Dr. Matthew Phillips - 'Neurodegenerative Disorders as Metabolic Icebergs'

Dr. Matthew Phillips is a full-time clinical and research neurologist at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton, New Zealand. His foremost passion is to explore the potential feasibility, safety, and efficacy of metabolic therapies, particularly fasting and ketogenic diets, in creating alternate metabolic states that enhance neuron bioenergetics and may lead to improvements in not only the symptoms, but also function and quality of life, for people with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and a variety of additional neurological disorders.
Upon completing his Neurology training in Melbourne, Dr. Phillips realised that he had no interest in going the usual route of further specialising in a particular neurological disorder. He wanted to specialise in a therapy, but no such fellowship existed. Thus, he bought a one-way ticket to the other side of the world and departed the medical system, travelling and working in different places for three years, creating his own self-taught fellowship during which he learned about a variety of therapeutic possibilities that he had never previously considered.
Upon completing his 3-year “fellowship” it dawned on him that metabolic strategies, particularly fasting and ketogenic diets, were promising therapeutic options for a range of disorders. He re-entered the medical system by commencing work as a neurologist in New Zealand, where his colleagues have helped him to apply these strategies to a number of humanity’s most difficult neurological disorders so as to determine whether they are feasible, safe, and can make an impact in terms of helping patients. This has resulted in his team conducting a world-first randomised controlled study of a ketogenic diet in Parkinson’s.
The Canadian-born, Australian-trained neurologist ultimately wishes to help create a new field of Metabolic Neurology that emphasises applying metabolic strategies in healthcare so as to potentially heal many difficult disorders at their core, with the overarching goal being the improved health and enhanced nobility of humanity.
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[@pranavanyoganathan8046]

Underrated individual. Doesn’t polarise, speaks absolute truth. I love his work

[@forester057]

I’d argue that Truth unadulterated always polarizes.

[@youn8e]

​@@forester057 Intention is everything ‼️

[@drmclphillips]

Thank you Pran, I reflect your words back at you. Very best, Matt.

I'm not saying he is wrong, I'm saying you're on a biased channel, just be aware of that!

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

I hope the world wakes up soon to enable all to realise there is so much we can do to help ourselves. The corruption runs so deep.

[@siobhancleary3018]

Thank you

[@youn8e]

Especially when there's big 🤑🤑🤑 behind the CANCELLATION OF 🐄 🥩🐄🥩🐄🥩‼️

[@peggycearnach8034]

Thank you for all your hard work Dr Phillips ❤

[@martinbecklen6486]

One of the most elucidating lectures on the impacts on neurological 'diseases' of diet and activity and environmental stresses I've ever heard/seen on KZbin. Absolutely phenomenal information!!! Also a terrific complement to the teachings of Dr. Sean O'Mara and others. I especially appreciate the concept of 'oscillation' of moderate stressors with adequate 'recovery' protocols. Just phenomenal information. Best wishes for continued success of your efforts, Dr. Phillips, and thank you for a great presentation.

[@seattlesix9953]

…study still under review but the patient is still maintaining the diet 👏🏻

[@nyckolaus]

Thank you, Dr. Phillips!

[@debramoore1428]

Just a country woman here but I hope "It's a Phillips Iceberg" comes to the medical lexicon world. BRILLIANT! I'll never unsee the iceberg!

[@scrappyquilter102]

Don't stop ! Go.Go.Go! Thank you so much!

[@ygillham]

Brilliant. Thank you so much for this talk.

[@phdaycare]

Thank you for this Dr. Phillips!! Great info.

[@dra.elbagonzalezperez433]

Impressive Dr. Phillips! Reading the description about you and the Metabolic neurology😮. I am sure we will here more about you in the near future. 😊Congrats.

[@dra.elbagonzalezperez433]

Correction: we will hear more about you…😊

[@marilynroper5739]

Great talk ~ watching from Canada.

[@fractalbeans9513]

I wish I could put thousands of thumb-ups! Very interesting presentation, thank you! Is it possible to read more about the parameters of the modified ketogenic diets used in this study?

[@kdbfsu]

I, too, I'm interested in that information!

[@rowdyposs]

Look up the research publications in the footnotes of his slides. The “Low-fat versus ketogenic diet in Parkinson’s Disease” pilot study has the method in detail and information like “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.”

[@rowdyposs]

You can even download the meal plan and recipes.

