Psychology Today (blog)

Ketogenic Diets for Psychiatric Disorders: A New 2017 Review Psychology Today (blog) If you have a brain, you need to know about ketogenic diets. The fact that these specially-formulated low-carbohydrate diets have the power to stop seizures in their tracks is concrete evidence that food has a tremendous impact on brain chemistry and ...

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Ketogenic Diets for Psychiatric Disorders: A New 2017 Review - Psychology Today (blog)

Looks like a pretty great breakfast, but most people cant stick to a no carb diet long term.

IF YOU have any interest in the world of diet and nutrition chances are you would have seen reference to a keto, or low carb, high fat (LCHF) approach to diets and weight loss.

Used clinically for many years, specifically in the area of epilepsy where it is used to help reduce seizures, ketogenic diets are also known for their relatively quick weight loss outcomes. Not a new area of nutrition but one that has become increasingly popular in recent years, the question is, is a ketogenic diet the right diet for you?

Ketogenic diets refer to diets that are particularly low in carbohydrates (ranging from 5-20%, or 20-50g of total carbohydrates and high in fats (up to 75% in total fat). This is as opposed to standard diets which contain 30-50% carbohydrates and just 30% fat or less. Diets that are much lower in carbohydrate than the muscles and the brain typically need to function shift the body into a state known as ketosis in which fat stores in the body are broken down into ketones which fuel the muscles and the brain in place of the carbohydrates when they are in limited supply. The result is enhanced fat burning and relatively quick weight loss as compared to a traditional dietary approaches.

There is no evidence to show that keto diets are damaging to the body. In fact, with their superior weight loss and associated reductions in inflammation in the body, there are a number of benefits, particularly for individuals with high blood glucose levels, fatty liver and significant amounts of weight to lose.

The primary issue with keto diets is that the total amount of carbohydrate consumed needs to be kept very low, or the body will quickly come out of ketosis. For example, a low carb diet for most of the day followed by an extra snack of chocolate or piece of banana bread will quickly negate any of the potential benefits of ketosis as the total amount of carbohydrate rises above the upper limits of 50g or so for the average adult.

Any diet including a keto approach will work if people stick to it. but in the case of keto diets, unless you are prepared to eat no grains, bread, cereals, fruit, starchy vegetables or sugars for long periods of time, it probably is not for you.

This Tuna crudo, burrata cheese, avocado and cream of tomato from Ormeggio restaurant in Sydney looks appetising, but avoiding carbs every day will probably be difficult.Source:News Limited

A keto diet uses foods that are high in fats to such as nuts, avocado, oils, oily fish and cheese to replace carbohydrate in the diet. For example, eggs and smoked salmon for breakfast, tuna salad with cheese for lunch and steak and avocado for dinner. While this dietary approach may appeal at first, the average person tends to get sick of eating such as limited variety of foods over time and will often crave more fresh fruit, grains and sugars over time which makes long term compliance, especially when individuals regularly eat in social environments challenging.

While the Atkins Diet promoted a low carb, high fat approach, the main difference with modern keto approaches is that the focus is on good fats such as olive oil, nuts, seeds and oily fish as opposed to fatty meats, full cream dairy and butter, for which a high intake is linked to increase blood fats. It also appears that the weight loss benefits and positive impact on inflammation in the body that is the result of a keto approach appears to negate any issues with consuming a high-fat diet in general, as long as the good fats dominate.

A less frequently mentioned issue with weight loss as a result of a LCHF diet is what happens when individuals return to their usual eating habits. While keto diets will work as long as they are followed, returning to a high carb diet is likely to result in rapid weight gain. Whats worse is if you try a LCHF diet again, you are unlikely to be able to replicate the results. This is because a reduction in metabolism has resulted due to muscle mass loss as part of the initial weight loss process. For this reason, when using a LCHF diet, expert advice to support a transition back to a regular style of eating is crucial to support long term weight loss maintenance.

Another big issue with a pure keto approach is that the diet tends to be relatively low in some types of fibre as grains, cereals and much fruit is eliminated. This can result in constipation, gut discomfort and means that the gut is not receiving the prebiotics known to benefit gut health and immune function long term. For this reason when planning a keto diet, much attention needs to be paid into the types of vegetables and supplements consumed to attempt to preserve gut health and function.

