Brain Energy, Mitochondria, and Mental Health with Dr. Chris Palmer

According to Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Chris Palmer and the Brain Energy theory, mitochondria play a crucial role in mental health and in psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and others. But the good news is that recognizing the importance of mitochondria and metabolic health can help us see psychiatric illness in a whole new way and may offer novel, more effective treatments. Dr. Palmer argues this could be the solution to our mental health crisis and not only improve the lives of individuals but also impact our homeless and incarceration problems.
Expert featured in this video
Chris Palmer, MD - www.ChrisPalmerMD.com
Twitter @ChrisPalmerMD
Purchase Brain Energy by Chris Palmer, MD:
brainenergy.com/#order-window
0:00 The Brain Energy Theory
0:40 Introduction to Metabolic Mind and Dr. Chris Palmer
5:07 Clinician response to the brain energy theory
8:39 The safety and evidence of ketogenic therapy for mental health
10:40 The role of mitochondria in mental illness.
19:51 What improves mitochondrial health
22:57 How ketogenic therapy improves mitochondrial health
30:09 Is improving your diet enough to heal mitochondria?
34:06 The impact of exercise on metabolic and mental health
39:52 Psychiatric medications that impact metabolic health
43:07 The next step for the metabolic mental health movement
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 metabolicmind.org/
About us:
Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders.
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.
#MetabolicMind
#KetoForMentalHealth
#MetabolicPsychiatry
#BipolarTreatment
#MetabolicNeuroscience
#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy
#NutritionalKetosis
#MentalIllnessTreatment
#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth
#MitochondrialDisease
#BrainEnergy

[@CaptainSteve777]

Keto is as old as mankind and was needed virtually every Winter when carbs were limited.

[@raykinney9907]

Indeed, it seems that ketone bodies fuel the brains of human baby's because more is needed for the huge growth rates, especially of the supply from the mother's milk. Ancient people needed ketones from fat to balance nearly 50/50 with lean meat to remain healthy apparently.

[@Loriorealestate]

Interesting

[@raykinney9907]

Paleo hunters seemed to hunt the young nursing animals in the spring because they had fat. The adults were too lean. In the late summer and fall they could get both meat and fat from adult animals. Pemmican was made 50% fat in later cultures, and probably in early cultures too.IMHO@@Loriorealestate

[@leannedeco9484]

I would not say that it was needed during the Winter months. I would say that that is what developed in our system to survive the winter months and that is what our natural Biological response is and we have systematically forced fed a change in the way our body is fed Food for energy.

[@NeseretBemient]

@@leannedeco9484 You're both pointing to the fact that our bodies are intelligent and know what is really needed to survive, thrive, and evolve through challenging times and here we are now - thoroughly confused about our basic diet. How ironic is that?

[@nicolelaurentLMHC]

Love this. Chris is not the only clinician seeing these transformations. I am seeing them. Georgia is seeing them. Shebani is seeing them. Iain is seeing them. My god, we are reproducing the effects in completely different therapy rooms! This is not a clinician or psychotherapeutic modality-specific result. This is providing something and doing something that the standard of care is not addressing and missing. This needs to become an option as a standard of care.

[@metabolicmind]

Thank you for sharing your experience, Nicole! It's exciting to hear from more clinicians about the success of ketogenic therapy.

[@kirstinstrand6292]

This may be true, yet an anxiety disorder (mine) was cured by psychoanalysis. Childhood trauma and/or emotional neglect creates many neurotic humans. Please do not lump all mental health issues in your understanding of these serious problems. 😮😮 ps. My personal history is well documented and can be verified.

[@johannaschwarz9825]

🎉

[@johannaschwarz9825]

Plan to attend the Florida summit, where they are all presenting 😊

[@ianstuart5660]

Wow, what a vote of confidence for alternative therapies!!

[@chrissie.0864]

My friend was hospitalised in a mental health unit (UK) - I was shocked at the poor diet patients received

[@joycebrewer4150]

I live in senior housing, with a kitchen and dining room for all. I would say the same about food in the dining room. Barely any cabbage, drowned in salad dressing. Iceberg lettuce only, one meal per day if that. Frequent meals of breaded, fried meat, or cured meats. Potatoes served as chips, fries, mashed from instant dried flakes. Much cheese, tucked inside foods you wouldn't expect it in. Lots of sugary desserts. Rarely any bread other than white flour from wheat. It has been an uphill fight to get fresh fruit and vegetables on menu at all. Cooked to mush far more typical. Or canned in heavy syrup. The current cook thankfully has a lighter hand adding salt to food than past cooks.

[@barblacy619]

Or in hospitals or in schools or in long term care facilities or any where the government has the authority…hmmm

[@NeseretBemient]

@@joycebrewer4150 Over the years I have worked in various conventional mental health settings, and the food is often very unhealthy. One place I worked at, a treatment center for youth - they had 3 meals and 3 snacks filled with sugar, lots of carbs, fruits, and lots of bread and pasta, and very little fat, and protein (again breaded, fried, processed meat etc.) Nutrition is seen as not essential for their healing/reducing inflammation/recovery. What do you mean? What is the effects of these types of foods on a developing brains?