[@debramccawley1714]

I've been searching for answers on this very issue. Thanks! 🎉😊

[@michaeloconnor9465]

Watch videos of Daphe Byran on KZbin and high does B1. The best B1 to use is TTFD. It is expensive £70 for 120 capsules 100mg. It passes into the brain easily where other forms of B1 don't. I take 200mg a day and I do a keto diet. I have Parkinsons and it has changed my life. EON nutrients is a good video. B1 the art of mega dosing lecture 1. Explains all about B1 and how it works in the cells and how it helps the mitochondria work again. If you look up Antonio Costantini you will find short videos of parkinson patients treated with B1. The videos are not un order but each patient has a number and it is easy to put the videos together and watch them in the right order.

[@lynnekendall7562]

Terrifying 😢 Thank you so much for your research and bringing this research to ‘ordinary’ folk.

[@johnmadany9829]

Thank you for your work! I have used your study in the treatment of Parkinson's with dramatic improvements. Thanks for such a clear way to think about our metabolic work.

[@eugeniebreida1583]

Clinical med & research so silo’d by now, we can’t (refuse to) see the enormous forest for the trees.

[@jobrown8146]

Thank you.

[@Dionysus_Athena]

What annoys me is no one is doing research on fibromyalgia. I’ve been treating myself with what logically makes sense. I’ll say this I will be the first person in the world to win a bodybuilding IFBB pro card and a strong man comp. I’m tired of people letting me down that includes Doctors.

[@drmclphillips]

Hi! Sorry to hear you were let down. I wanted to focus on neurodegenerative disorders in this talk, so I did not include fibromyalgia which is a different sort of thing (and to be honest, as a neurologist I do not see it very much). But I think metabolic strategies like fasting and keto can definitely help some people with this one, so worth a try. Best wishes, Matt.

[@Paul-dorsetuk]

Wow. Most interesting health talk I've ever seen. Thank you!

[@marjon888]

Great stuff Matt. Thanks

[@s.schattenprophet]

Superb.

[@joannekerr8839]

Absolutely fabulous talk - thank you so much.

[@biodivers5294]

Thanks for this talk. This concept makes a lot of sense in my opinion, and gives better chances than the symptom-approach.

[@rebekahwhiunui8669]

Fascinating! I wish more people would take an interest in brain health. So important!

[@joeclifford4953]

Fabulous perspective

[@kikiflynn]

Excellent! Many thanks.

[@carolineknupffer2247]

Fascinating speech! Motivates me so much working on keeping my Hb1Ac low! Thanks

[@neocount6397]

It may be that causing and treating these disorders is quite profitable. The "foods" that cause metabolic disfunction are also delicious. Getting people to exercise and cut carbs may be a pipe dream. At least those who are curious can now see through the fog.

[@EyesOnCarnivore]

Excellent, thank you

[@ProcrastPerfection]

This was a well composed speech. I’d love to hear even more on this topic.

[@ketolomics]

I feel as though the metaphorical ambiguities get in the way. Iceberg? Mitochondrial challenge? Lifestyle? I love his published work. His writing is clear and succinct. "We tried a keto diet with [these results]. Then we tried keto and time restricted feeding (TRF) with [these results]. Then we tried keto, TRF, and 72hr fasting once per month, with [these results]. "The results suggest that keto, in line with many other human trials, improves mitochondrial number and function. It also appears to improve clinical and functional features of these neurodegenerative diseases. "Whether it is the mitochondrial transcription rate, cellular autophagy rate, the absence of dietary hyperglycemia induced insulin signaling, epigenetically enhanced radical scavenging, reduced radical production, or all of these together or something else we haven't yet measured that is supported simultaneously with all of these things, the fact is, the results are very promising and in need of further funding for larger scale studies." Or something like that. Head on.

[@drmclphillips]

Thanks a lot! I thought the metaphors were helpful for some people, but admittedly, maybe not for others. My sincere thanks for your other comments. Very best, Matt.

[@BaroqueViolin]

Very interesting! Thank you!

[@karenohanlon4183]

Thank you for a great talk very helpful I am trying to fast to helpmy mitochondria. I don't sleep well. And melatonin ain't working and sleeping meds were reduced. I need to go keto again.

[@nootri]

are you taking pure melatonin under the tongue? how much?

[@polderfischer8565]

Thanks!

[@sdjohnston67]

Awesome stuff.

[@siobhancleary3018]

Brilliant thank you

[@jessrx1]

Excellent presentation. I would like to see data about reducing dosage of pharmacological treatment with diet intervention. We max out dose early sometimes- especially PD and have very few options. Can we delay meds or delay increase in dose? Thank you for sharing your work!

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

When do new videos get uploaded in terms of timezones?