Keto diets and the fans that swear by them often refer to the improved physical and mental performance associated with consuming fewer carbohydrates. New research published by the Australian Institute of Sport to date has not supported this finding, with athletes on a LCHF diet failing to see the improvements in performance compared to a higher carb approach. While this is just one study, it does question the physical performance benefits often claimed by fans of LCHF diets.

So should you try it? Any diet will work when it is followed. The primary issue with a keto approach is that people do not do it properly to get the best results, or they are not compliant for the long periods of time it takes to get significant weight loss. If you do have significant amounts of weight to lose, or are struggling with high blood sugars or a fatty liver, it may be worth a try but do it with supervision from a dietitian to make sure you are doing it the right way to get the best results without damaging your metabolism or gut health long term.

Ever wondered how to live a long and healthy life? Here are some tips we can learn from our brothers and sisters overseas!

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High fat, low carb Ketogenic diets work, but you'll have to be disciplined - NEWS.com.au

There have to be at least 1,000 different diets you can choose from today. From low-carb, paleo, vegan, and everything in between, there is hardly a shortage of options or information about those options out there for people. While some turn to their diets when they are struggling with their health, it can be extremely confusing and overwhelming to know exactly what to put on your plate to start feeling better. Now, of course, following one particular diet may not work for everyone, and professionals are generally the best purveyors of advice to those who are having problems with certain foods, but amidst all the debate over whether gluten is healthy or if coconut oil is good or evil, there is undoubtedly a set of basic guidelines that most people can agree on.

Similarly, if youre looking to refine your food choices to have the least negative impact on the planet and animals, you might find yourself bombarded with labels that boast sustainable or humane but there is a pretty simple solution that can help you get the most personal benefit while having the least impact on the planet.

So what is the catch-all solution to our looming health and environmental concerns? Well, if you ask John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, you need look no further than the ground.

As a pioneer in the organic and natural food space, Mackey has likely seen thousands of products bearing every free-from label possible and though his stores might be known for their impressive array of fancy, and healthy, frozen and packaged foods he sticks to one simple dogma: eat a primarily whole foods, plant-based diet.

In a recent episode of #EatForThePlanet with Nil Zacharias, Mackey details the in-depth research he did to develop his latest book The Whole Foods Diet,and shares the tips that he picked up from Blue Zone areas, regions of the world with the highest life expectancy. In addition to sharing tips for optimal longevity, Mackey gives his thoughts on plant-based proteinsand clean lab-grown meat. As a vegan, he has some opinions that might make others angry in regards to his stance of processed meat alternatives but Mackeys goal isnt to please people, its to help keep them healthy and he is very unapologetic about this.

The bottom line is we are in the midst of a global health and environmental crisis that is very closely tied to our food choices. If we continue to maintain a food system that favors meat, dairy, and processed foods although it is conspicuously making people sick and hindering our future ability to produce food we simply wont be able to feed a population of 9.7 billion people by the year 2050. Now, Mackey knows this and he has grand plans to live past the age of 100, so when he lays out a whole foods, plant-based diet as a solution to both these burning issues, he means it.

For more tips on how Mackey eats well while on the road and other practices he has fostered to ensure his own optimal performance, check out the episode!

If you like this episode, be sure to subscribe to the #EatForThePlanet with Nil Zacharias podcast for new episodes with food industry leaders, health and sustainability experts, as well as entrepreneurs and creative minds who are redefining the future of food.

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John Mackey of Whole Foods Market on the Healthiest Way to Eat for the Planet - One Green Planet

Kent Maurer used to be a meat and potatoes kind of guy.

"I grew up having my bacon and eggs for breakfast," he said. "I'd have my burger and fries for lunch, my steak for dinner and my ice cream for dessert."

The 61-year-old now adheres to a different diet. Rather than grilling chicken or making pot roast, Maurer often prepares a hearty salad and baked potato for dinner. He said his decision to stick to a plant-only diet changed his health and his life.

The Park City resident feels everyone can benefit from the choice to abstain from meat, dairy and other animal products. Not only does being vegan help protect people from heart disease, he said, it also benefits the environment by cutting down on resources used to feed and transport livestock.

If you look around, all the biggest, fastest and strongest animals on the planet

including the animals were eating

are plant-eaters.

"If you look around, all the biggest, fastest and strongest animals on the planet including the animals we're eating are plant-eaters," he said.