[@joycebrewer4150]

@@NeseretBemient Not good. Young brains still developing need a full range of nutrients to work optimally. Sugar is not an essential nutrient. Honey was the closest humanity had to refined sugar until the Middle Ages, and a person then might go almost a year between honey sweetened meals. The stresses on young minds that lead to inpatient mental health care, especially need super nutrition to help heal from. I am sorry these kids don't get it.

[@lisamoag6548]

No fresh air or sunshine either. Punishment not care. Suffer quietly or else. Cruel and unusual punishment for being abused by others, poisoning patients and imprisonments for truth telling and being upset about the abuse. Very nasty world.

[@cates_keto]

I grew up in a very stressful environment as a child. I was constantly stressed and sad and emotionally dysfunctional and that continued all of my life, nothing solved it… until last May 2023 when I discovered Ketogenic diet. I am so happy. My husband says he never suffers stress anymore. My children are experiencing happiness they haven’t had since early childhood (when they were not yet insulin resistant! 😂😂 so thank you to all of you guys out there helping us!!! Informing us that there is a parallel universe where people are happy, unified and healthy. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@JenMarco]

I stopped eating bread, pasta and rice years ago. Whenever I cheat, I wake up the next morning with a painful hunger in my stomach that I’m not used to feeling. I feel fatigued and all over crappy.

[@jamescalifornia2964]

NO🚫STARCH 😉

[@ianstuart5660]

@JenMarco Same here! For me, it's almost like a too much alcohol hangover!

[@gsismaet5385]

Same here. This is the peace that I longed for.

[@vegan4life532]

I’ve been Raw Vegan for over 50 years and for the past 11 years have benefited tremendously by dropping the carbohydrates from my diet. Much less anxiety and much more steady energy.

[@beccaprice7108]

Unfortunately what I've discovered with my own therapist and the psychiatrists in his clinic, they just don't care.

[@robyn3349]

You care. That is what matters.

[@lisagayhart2482]

I had the same problem with my diabetes doctor. I informed her I was gonna do it. Which medication to stop first or how much…

[@gerarddilk4862]

That is sadly, the truth

[@mikegrand4181]

That's because there is no money to be made from it due to no drugs to prescribe. Also, most doctors were never taught about diet and leaky gut and the gut brain axis in med school. So ignore them, and get to work.

[@AnneAlready]

That's what's so great about the metabolic approach, you can claim some agency over your healthcare. (This doesn't excuse unhelpful therapists but it makes your healing independent from their ignorance.)

[@catzlady.8189]

Dr Palmer is a rock star. I m loving your sharing your knowledge. For me. Dha and epa helped me tremendously. Quickly too! Low carb. Diet. Like a light switch! Thank you.

[@angelalarsen7637]

I am currently going through this. I suddenly started with a prolonged anxious feeling a few months ago. The multiple physicians I went to regarding this primary symptom said it was anxiety. It makes sense, an anxious feeling must be anxiety, but it was such a sudden onset of this symptom, I knew something was going on with my body. At this time, I declined anxiety meds, and I have started multiple things to calm my nervous system: somatic exercise, EMDR therapy, meditation, and changing my diet. I went to a dietician and she told me to reduce carbs and increase healthy fats. After playing around with coconut oil, I noticed that anxious symptom was starting to resolve. I would take the coconut oil and about an hour later, the anxious feeling was completely gone. It led me down the road of researching the benefits of ketones on the brain. I had no idea. I still experience symptoms, but I hope I am on the road to recovery.

[@onepunchflan3071]

That awesome Angela. Glad you found a way to feel better

[@sirobellino]

Less stimulants like caffeine, sleep quality and exercise is a must for controlling anxiety, besides taking care of diet. And if you want add more cognitive functioning then commit to an intermittent fasting protocol, like 18/6 or 20/4

[@cates_keto]

Great video!!! Please keep sharing your wonderful information. My two sons (16 and 14) were in a carb coma, ratty and unreasonable but I put them on keto and wow!!!!! Spots gone, anger gone, happy happy boys!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@JoeARedHawk275]

Keto is meant to be a treatment, unless your sons have epilepsy, they should not be on it their entire lives. There’s a reason why the Inuits developed a resistance into going into ketosis. Ketones also make your blood acidic. The lack of carbs also is harmful to the brain over several years. In reality, fasting, eating whole, preferably organic, foods along with exercise and good sleep would have also fixed all of your sons’ issues. I repeat, Keto is effective for maybe a few months or one or two years for those without epilepsy. After that, maybe every couple of years do it for a couple moments. However, it’s not meant to be chronic and forever for those without epilepsy

[@donnacharles7348]

@@JoeARedHawk275 that use to be the narrative PubMed indicates otherwise now.

[@jj21xxx]

Tell that to the multitude of people who have been eating a keto or carnivore diet for decades and are healthy and love it.