[@stingaw4142]

Excellent informative presentation. I have a family history of mitochondrial disorder MELAS. Does what you talk about fit into this category or is it different again. It seems to me that mitochondrial disorder encompasses all 6 levels from what I know. Dr Phillips can you answer this question

[@oifunlee8111]

Could you talk about Spinocerebellar ataxia please.

[@drmclphillips]

Hi! Great point I did not mention the SCAs at all. The reason is I wanted to focus on the most common neurodegenerative disorders so I had to pick a few. :) But the concepts should, I think, also apply to the SCAs despite their heavy genetic component. These are just much rarer so I have yet to put anyone with a SCA on a metabolic therapy program, but maybe one day! Cheers, Matt.

[@johneubank8543]

Great, but I fear your strong focus on pollution and heavy metals is misleading. I'm sure they're important, but aren't they far, far less important than diet? I would bet that all people with these disorders have strong dietary problems - i.e. they eat a SAD diet (or I would bet an overwhelming majority of them do). But I would also bet that many of them have much less lead or mercury in their bodies than others - i.e. lots of variability in heavy metals in them. I would also bet that some live in cities with more air pollution, while some live in the country with much less. And so on. You didn't propose chelation as a therapy - you did use keto, and it worked. If heavy metal toxicity really is a strong causative agent, why wouldn't you try chelation? Sure, there are side effects to chelation. If done wrong, it can be very dangerous. Same with chemo re cancer. Well, if there's an answer, I'd love to know. Are you conflating your feelings about pollution and heavy metal toxins with the true cause of these disorders? I can't read your mind. But I strongly worry that the amount of time you spent emphasizing heavy metals and pollution is a distraction that could hurt your message. You focused exclusively on diet modification in the "what do we do" part of your talk. I don't mean to sound harsh. I'm encouraged by your talk. I think you're a good person doing good, important work, and you're very brave to take on the "system" in this way - and actually fight for meaningful improvements for the millions who suffer these horrible disorders. I'm just offering what I hope will be taken as constructive comments aimed at improving your outcomes. That's all. Good luck!

[@prunelle19]

I do agree, it appears that the switch to a keto diet is the most powerful intervention (and the easiest !). Talking about air pollution and toxins is a distraction. I have a family member who is having neurological motor issues. He lived in a low pollution area and has always been very careful about eating a "healthy" balanced diet, as recommended by the guidelines, low in saturated fat and plenty of fruits and vegetables, been very careful to buy only organic foods. I tried to suggest a keto diet but he doesn't want to hear about it because he is convinced that he eats in very healthy way approved by his doctor This breaks my heart

[@amandajane8227]

Parkinsons is closely linked with chemical pollution , many workers are exposed to chemicals that have the potential to lead to parkinsons years later. Not all people work in healthy environments.

[@drmclphillips]

Thanks! Good points all. I tried to emphasize both toxin exposure and dietary lifestyle in a balanced manner...but if I was pressed, I agree with you that dietary lifestyle is the much greater problem. Since I work on the latter rather than chelation therapy, as you say this is pretty clear. I just wanted to try and point out a few other things that could damage mitochondrial biology in this talk, even though I reckon the modern dietary lifestyle is number one. Thanks again, Matt.

[@patriciatilden3720]

❤

[@Lieve98]

I was ''treated'' as a child with lupron (gnrh agonist) the side effects i had(and still have) are the same as lots of the disease mentioned. Maybe it has something to do with each other?

[@keitymarley733]

Parkinson disease is a very terrible illness, my Dad suffered from it for 19 years until we finally got a help and a medicine that truly works that helped treat, cure and reversed all his symptoms... My Dad is completely okay and healthy now...

[@Vova3iLvova]

please fix the cracking throughout the video, great presentation

[@moulindebenin]

Need to look into Mercury from fish and pesticides from fruit and veg. i.e quantify the risk factors from foods he is advocating as part of keto/LCHF etc

[@drmclphillips]

Hello! You are right, this is definitely an issue. Sometimes hard to tease out what is toxin-related and what is diet-related. Sincerely, Matt.

[@starius1154]

Fasting as a recovery period for mitohormesis makes sense, but it doesn't feel like recovery! lol

[@Jimfrenchde]

Does anyone out there think that this low carb, environmental intervention could work for Stiff Person Syndrome or Charcot-Marie-Tooth diseas?

[@itzakpoelzig330]

I think so. Give it a try!

[@Debbie-jz6ef]

I would try carnivore diet.

[@tinfoilhatscholar]

...the terrain is everything."

[@user-sz5qr4sy1v]

What about Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis?

