Mildred was a woman who was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was 17 years old. She had daily hallucinations and delusions. For decades she tried mood stabilizing medications and antipsychotic drugs, but they did not stop her symptoms. She had multiple caregivers who would come into her home everyday to help take care of her. Over the decades she gained a lot of weight. She was absolutely miserable. 

Between the ages of 68 and 70 she attempted suicide at least six times and was hospitalized for those suicide attempts. At the age of 70, Mildred was referred to Duke University where Dr Eric Westman helped her lose weight with a ketogenic diet. Within a couple of weeks on the diet, she started to lose weight and shockingly, her hallucinations completely went away. Within a few months all of her symptoms is schizophrenia were gone. 

Within a few more months she was off of all of her psychiatric medications and has remained in remission for 15 years, symptom-free, medication free, no more psychiatric hospitals, and no more suicide attempts. She reclaimed an entirely new life and actually reported that she was really happy. 

Mental illness is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. I have several friends and family members with mental illnesses. In fact, my long time best friend, who suffered from manic depressive disorder (bi-polar disorder) committed suicide when we were in our late forties. Her daughter was best friends with my daughter. Our families had known each other since our kids were in kindergarten. The suicide was utterly shattering to myself, our families and of course our young teenage daughters. 

Anyone who is affected by mental illness could learn a great deal from the recent groundbreaking new book written by Dr. Chris Palmer called Brain Energy. I can’t recommend this book enough for anyone who wants to better understand how nutrition plays a role in brain function and how brain function is impacted by metabolic function. This book is also available on Audible.

Along with many doctors such as Dr. Palmer and Dr. Georgia Ede, who are recommending dietary changes for their mentally ill patients, Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride has been talking about this same idea for decades. In her book, GAPS: Gut and Psychology, Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, Dyspraxia, A.D.D., Dyslexia, A.D.H.D., Depression, & Schizophrenia, she connects the dots between brain function, metabolic function and the gut microbiome. She has helped thousands of people reverse their mental and emotional symptoms by making dietary changes. I was so impressed with Dr. Natasha’s work, after my daughter cured her debilitating gastritis and depression, that I became a certified GAPS™ practitioner 6 years ago. I am passionate about the gut-brain connection and helping people restore their microbiome and metabolic function. 

There is hope for you if you have a mental illness. The combination of medications and lifestyle and dietary practices can make a world of difference for so many people! 

We know that ketones affect the brain and metabolism in a very profound way. When applied to mental illness, the changes can be life changing and most importantly, nutritional therapies offer hope to those who may think they have tried everything and nothing has helped. 

The videos below feature some of my absolute favorite doctors who are all discussing nutrition and mental health. 

It is no longer acceptable to separate the brain (and the emotions) from the body and simply treat symptoms with medications, which very often do not make people better. Some people spend years trying different medications only to give up entirely. 

What if nutrition plays a much for important role in regulating moods and promoting mental health than doctors once believed? The future of nutrition and the role of the ketogenic diet in the treatment of mental illness may very well hold hope for millions of people who have no hope.