[@Lizbeth36961]

My son w17 and I can’t make him change 😢

[@azsunburns]

Another talk on this subject which brings tears to my eyes ❤ I have been waiting for years for this information to go mainstream. As someone raised by an obese mother with undiagnosed severe trauma & Lipedema, raised on that demonic food pyramid, seed oils, massive grain propaganda, I've seen what years of keto can do for physical & brain health. I could discuss my stories for hours. I could complain that society needs more educated people, yet educated by whom? The same entities which have lied about nutritional, psychological & medical health for 100 years??? Little do we understand our grandparent's diet affects our children. Little do we see how unbelievably addictive grain based diets can be. Little do we understand how decades of formula filled with high fructose corn syrup & chemically engineered seed oils have depleted our cells from proper fats & growth. Then give the kids cereal, pasta, lunchables, garbage after garbage. I've been keto low carb for over ten years. I never grew up with any psychological issues until dietary depleted depression kicked in after my pregnancies. I then raised 4 on the Autism spectrum... That alone, quite the battle. I've experienced medical marijuana induced psychosis. I've experienced horrible doctors pushing these obesity & psycho drugs. It's a hell hole out there. I'm still healing from the trauma experienced in my family due to covid lockdowns, a car accident, a psychosis, while being thrown into menopause & the full realization I too have Lipedema, as well as my daughter & granddaughter. What I've found to be the most helpful- A truly loving home - Quality supplements, which don't have to be expensive. Morning sun High quality keto / low carb foods Fasting a good 16 to 20 hrs a day Creatine & methylene blue light up my brain like espresso, very helpful. Essential aminos / grassfed collagen / gelatin in my organic decaf herbal / green teas & coffees. Swimming, walking, weight lifting, or even tennis, boxing or bowling for an hr on the old wiiu A world positive creative outlet Sleep is treated as a powerhouse & I take one day at a time. Thank you for speaking out so much on this topic. How we ended up here is just horrific.

[@metabolicmind]

Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us.

[@donnacharles7348]

Sounds like you have all the tools in your belt, 👍🏼. Sorry you still experience health challenges. Can I ask if you conceived while in ketosis? Meditation may further help you.

[@azsunburns]

@@donnacharles7348 no, all my kids are late 20s, early 30s. My diet back then was full of grains, not enough quality, over of quantity.

[@donnacharles7348]

@@azsunburns ah, happy you found healing truths. Best to you & your family.

[@ShipCreek]

May I suggest looking up autism and the benefits of red meat. If you haven't already.

[@slingshot8219]

Yes, I believe that the diet helps tremendously for me. I can only speak for myself. I used to suffer from anxiety, unexplained mood swing, and palpitations. Ever since I removed sugar, fruits, all starchy food, all those negative feelings are gone, Now I mostly eat fatty meat, cheese, I am so much calmer, clear mind and clear eye sight. No muscle and joints pain. Really, the food industry is killing us slowly and painfully. I will stick with lifestyle for life. It's my way to say no the food industry.

[@chintz7428]

I do well on the same type of diet. Cheese is amazing and I have calcium issues, so for that, it is the perfect food! We finally got chickens and grow our own potatoes. It is a lot of work, but it is worth it. I have been around 116-125 lbs for 6 years. I only have a little sugar in my coffee and sometimes eat some graham crackers or a kiwi, but that is about it. I never eat "dessert."

[@Padraigp]

God yeah. The only time I gave up sugar completely you could feel the effects so clearly after not having it for a while..now I do eat it occasionally but when you give up completely then you eat sugar literally your joints are in bits the next day.

[@aprilhassell1747]

Thank youbfor your comment. Ill try this...giving up fruit

[@Padraigp]

@aprilhassell1747 no point just giving up fruit if you dont also give up the other things. And not all fruit are the same some are not full of sugars.

[@aprilhassell1747]

@Padraigp i dont eat any other sugar, no pasta, no bread either that turns to sugar. Im also almost 4 months off adhd meds.Im in withdrawal I made the choice to stop cold turkey and that was a big mistake. I've tried 4 times now to come off. Its that hard stopped that perscription drug. Yes im because dependent and addicted in a different sense. So my brain always feels weird. Especially in the morning. So no carbs migjt nit be my answer. Im getting some natural ocurring carbd from greek yogurt and milk.

[@christinebrassard1200]

I tried keto which help me with all pshiatric symptoms like anxiety in a few days… the first few days I was suffering a lot.. but after I got much better with a clearer head and happy.

[@myrnaalexander2090]

As psychotherapist and nutritionist of 52 yrs, I find this info very helpful for myself and my clients!This is truly integrative healing! Thank you so much!

[@poolstudio3461]

What did he say about diet I've been listening for an hour and is this only for people with very serious mental illness?

[@Tails_of_Life]

@@poolstudio3461watch more of his podcast. He talks about minor issues like anxiety. He’s very open and transparent.

[@catherinelindsay.sculpts]

I have been so inspired about mitochondria, it’s many roles and functions. I am drawing diagrams based on what I'm learning. It is so important, I really want to understand the whole network. From another video - I love the analogy of the cell as the factory and the mitochondria as the factory workers, all working for the health of the cell and the system.

[@jessicasams7196]

Going from no hope and feeling like giving up to seeing your video and finally have hope 😭😭😭

[@NeseretBemient]

You are not alone. It's tough to live with unrelenting pain and suffering and to keep going. You are seeking answers and there are solutions. Indeed, there is HOPE. Keep going, for you are incredibly strong.

[@thecarnivoredveteran6982]

Dr. Palmer is my hero! Thank you for this!