Getting introduced

Maurer was a little apprehensive about the diet when he was introduced to it, which is something that isn't uncommon, he stressed.

When the Colorado native lived in California in the '80s, he found regular work as a stunt man for the action-adventure show "A-Team" and befriended one of the program's stars, Dirk Benedict.

Between faking death during staged explosions and rappelling down buildings, Maurer would chat with Benedict, especially during lunch breaks.

"I always noticed his plate of food," Maurer said. "His plate of food was brown rice and steamed vegetables. Mine was a burger and fries."

Curiosity got the best of Maurer, and he asked the actor why he ate the same meal every day. Limiting his consumption of meat, Benedict was on a macrobiotic diet and mostly munched on grains and vegetables.

The actor explained to Maurer his reasoning for following a mostly vegetarian diet, telling the stunt man the diet helped him heal from prostate cancer.

"He goes, 'I grew up in a cattle ranch in Montana. And at 29 years old, I got prostate cancer,'" Maurer said, adding that Benedict seemed to correlate his cancer with eating meat.

"That was the last I thought about it after that," Maurer said.

The stunt man grew homesick when he was in California and decided to return to his roots to work in Aspen, Colorado. There, he became a personal trainer and focused on staying fit, which is something that has always been important to him.

"When I was a kid, I wasn't the fastest or the biggest or the strongest," Maurer said. "I started exercising and tried to get better. It paid off."

He stayed in Aspen for a while. But after he married wife Laura in 1987, the couple decided the Aspen lifestyle was too expensive.

"We wanted to have a family," Maurer said.

They moved to Tucson, Arizona, and Maurer took a job as spa director at Canyon Ranch, a ritzy health resort.

Once again, the vegan lifestyle seemed to knock at Maurer's door. He noticed meals prepared at the spa closely mirrored Benedict's macrobiotic diet. He said he made a correlation between eating veggie-heavy meals and staying healthy, but he remained committed to eating the starches and proteins he grew up enjoying.

Making a lifestyle change

After a move back to the Golden State, Maurer jumped on the plant-only bandwagon when he once again became a personal fitness instructor, which had its challenges, he said.

The trainer was able to help clients build muscle and lose weight, but he wanted to do more.

"I got people stronger and fitter," he said. "I also had people who were getting heart disease and cancer. I even had clients that would die because of these diseases.

"I felt like I wasn't doing any good for these people who I've gotten so close to, so I started looking outside the box I was comfortable with."

Maurer was in his 40s when he decided to try a diet that had followed him, almost like a shadow, during his adult life. He started traveling from his residence in San Diego to Los Angeles to attend conferences on veganism. After Maurer discovered he had high cholesterol, he decided to challenge himself.

"I said, 'OK, I'm going to try this for a month," Maurer said. "I can always go back to my old way of eating if I get weak or if I can't handle it."

He stuck to a diet of oatmeal in the morning, burritos in the afternoon and salads in the evening. In between meals, he snacked on fruits and nuts. He said the results from eating veggies, grains, fruits and nuts shocked him.

"My cholesterol was almost 300, because even though I looked good, my internal organs were starting to pile up with all that saturated fat and cholesterol I'd been eating my whole life," Maurer said. "So after one month, I went back to the doctor and my cholesterol went from 298 down to 160."

Maurer cut meat out of his life 21 years ago. His wife and two kids also jumped on board. Now, his mission is to encourage Parkites to adopt a vegan lifestyle.

Maurer's calling

Since moving to Park City in 2007, Maurer still a personal trainer has challenged locals to follow a plant-only diet.

"I ask them to stop eating animals for 10 days and see what happens," he said. "I take them to a grocery store and show them how to read labels and what foods to eat. I also take them on hikes, so they can talk to me and ask some questions."

The Parkite who, in addition to spreading his vegan motto, loves to hike and enjoys watching documentaries wants people to know he feels eating a plant-only diet has more pros than cons.

Yes, a stand against the mistreatment of cows and chickens is a reason to refrain from eating meat and animal byproducts, he said, but his main drive is his belief that the livestock industry could one day lead to a global crisis, which is something he feels can be avoided.

Maurer said the water it takes to nourish plants fed to animals should instead be used for plants grown for human consumption.

