Degrees of Health

What If Depression Is Actually a Brain Energy Problem? | Drew Decker

What if depression is partly a metabolic problem? In this episode, Ben sits down with researcher Drew Decker from Dr. Jeff Volek’s lab to explore groundbreaking new research on the ketogenic diet and mental health. Drew shares the results of a pilot study investigating the effects of nutritional ketosis on individuals suffering from major depressive disorder — with participants seeing an average 70% improvement in depression scores. The conversation dives into: * The connection between metabolism and mental health * Why ketones may act as an alternative fuel source for the brain * Brain energy, mitochondrial health & BDNF * Why ketogenic diets may improve mood, cognition & resilience * The feasibility of keto in real-world college students * The role of ketosis in anxiety, depression & PTSD research * Exogenous ketones vs nutritional ketosis * Why metabolic psychiatry could transform mental health treatment Drew also shares his personal story of overcoming migraines and mental health struggles following a traumatic brain injury — and how ketogenic nutrition changed the trajectory of his life and career. This is a fascinating conversation at the intersection of neuroscience, nutrition, and mental health. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit from the conversation. Follow Drew: Instagram: @drew_d_decker Volek Lab: lowcarb.osu.edu Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Drew’s personal story & ketogenic diets 03:40 The mental health crisis 05:29 Brain energy & depression 06:06 The study hypothesis 10:58 Key study results 14:25 Ketogenic diets & accessibility 19:22 What defines a ketogenic diet? 23:44 The future of metabolic psychiatry 30:54 PTSD & future research #Keto #MentalHealth #Depression #KetogenicDiet #MetabolicPsychiatry #Nutrition #Ketosis #Neuroscience #brainhealth Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, lifestyle, or medical treatment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this link [https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn] Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDpVgBgbtgoNBz3sRQauH5w] Instagram  @degreesofhealth [https://www.instagram.com/degrees_of_health/] Disclaimer [https://www.canva.com/design/DAF6uea0cwE/S6IFQR7g0IoRiQiRkAIDyA/view?utm_content=DAF6uea0cwE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Rethinking Modern Medicine: Metabolic Health and Why Calories Don’t Work | Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota

Why is modern medicine so slow to adapt to new science? In this episode, we sit down with physician and physiologist Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota to challenge some of the most deeply entrenched dogmas in healthcare and nutrition. Dr. Soto-Mota explains why he shifted gears from traditional internal medicine to metabolic research, sharing a fascinating look into the slow evolution of science—often progressing "one funeral at a time." We dive deep into the remarkable real-world success of using carbohydrate restriction and carnivore diets to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the biological flaws of the "calorie" model, and why the textbook definition of hormones is completely outdated. Finally, we break down his recent Keto CTA study on Lean Mass Hyper-Responders (LMHR) and what the data actually says about high LDL cholesterol and heart disease plaque progression in metabolically healthy individuals. If you've ever felt like the standard medical advice on diet, metabolism, and cholesterol isn't telling the whole story, this deep dive into physiology is for you. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the Like button, Subscribe to the channel, and share your thoughts in the comments below! ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction & Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota's background 00:34 – Internal Medicine vs. Biomedical Science: Why medicine isn't a science 03:57 – Are we on the edge of a massive paradigm shift in healthcare? 07:50 – "Science progresses one funeral at a time" 09:21 – The shocking success of Carnivore & Low-Carb diets for IBD patients 13:33 – Epilepsy, IBD, and treating disease when we don't know the mechanism 16:52 – Are ketone bodies actually hormones? 21:42 – The biological flaw of the "Calorie" and the Energy Balance Model 37:13 – The Keto CTA Study: Does high LDL cause plaque in Lean Mass Hyper-Responders? 42:43 – The biggest surprise from the data 🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS Follow Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota on Twitter/X: [Insert Link] Read the Keto CTA Study: [Insert Link] Subscribe to the Podcast: [Insert Link] Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, lifestyle, or medical treatment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this link [https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn] Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDpVgBgbtgoNBz3sRQauH5w] Instagram  @degreesofhealth [https://www.instagram.com/degrees_of_health/] Disclaimer [https://www.canva.com/design/DAF6uea0cwE/S6IFQR7g0IoRiQiRkAIDyA/view?utm_content=DAF6uea0cwE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Hidden Dangers of Plant Toxins | Dr Anthony Chaffee