[@lisagayhart2482]

Two of my favorite KZbin powerhouse speakers. Thank you both

[@pinkpeonyy]

My mental health has improved significantly since I started using metabolic strategies and cutting out everything synthetic from my diet and hygiene.

[@NeseretBemient]

I can say the same. It's an absolute miracle what's happened to me since starting keto as well as implementing other powerful holistic approaches.

[@catherinelindsay.sculpts]

I totally agree about targeting people who for one reason or another have no voice, to restore their mental health. In purely economic terms it would work for the greater good, let alone restoring a meaningful life to individuals. Thank you Dr Palmer.

[@NeseretBemient]

Beautifully and well said.

[@bradje12]

This message gives people a lot of hope.

[@NeseretBemient]

Indeed! Hope is what's needed in our world right now.

[@jmholthuysen]

This conversation resonates with my personal experience of naturally adopting a more ketogenic diet. 🙏

[@ceciliaferraro6360]

Thank you for bringing this gentlemen to the podcast.

[@clairebear1808]

This is excellent! I’m a perfect fit for this. I have gained a wealth of knowledge and am looking forward to feeling better. I have been sick for years so I’ve already attained a lot of knowledge first hand. This is precisely what I need now. I just had surgery x3 to fix pinched nerves and gained so much mobility! But everything points to your theory. Thx 🙏🏻

[@inspirationalkidneyhealthcoach]

I love this information on mitochondria health and apply some of it to resolving my own health issues. I also will review and share with my social media base. Keep up the awesome work. Your style is simple, ad so very easy to understand.. God bless you both

[@tenagnekifle4634]

you are one brave doctor to come out and say what you have to say, your soothing, and hope giving voice, they seem like that precious light at the end of the crazy tunnel of today's psychiatry ......thank you ..

[@dianederita2758]

Thank you so much for your research! Love this awareness. The energy, hope & promise for those who suffer! Prayers for all-peaceful minds and hearts.

[@brightchange6065]

He's the best. Groundbreaking .

[@MichaelBLive]

Dr Palmer's work is so important. Thank you for sharing this hopeful info!

[@NeseretBemient]

I LOVE Dr. Palmer. He's one of the most compassionate psychiatrists I've had the pleasure of listening to. And I've been around more than my share of psychiatrists in my time, working as a psychiatric, RN in the conventional system for over 17 years. His work brings HOPE to the downtrodden, he's a voice for the voiceless, a phenomenal advocate, and a true healed healer.

[@theevolveddietitian]

Thank you for a great podcast!❤

[@alexpina8902]

Superb!! Thank you for new frontiers of knowledge of the body 🙏

[@seancidy6008]

Everything he says makes so much sense.

[@carols4013]

EXCELLENT job on this video! Thank you.

[@fahmyalariky8099]

Totally agree about effect of ketogenic diet in improvement many patient kept partially treated for a year by medication .

[@marilynroper5739]

So good to see you both again!

[@yuliasoboleva8498]

It was very helpful. This is the best video talking about metachondria and health

[@suzikirby1973]

Wonderful talk. Thank you so much for this topic .❤️

[@lourdesclemente1143]

Thank you!

[@rajeshtanwar2445]

A fascinating discussion with Dr.Chris Palmer. Scientific and rational ❤🎉❤🎉

[@DS-oi4wl]

My daughter's mother is schizophrenic and has never been part of her life...she is "warehoused" on the streets somewhere. There are also two maternal half-brothers to my daughter -- one and two years younger and with the same adoptive parents. We have a relationship with them, and the parents and I all have the same worry about the so-called genetic component of schizophrenia and whether it appears later in any of the three teenagers. I am a carnivore now for about 12 weeks, and it is exciting that nutrition can play a role in mitigating this! Carnivore nutrition, for me, has been unbelievably beneficial, and Dr. Palmer's findings make me even more determined to get my daughter on board to change her eating habits. There is hope.

[@wattle2394]

My lovely auntie was schizophrenic and ate relatively well (but not keto, unfortunately) with a supportive family. She lived to 94 and had a wonderful husband who died just a few months before her. She had it tough, though. However, none of her 4 children or we cousins now all 50 plus have had any schizophrenia. There has been alcoholism, bowel cancer, an eating disorder or two, and other, but not schizophrenia. None of the grandkids, now in their 30s and 40s either. So I agree with Chris Palmer when he says it's NOT genetic. X

[@NeseretBemient]

Genetics often implicated in many physical and mental illnesses. However, epigenetics says there is so much we can do to mitigate and influence even our genes. It is not nature vs nurture, it is the interaction between both and our environment and how we treat these beautiful brains and bodies makes a difference. You're not only setting a good example for your daughter, but you'll be educating her on how to look after herself. That is one of the best things you can do for your children - be the change and love and teach them.

[@Paul-dorsetuk]

Brilliant. Good luck Chris!

[@johneubank8543]

Great vid! I bought Dr. Palmer's book for someone; when they're finished, I'll read it - if they don't finish soon - I'm stealing it!

[@mikeward9870]

~22m: Comprehensive lifestyle strategies: 1) (Mitochondrial) Healthy Diet, 2) Good Sleep, 3) Exercise and Movement ~23m Ketogenic Diet known positive effects on neurology, gut health, metabolic health, and mitochonrial health.

