begins with animal protein.
Limiting fruit and veg is definitely the main reason I'm still alive and well today.
I'm so grateful to Dr Scher, Dr Edes, Dr Palmer and the Metabolic Mind team for keeping ketogenic therapy information so prominently in the public eye.
One day soon, all their scientists will speak like the rest of us. Come on Georgia, you can do this!!
Q&A: Harvard Trained Psychiatrist Answers: Low Carb vs Keto and More
Metabolic Mind
154,901 views
What’s the difference between a low-carb diet and a ketogenic diet, especially when it comes to mental health?
In this premiere Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher (Medical Director at Metabolic Mind) and Harvard trained psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede answer some of the most common questions they receive about ketogenic diets specifically for mental illness.
Whether you're new to ketogenic therapy or have been experimenting for years, this discussion offers valuable clarity on concepts that often cause confusion, even among clinicians.
💡 Topics covered include:
The difference between low-carb and ketogenic diets for mental health
Why being “in ketosis” matters more than just eating low carb
How high ketones may need to be for mood and psychiatric benefit
When (and how often) to test ketone levels
Factors that may affect your ability to stay in ketosis, including stress, sleep, exercise, and protein intake
Whether a ketogenic diet needs to be lifelong for mental health benefits
When (or if) supplements like MCT oil or exogenous ketones are appropriate
This episode is not a deep dive into every topic, but it sets the stage for future discussions—and highlights just how individualized ketogenic therapy can be.
📬 Have a question for Dr. Ede and Dr. Scher?
Leave a comment below or DM us on Instagram or X/Twitter (@MetabolicMind). Your question may be featured in a future Mailbag episode!
---
🔗 Learn more about ketogenic therapy for mental health: https://www.metabolicmind.org
#KetogenicDiet #MentalHealth #LowCarbVsKeto #DrGeorgiaEde #DrBretScher #MetabolicPsychiatry #NutritionForMentalHealth #BrainEnergy #Ketosis #Depression #BipolarDisorder #Schizophrenia #MailbagEpisode #MetabolicMind
Expert Featured:
Dr. Bret Sher
Dr. Georgia Ede
Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.
Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/
About us:
Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.
Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction to the mailbag format. Send us your questions!
2:37 - What is the difference between a low-carb diet and a ketogenic diet?
4:21 - Low carb vs keto for mental health improvement.
7:40 - How high do ketones need to be for mental health benefits?
10:54 - When should you monitor your ketone levels?
14:34 - How do you raise your ketone levels?
18:52 - Should you take exogenous ketones or MCT oil to raise ketone levels? How does exercise affect ketones?
20:40 - How much protein should you eat on a ketogenic diet?
24:49 - How long do you have to stay keto to improve mental health?
27:45 - Are there risks to doing keto long term?
29:07 - Conclusion & what to expect from future mailbag episodes. Submit your questions!
Too be honest having over an entire year living like a regular person, able to do things and maintain relationships etc has taken some work to adapt to but I am very pleased.😏