Some people find health through green smoothies. Others find it in 3 kilos of steak cooked in ghee. Dr Anthony Chaffee is a neurosurgical registrar and ex-professional rugby player who’s been running on nothing but animal products for years. No salads. No supplements. No exceptions. In this conversation, we get into the weeds of his theory, that many modern illnesses (autoimmune conditions, metabolic disorders, mental health struggles) are not mysterious at all, they are the result of eating the wrong fuel. 🥩 Why plants aren’t as innocent as they look 🧬 Autoimmunity, inflammation & symptom reversals 🍳 What a carnivore diet looks like day-to-day 📉 Why most nutrition advice is upside down 📚 The history of meat-based medicine (it’s older than you think) 🧠 What brain fog, bloating, and back pain have in common Take a listen as he lays out the logic, science and experience behind a radical return to meat and see if it changes your perspective. Find Dr Anthony: Website - https://www.howtocarnivore.com/ YouTube  @anthonychaffeemd  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCzoRyR_nlesKZuOlEjWRXQQ] Mentioned in this episode: The Relation of Alimentation and Disease by Dr James Salisbury Strong Medicine by Dr Blake Donaldson Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Dr Weston Price Bruce Ames research on naturally occurring plant carcinogens JAMA (2016) Sugar industry’s influence on dietary fat recommendations Dr. Paul Saladino  @Paulsaladinomd  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCgBg0LcHfnJDPmFTTf677Pw] Dr. Shawn Baker Thomas Seyfried - https://youtu.be/JMCaNcvPu3I?si=BsROlO5qR6c9GQeu Dr. Dominic D’Agostino - https://youtu.be/kYl7ow_-01E?si=CoCijlouXDe7z72_ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this link [https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn] Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDpVgBgbtgoNBz3sRQauH5w] Instagram  @degreesofhealth [https://www.instagram.com/degrees_of_health/] Disclaimer [https://www.canva.com/design/DAF6uea0cwE/S6IFQR7g0IoRiQiRkAIDyA/view?utm_content=DAF6uea0cwE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Mitochondria: The Key to Mental Health | Dr Ana Andreazza

What if the root of mental illness isn’t all in your head but in your cells? Dr. Ana Andreazza is leading one of the most exciting shifts in psychiatric science: away from neurotransmitters and towards the mighty mitochondria. In this episode, she and Ben explore the metabolic foundations of mood disorders, how lactate and ketones impact the brain and why most psychiatric medications only form part of the picture. From bipolar disorder and inflammation to mitochondrial transplants and brain organoids, Ana is at the forefront of rethinking how we treat, prevent and understand mental illness. We cover: 🧬 Why mitochondria might be the missing link in mental illness 🔥 How lactate and inflammation can trigger mania and mood swings 🥦 Why nutrition is still missing from most psychiatric care ⚡ The link between energy metabolism and neurotransmitters 🥼 What mitochondrial transplants could mean for brain health 🥑 The promise of ketones in bipolar and mood regulation 💊 Why we need both meds and metabolic interventions Find Ana: More about Ana's work - https://mito2i.ca Papers & Research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ana-Andreazza -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this link [https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn] Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDpVgBgbtgoNBz3sRQauH5w] Instagram  @degreesofhealth [https://www.instagram.com/degrees_of_health/] Disclaimer [https://www.canva.com/design/DAF6uea0cwE/S6IFQR7g0IoRiQiRkAIDyA/view?utm_content=DAF6uea0cwE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Fertility Factors: Blood Sugar, Protein, and Nutrient Density | Lily Nichols

This episode's information revealed just how much of our 'regulated' nutritional information is either completely outdated or incorrect. Here with Lily Nichols, a renowned dietitian and author who is not afraid to speak on the controversial dietary topics, we discuss where current nutritional guidelines on protein and micronutrients impact overall health and hold us back, particularly for those looking to optimise fertility and metabolic health. Tune in to get the latest on: 🤰 Nutritional foundations for maternal and child health - pre-pregnancy, pre-natal, and post natal 🍩 Blood sugar regulation and nutrient-dense diets for prospective parents ℹ️ The actually essential roles of non-essential amino acids 👶🏻 A protein-forward, nutrient dense intake for maternal health and fetal development 🌾 Supplementing vs real foods - the synergies 🧬 How nutrients (like choline, vitamin D, and B12) influence genetic expression from the womb onward This conversation is a must for prospective parents, and anyone seeking to understand how optimal nutrition intersects with fertility, energy, and lifelong health. Find Lily: Website, Blog Posts and Books lilynickelsrdn.com Free 1st Book Chapter - Real Food for Pregnancy https://lilynicholsrdn.com/free-chapter/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2hrV3JOU01fQ2txOWdNUjNvQ0RJbDQ5cUwzd3xBQ3Jtc0ttRFZkc0hPVEF6bUh6dnFOaHJrcWdWU2FIVkpWN3pRRVM1LUJFZHdnVU0xME11Z0lTSGNKSTc4cW93S3hhYWFtenB4U0RpN2lKZ0daZVlBOW12U3hDdlpwNkJ2TEVkOGo5NHlKVGI2WGRpTngtNGtfQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Flilynicholsrdn.com%2Ffree-chapter%2F&v=-F9LXrY2hMo] Instagram  [https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/social_media/instagram_1x.png] / lilynicholsrdn   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXlqMG1JVDJlZWthYWF4cm4xaHVQNmtfbTI1Z3xBQ3Jtc0ttNmlhMDNaaGhuRDdvOGFkV2w5cUk4TUcwM2NvYnF4Tkxmakh3YnBPY19pNXhURTdkajV1T3VCVnQtbTR3bDQydndUc0ItckJDUWs4WGk3Z2xGQW1RZk1jVzYtM1N2bkZiZGNRbzFhNG5UNzRoUWNFbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Flilynicholsrdn&v=-F9LXrY2hMo] Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this link [https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/DyJ3mn] Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDpVgBgbtgoNBz3sRQauH5w] Instagram  @degreesofhealth [https://www.instagram.com/degrees_of_health/] Disclaimer [https://www.canva.com/design/DAF6uea0cwE/S6IFQR7g0IoRiQiRkAIDyA/view?utm_content=DAF6uea0cwE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.