[@carolspencer6915]

Again thankyou. 💜

[@kyliehennessyyoga]

Great conversations. I think it is good to remember that this is new to fields such as psychiatry. Biochemists for example have understood the importance of mitochondria for a long time. Holistic systems of health such as Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda and naturopathy have understood the importance of lifestyle, sleep, movement and manual therapy, fasting, herbs and nutrition in healing illness and improving wellbeing. A holistic approach is needed to support our overall homeostasis. Reducing stressors and increasing wellbeing factors is always needed to heal and improve wellbeing and quality of life.

[@erwinrogers9470]

I'm with you👍

[@AaaaaBeeee]

Wow, this a all makes so much sense for me!

[@drkstatom]

Great interview!!!

[@reneekennedy38]

This makes so much sense

[@2Trees]

Excellent 👍👍👍 Highly recommend

[@ricardotumang2189]

Thank you Doctor Chris 🙏👍👏🧠

[@sharoncroker7416]

I saw a video by Georgia Eade some time ago who said the same thing about mental illness being related to what we eat. It is great to see this being taken further.

[@NeseretBemient]

Georgia Ede is a gem. I just went through her "Ketogenic Diet for Mental Health" clinician training program. She is a great teacher and a wonderful advocate for better treatment of mentally ill patients. She is also a Harvard-trained, board certified psychiatrist. An all around amazing human being.

[@patriciamartin6309]

This is so interesting . So many people need to hear this conversation and know that there is hope

[@NeseretBemient]

Agreed. We need more people clinicians, and clients alike to share their knowledge and stories.

[@reneekennedy38]

This gives me hope

[@djn1822]

I’m so glad we are trying to get the word out on this. To be totally honest, the resistance and skepticism we see in this wonderfully integrated approach is a function of reductionism and division oriented philosophy that has so plagued the medical profession which is largely powered by the business networks that operate the systems that govern medical practices. The fact that even the conceptual basis is met with dismissive attitudes amongst our colleagues, let alone approaching a patient more comprehensively in clinical care, is a stake right through the heart of advancing human health. I can envision that cognitive and pain systems also suffer from metabolic dysfunctions in signaling pathways and physiologic dysrregulation and will someday benefit from treating the metabolism of somatic and nervous systems.

[@NeseretBemient]

I love your statement, "wonderfully integrated approach", I call it holistic approach to mental health treatment. It is what is needed right now while the world is burning up. Mental health crisis is at an all-time high, and conventional system alone is no longer effective. The one size fit all approach can be incredibly damaging to so many people. Often people suffer needlessly for years and even decades, with conditions that could be resolved, if someone had taken the time to approach the situation with curiosity and compassion. Integrated means whole, it means to look at all perspectives, from all sided, it means to believe in a person's resilience, and the intelligence of the body and brain, it means to approach your work and patients with respect, dignity and humanity. It means to do no harm, and to do good.

[@ktrmeadow]

Fantastic interview.

[@TheWBWoman]

Thank you! Very interesting information.

[@Charlotte-tw6mc]

Reading your book now, great work Dr Chris

[@duckymr1]

Amazing!

[@erwinrogers9470]

Excellent episode🔥👏

[@sd5009]

Great video

[@dorisdobi7026]

Thank you so much for this no bull shit, actionable interview.

[@linda7279]

Check out that sprinting. Im 78 and am now sprinting, been on keto/carnivor. Brain fog gone and forgetfulness from c-ptsd greatly improved. I feel better after starting sprinting than I have felt in years. Im not saying Im good at it either, and I only sprint a little every other day. Looking and walking younger too 😂

[@ironmurs6903]

I don’t go long bouts in ketosis, but I fast 3 days every month (for 5+ yrs). It is very hard for me…but I keep returning to it primarily because of the mental reset it gives me.

[@CrustyLutheran]

God bless Chris and Brett, my mom passed away at 82 with type 2 diabetes and Lewy body dementia or frontotemporal dementia. The last eight years of her life were frustrating and complicated by intestinal resection for precancerous polyps which further exacerbated the dementia. She was a low-fat dieter throughout her life and ended up eating all the wrong things - seed oils, processed carbs, all the stuff that destroys brain and body. Wish she could have gotten this message sooner.

[@NeseretBemient]

I'm sorry to hear about your mom. Every moment we have with those we love is precious. I wish I had heard about this 20 years ago, because it would have saved me so much needless suffering. Timing matters a lot, because the longer we stay with inappropriate diet, the longer our brains and bodies pay the price of that mismanagement of energies and resources. It is good that this message is being spread to more people now. Thank you for sharing.

[@erwinrogers9470]

Great interview👍

[@nicoleautumn7742]

good questions

[@KetovoreKrystal]

Thank you for this inspiring & encouraging discussion & information. Definitely getting the book. Sharing this interview with family, friends & on my social media. So important to spread this information for the health & wellness for our society. Life changing hope. 💜⚕️🧠🙏

[@metabolicmind]

We are glad you enjoyed this discussion and thank you for sharing with your loved ones!

[@NeseretBemient]

I love your statement, "Life changing hope." Hope is life changing. So many people suffer needlessly for years and even decades with unrelenting mental and emotional anguish, before they learn that there is hope and things can change for them. It's a breath of fresh air to have someone like Bret, and Dr. Palmer having these discussions and making them available to everyone. It's love in action, it is true compassion, and desire to alleviate human suffering. This is what it means to serve and love our fellow human beings. Thank you for doing your part to spread the good news!