[@drmclphillips]

Hi! Great point I did not mention HSP at all. The reason is I wanted to focus on the most common neurodegenerative disorders so I had to pick a few, but the concepts should, I think, also apply to HSP despite its heavy genetic component. HSP is just rarer so I have yet to put anyone with it on a metabolic therapy program. Take care, Matt.

[@jillengland3277]

And MS is non specific?

[@drmclphillips]

Hello! MS is more inflammatory than neurodegenerative (even though it is both) and I wanted to focus more on the disorders that are mainly neurodegenerative. But the concepts should apply to MS as well. Thank you, Matt.

[@blustar1856]

Why is MS not included???

[@drmclphillips]

Hi! You are right, MS has a neurodegenerative component, which gets more as the disorder progresses. However, MS is mainly an inflammatory disorder, and I wanted to focus on the disorders that are largely neurodegenerative and have a lesser inflammatory component (AD, PD, ALS, HD). The concepts in the talk would also apply to MS I think! Hope that make sense. Best regards, Matt.

[@AnavonRebeur]

Keto keto keto ❤❤❤

[@kajusbajus]

Agree with almost everything, but why include coffee?

[@marilynroper5739]

Coffee is an excellent source of ascorbic acid, for one reason.

[@drmclphillips]

Hi, good point! People who drink caffeinated coffee get significantly less Alzheimer's and Parkinson's later on. This does not mean the coffee is causally associated with protection, but it may be, and at the least it is not doing harm in terms of neurodegenerative disorders. So I allow it on the fasts in limited amounts. Kind regards, Matt.

[@HaHaroni]

The iceberg in the room, seed oil. Not a word. All the mitochondrial damage and not a word.

[@drmclphillips]

Hi! Thank you. You are right, I barely mentioned seed oils, which can damage mitochondria, but the reason is that the entire lecture before mine, by Dr Chris Knobbe, was 100% dedicated to seed oils. :) So I thought it would be mundane to repeat his information. I am not sure if his talk is up yet but keep an eye on LCDU as I bet it will be up soon if not already. Very best, Matt.

[@tallcedars2310]

What they need to do is find what is causing this, to stop damaging of the body.

[@hikari8858]

I think the answer is the diet. The awful stuff most people eat and drink. People need to stop consuming garbage.

[@ghostofrt2549]

He just told you.

[@user-qh7tz1hu2q]

Piers Morgan?

[@kayallen7603]

So, be nice to your mitochondria.

[@drmclphillips]

That's the best synopsis of any of my talks I have ever heard. :) Thank you, Matt.

[@jujumaccas]

People are living longer, plus many have had the jab….

[@adelarsen9776]

Mitochondrial biology and not mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitohormesis. Got it.

[@drmclphillips]

Hi, a very good summary. :) Thank you, Matt.

[@tzszychulski]

I’m sorry but have I been pronouncing skeletal wrong this whole time

[@drmclphillips]

Hi! Probably not, it's probably me pronouncing it wrong - I occasionally mispronounce words. Trust your own! Matt.

[@michaeloconnor9465]

He is only looking at part of it with keto. He is ignoring B1 therapy.

[@drmclphillips]

Hi Michael, thank you. I see B1 (and any other vitamin( as an instrument in the mitochondrial orchestra, but yes I do focus on the whole thing. Ketogenic diets are another instrument (maybe an instrument section) that are mainly special for their ability to enhance the health of mitochondria. We definitely need B1 as well, so I advocate both, but I think we can do a lot more good for people by getting the fasting and keto diets going as the current dietary lifestyle is so different from this. Hence my focus. I may be wrong and no worries if we disagree. :) Very best, Matt.

[@tonybennett638]

Bit of a think from 2013 ... probably too late for the massive population..shit sorry 🤪

[@kronos77]

Of course the numbers of disorders are higher now. There are more people now! Is that so difficult? And besides, inpast centuries we didnt keep records like we do now.

[@itzakpoelzig330]

Don't worry, scientists are aware of both of those factors and take them into account when designing studies or reporting findings.

[@davebboggs2000]

More people that are victims of SAD and the denial enabled by big pharma... all in the patterns man😉

[@nootri]

is this a twist on the people used to live to 35 years old and die anyway?🤯 You know, scientists claiming that now that we get to 80 we need to end up with Alzheimers? They weren't accounting for infant deaths skewing avarage lifespans when coming up with all that non-sense.

[@marilynroper5739]

True, but younger people are being affected- which is the worrying problem🙁

[@Norman_Gunstan1]

❤