[@bh9262]

I agree!

[@gerardjordaan2969]

I love your work. I have Bipolar 1 and live in South Africa. I presented your book and the theory to my Dr. She shrugged it off and said I must just stick to my meds. My family is supportive but want me to stay on my meds unless a dr says I should stop my meds. I read your book but right now its not changing the mind of my dr. Ive been on keto now for 3 months and feel fine. Im on Lithium, Epilim and Olanzapine. The meds make it hard to wake up in mornings and sort of keep me numb to my emotions.

[@pikachu2003]

Cut the dosage, only one at a time and inform your family when you do it. Because you need people on the outside to be away if there is a change in behavior.

[@vanessac1965]

Just start with the diet. Cut all wheat, sugar and grains

[@laviniahealy6851]

Please if people give advice, be thorough. If u slowly, very slowly cut yr meds get someone else to keep an eye on you and help u if u are getting unwell. Be sure to find which fats work best for your brain. We are not all the same. There are some MCT oils specifically to help yr brain. If you have coconut fat keep an eye on yr tryglyceride levels not getting too high. If you have fish oil u must make sure it's healthy, many fish oils are full of toxins. Eat wild caught fish if u can, not fish from mass produced fish from farms where they're fed a toxic diet. Eat free range eggs, have heaps of leafy dark green veges and broccoli - chew your food well and exercise in healthy ways in healthy fresh air. Have zinc and magnesium and b complex vitamins. Get things right as much as you can so you don't get sick again. When you are better still keep doing the right things to help yourself.

[@jan_ellison_baszucki]

I wonder if your family be supportive of you finding a psychiatrist who would be more supportive of a med taper? We have a video on how to taper meds on keto in which my son shares his experience and advice. Maybe you could share that? He tapered 1400mg lithium in 3 months with no problems. Olanzapine has been harder but he successfully cut the dose from 5mg 5o 2.5mg and is going to begin tapering the rest soon. I am not familiar with Epilim. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mobckGSMjJxsbc0

[@NeseretBemient]

Traditional medical and psychiatric system relies heavily on medications. I think people are individually waking up and considering alternative and complimentary therapies/solutions. I'm sorry you're feeling the meds are sedating in the morning and you feel cut off from the range of your emotions. That's really tough because our emotions are inherent part of how we experience ourselves as human beings. I'm glad you are educating yourself about the ketogenic and rallying support around you. This part is essential, especially when you're on multiple meds. It is absolutely critical to surround yourself with a team of professionals, as well as family as you move forward. Medical monitoring is a must, especially in the beginning transition phase as well as while tapering off of meds. You'll need to go very slow and monitor extremely closely. Who else do you have for additional support besides your physician and family members? What are your short term and long term health outcome goals? When you say you feel "fine", what does that look like for you?

[@robyn3349]

Thank you, this is such a revolutionary way of looking at mental health. What is know about mitochondria and statin drugs?

[@raykinney9907]

Oh yes, this is a 'can of worms' question that caused me to take control of my own health education, because (as N of one anecdote) I was severely harmed by statins progressively over twenty years. My medical oversight team never suggested that it might be possible that my health declines could be because of adverse side effects of the drugs they were giving me. Finally, after years of asking them, yet not getting valid responses, I was forced to quit taking them as a 'last ditch' effort to personally clarify for myself! Ninety five percent of all of my pain and dysfunction cleared up in two months. This opened my eyes to the essential existential need for me to take responsibility for learning as much of the medical research literature as I possibly can to inform my paths forward. I had already had enough education to be able to fairly readily read the literature on the toxicology of the toxic metal lead. I became a driving effort to expand reading of science of mitochondria dysfunction causation. This work Chris Palmer (and others) is doing to rally the troops toward better paths forward for the medical paradigm is essential IMHO.

[@raykinney9907]

Thank you! A breath of fresh air, toward more research and scientific integrity for helping humanity understand mitochondrial dysfunction at mechanistic levels, rather than the current medical paradigm of (lamentably) symptom abatement 'profit at any cost' economic perversion. Sad to say! But, as to next steps to consider, I would hope to encourage reviewing the scientific literature base4 for the averse toxicologic effects of body burden mobilization of bone lead (for mitochondria-harming effects). We all have accumulated, commonly 100 to 1000 times that found in paleo bones. Stresses on the body: old age, illness, and pregnancy need sudden availability of calcium, and bone Ca is utilized, Pb comes out with it, to once again circulate in soft tissue including brain. Lead harms function of many metabolic mechanisms (eg. per oxidative damage to membranes including BBB, reductions of glutathione of up to 60% reportedly). Less glutathione in mitochondria could reduce excess ROS clearance, ultimately reducing ATP production efficiency. IMHO

[@erwinrogers9470]

Love it🔥👏

[@juvenalbranco2411]

Excelente. Gratidão a ambos por tão esclarecimento temática complexa.

[@booboobumbum6602]

For me and my depression, it wasn't - after do a few different things (for a year) all the emotions stored in my body was ejected out of my theough my heart chakra. (Painfully) - my birth mark disappeared and my depression and plaguing suicidal thoughts disappeared aswell. Over night

[@katanaki3059]

I have had chronic depression and obsessive suicidal thoughts since puberty. I have naturally tended to prefer a protein and vegetable diet and avoid carbs when I don’t have spaghetti cravings. Alcohol is the main scourge. It’s not all diet in my opinion. Some folks are just psychologically damaged. Exercise, meditation, and a diet without processed food and sugar is the key to survival for me

[@trinafalco6785]

Has anyone used keto for MS? Thank you all for sharing all this information ❤

[@noemifitzpatrick6039]

I thought about this pathology & theory with methodology of the cells in the brain…❤❤❤❤❤

[@johnford9455]

A question for Dr. Palmer... I use Trazadone and Quetiapine for sleep. Do these medication interfere with mitochondrial health?

[@jan_ellison_baszucki]

I have heard Dr. Palmer suggest that antipsychotics and benzos can harm mitochondria over time.

[@tacmason]

A good time to focus on lifestyle requirements - before A.I. makes it mandatory !

[@ClayRosco]

Eating healthy and always doing exercise will definitely help improving your mental health. I'm also doing meditation every morning just to ready myself. For supplements, I'm taking Dihexa or Bromantane from swisschems as they really boost my mental endurance, helps me focus and improve my concentration.

[@ianstuart5660]

What about Tai Chi?

[@NeseretBemient]

Silence, solitude, meditation, journaling, Yoga, walking, reading, coloring - so many beautiful and meditative practices. Any activity you do mindfully, with your total focus, and being present is a meditation. It's a gift.

[@Dani-jo9yr]

Bravooooo🎉So correct 👍

[@CashMoneyMoore]

Hoping we can get some rcts with mitochondrial aids at the same time we are getting data on keto + lifestyle

[@agd163]

❤GOD loves this performance ❤

[@FireSonic102]

It do be the powerhouse of the cell

[@raginald7mars408]

… as a German Biologist, Biochemist Ph D - I almost self destroyed with Over Load and neglect In our hyper super human Techno Sphere… - Like a Miracle… I joined a local Fitness Studio - Like a Miracle …. There were amazing wonderful persons Doing intense Endurance Training So - without any intention and thought, as a physiological wreck I started long distance Running, Marathlon, Tri Athlon Lost 20 kg FAT And felt like a meta Morphosis New borne It takes intense Endurance training to restart Physiology And STOP all Toxxic thought and Life Style STOP and Restart… STOP and Restart Like a Tumor Cell - we lost the STOP Signal

[@gemmafredeluces321]

Listen clinicians! Open up your mind….it’s time!

[@NeseretBemient]

AMEN!!!

[@briserenity]

I am wonder if I always had these underlying issues that were bound to come out or if having kids triggered something in me. I feel I was fine until having children. 🧐Diagnosed with bipolar, OCD and a laundry list of issues IBS, TMJ, insomnia, brain fog, joint pain etc etc at 29 yo 😞

[@NeseretBemient]

I've heard that it takes our bodies anywhere from 3-7 years after having children to regain our hormonal balance. The biggest mistake I have ever made was getting on birth control pills after I had my daughter. I was on the pill for over a decade and then I was diagnosed with multiple conditions by the time I was 30 years old, including hypothyroidism and antidepressant induced bipolar disorder and treated with multiple psych meds. It was the beginning of a nightmare. I'm happy to report, today I followed a holistic approach over a 7 year period, including ketogenic diet and have reversed these conditions, including putting the bipolar disorder in remission. I share about my journey on my own channel. There is not one thing that triggers mental health concerns, but multiple factors that interact with each other. Human beings are so complex and the factors that impact our mental health have many layers and are diverse. How long have you been experiencing and living with these conditions? Have you received any support? Has anything helped to relieve your symptoms?

[@jjpauline1828]

some that have similar symptoms like you mention often have Lyme, heavy metal toxicity or even mold. It's a must to heal your gut that is most important!

[@LUV733]

Can you please say something about the effectiveness of methylene blue in more detail please? Oh, you've just mentioned it! Thank you!

[@marjoriehamlin6204]

Thanks for speaking the truth of Mental Health concerning Long wait list to see a Doctor Insurance co. Want 48 notice when in crisis Otherwise want pay for treatment Brother locked up 30 yrs for Mental Health Son locked up for DUI & Drugs Yet all test came back negative including hair test Then dragged through courts for a year before being dismissed $5,000 a day for treatment $40,000 yrs to lock up

[@marzymarrz5172]

I only recently heard, on you tube, that as we age the brain does not efficiently use glucose for energy, that the aging brain prefers fat. This is huge if you are an old person who worries about their brain and worry is just anxiety that does not help anything. What does help is that tablespoon of coconut oil and ketogenic diet. And this I heard on you tube. Not from my doctor. This is a big deal. Yes there’s a lot of dreck on this medium but once in a while there is pure gold.

[@raykinney9907]

Yes, apparently, given significant recent research, sugar intake levels commonly (est. about 80% of people) drive increases in pancreas having to increase insulin beyond 'normal levels' that our hunter gatherer evolutionary adaptations metabolically support well. When elevated blood glucose spikes cannot be lowered by insulin levels, muscles and brain tissue can resist the pressure to have glucose rise to toxic levels in cells and mitochondria by reducing mechanisms of transport into the cells through membrane pores. Numbers of pores are defensively reduced. This is a danger, because it limits the quick ability of the cells to have enough glucose come in at times of sudden need for more. Lack of enough glucose fuel reduces ability to produce ATP, and the body cannot function with reduced energy available, the brain tissues need rationing of the ATP leaving some tissues very short changed and more dysfunctional. This can lead to differential diagnoses of brain disease types. Root causes are the elevated blood glucose extended pressures from consumption of too much sugar, plus other toxicants exposing the mitochondria creating dysfunction of ATP to allocate to tissues. IMHO Yes, excess nutrient becomes stores as fat in different tissues, but when stored in liver tissue, this can reduce liver function, a big problem. This is a beautifully designed fat system for allowing for survival during long hard winters, but now we never have such difficulty because of constant food supplies in every corner market and fast food outlet. Now, we are forced to personally regulate sugar intake levels, that in paleo times was done effectively without even needing to think about it beyond hunger and satiety levels being much more automatic seasonally. Sugar was only available in whole fruit, and only in one season in most latitudes.

[@Paulanilsmei89]

I tried keto diet by myself: I saw improvement in one month but I was afraid to keep doing it without a doctor following up... I think about it every day to do it again but the doctors here in Canada aren't open to new searches, just my psychiatrist. They are resistant to requiring blood work. Very sad.

[@sasidharanc7632]

IN Automobile engines and Aeroplane engines we use different octane number petrol for energy production, as the same way,..... Is there any difference in ATP production in mitrochondria, Qualitywise, in different organs of human cells?

[@RG-yz8ov]

thoughts on cfs mitochondria supplements c60oo, piracetam, mitoq, and urolithin A

[@dmere123ify]

The idea of psychosomatic illness is well established and convenient when medical diagnostic tools are lacking. Somatic-psycho illness needs more attention.

[@ljswinney3025]

High blood sugar is also linked to this problem I started having anxiety attack in my early twenties and I think that's when you're bad diet starts to show up from your earlier years especially if you didn't grow up with a good diet but really I always felt bad when I was a child I didn't know what was going on I just struggled because you are having blood sugar spikes but eventually you're doctor will end up saying it's mental illness and those meds makes things worse it's really legal poison there are so many doctors lost on this I know this doctor is right I didn't know keto can solve this problem I'm starting keto admittedly because as soon as I eat I instantly feel bad because my meal is not keto I'm tuned in with this thanks I see things full circle this doctor is on target 👍

[@NeseretBemient]

Inappropriate diet will catch up to you at some point. My problems started in my 20's as well and looking back, I can connect the dots. I have sugar, gluten, and dairy sensitivity (lactose intolerance). However, I ate all of those things growing up and I think it finally caught up with me. I was struggling with my cycle, had mood issues, anxiety for sure and depression. I really struggled with this for awhile. Then I got on birth control pills and that was fuel to the fire. It made things a lot worse. Since implementing ketogenic diet, I feel so much better and my quality of life is improved tremendously. I'm grateful for this information.

[@sasidharanc7632]

How better communication between mitrochonrial dna and nucleic dna can help to improve brain energy.

[@volt10megatrendindiaofficial]

i have seen many brain related problems improving with 5-7 Dimethoxyflavone, kaempferia parviflora extracts. working wonder on mitochondrial health..

[@ritazita1111]

Would raising one's nitric oxide levels once or twice a day be a significant benefit to mitochondria health?

[@brooksbarton-ne9sm]

I pray Dr Palmer or one of the other doctors respond to this. Can I do keto while at the same time having low thyroid function. Most doctors say that the thyroid needs carbs to operate properly. I have severe anxiety and depression and fatigue but this started before my thyroid issue. I am not converting T4 to T3. Thank you.

[@metabolicmind]

I think experts could have different views answers to this question. But the key for anyone is working with an experienced professional who can help guide them safely through starting ketosis. There are a. number of directories you can try www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory www.dietdoctor.com/new-and-improved-find-a-doctor-pagethesmhp.org/directory/ Hope that helps!

[@ififallithurtslea4170]

How can I contact Chris Palmer directly?

[@metabolicmind]

brainenergy.com

[@jayachandranthampi4807]

Good direction back to Wisdom based than merely Evidence based (limited by Evidence as well). Like mitochondria, Heart seems to the large group commander. It's where things are United - It's rate & variability through various / multiple underground beats, it might be directing the final direction in managing organs. So, in a way, internal body functions along with microbiome may need to be considered the primary Epigenetics as they are most immediate Environment. So Genes interact first with them & Get feedback. They could be then influenced by external Environment like food, exercise, "Regularity" etc. However, Genetics are quantified, unlike random Environment factors. So, sometimes, allowing certain determined genetic expression in a controlled & slowed down manner is Wise - than developing conflict Within, especially while dealing with such refined / fine expression as they are there to "Show" & "Direct" living. A total sanitation proposal like an Army Action, to a more constitutional purpose like police Action might be Reformative. Its like a Different view of Disease, dislocated Ease. What if a disease is Friend who is opposing the Ease to direct person to approach living in a different way.