"There is only 1 percent of water that we can drink that's not salt water or not frozen, and the whole planet has to share it," Maurer said, adding he thinks the next big war will be over available water.

Installing solar panels or investing in other renewable sources takes money, Maurer said, but people can conserve a valuable resource by changing their diets.

"I think it all starts with what we're eating," he said. "Peace starts at our dinner table."

Excerpt from:
Profile: Kent Maurer feels world peace starts at the dinner table - The Park Record

The United Way of St. Francois County awarded the largest amount of grants to date during the annual grant presentation held on Tuesday at the Farmington Public Library.

A total of nearly $200,000 was awarded to 33 agencies more than $20,000 over last years total.

I thought it was one of the neatest, biggest that weve had so far, Executive Director Clay Whitener said. We gave away more money than we ever have before we earned a little more, so we were able to give back a whole lot more."

Whitener addressed those representing the agencies receiving grants stating he sees the work they do and how hard the work can be.

We appreciate your support of us, and in an effort to show our appreciation for what all of you do thats why this day is here, he said.

Mark Toti, president of the United Way board, introduced the agencies receiving grant funds and gave a few statistics of the work those organizations provide in the county.

More than 140,000 meals are served through the four senior centers and Meals on Wheels for Special Diets program; more than 50,000 individuals receive assistance through the seven food pantries in the county. Grant monies were also received by the five Caring Communities programs serving the students in each of the countys five school districts, as well as 16 agencies able to continue specific services to the county through the grants received.

Agencies awarded this year include Bismarck Senior Center, Bonne Terre Senior Center, Farmington Senior Center, Park Hills Senior Center, Meals on Wheels for Special Diets, Central Caring Communities, West County Caring Communities, Bismarck Caring Communities, Farmington Caring Communities, North County Caring Communities, Bonne Terre Food Pantry, Bismarck Church of God Food Pantry, Elvins Food Pantry, Farmington Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, St. Vincent de Paul at Immaculate Conception Church in Park Hills, St. Vincent de Paul at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Farmington, House of Praise Food Pantry in Desloge, Childrens Advocacy Center, East Missouri Action Agency, Habitat for Humanity of St. Francois County, L.I.F.E Center for Independent Living, Parkland Foster Adopt Families, Parkland Pregnancy Resource Center, SEMO Family Violence Council, Shared Blessings Homeless Shelter, Young Faith in Christ, Upward Smiles Dental Clinic, Salvation Army, St. Francois County Mental Health Board, Visions of Hope, St. Francois County Health Center, BJC Behavioral Health Club House, and St. Francois County Community Partnership.

Donations to the United Way of St. Francois County are made in a variety of ways. Some donations are received through payroll deduction or through charitable donations, memorial gifts or legacy gifts.

Fundraiser events also raise money for the grants provided, such as Dine Out for United Way, bell ringing during the holiday season, Sing United or the Girls Night Out event.

Every contribution goes toward the grants the United Way pledges to give each year to agencies in St. Francois County that help people in need, with 100 percent of every financial gift to United Way of St. Francois County going to the local agencies funded by United Way.

Planning is already underway for raising money toward next years grant presentation.

Right now, were trying to get ready for fall, Whitener said. (The time frame for) bell ringing is pretty well scheduled. Were going to start a little bit before the Thanksgiving holiday (when) everybody is in the giving spirit and theyre not really sure how to help. Dine Out (for the United Way) is going to last two months instead of four.

Whitener said payroll deduction is a year-round way businesses and corporations and their employees can help those agencies.

The United Way of St. Francois County is recognized by the IRS as a 501c organization. Organized in 1994, the local United Way exists to raise funds for local agencies to meet the needs of people in St. Francois County.

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A day of giving - Daily Journal Online

Eating meat probably won't leave you impotent in bed. But if you have a hard time maintaining an erection, it might be worth reevaluating your diet.

Groups that advocate for a meat-free diet such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are quick to warn consumers about how meat consumption affects sexual functioning. This anti-meat campaign strategy might seem exaggerated, but there's research indicating that red meats can actually be bad for a man's "other" meat.

A 2015 study looked at how different lifestyle factors could contribute to a person's risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Among the findings, researchers determined that eating meals high in whole grain, fruits, and vegetables and low in red meat and fatty dairy products made it less likely that men would suffer from sexual dysfunction.

A separate study published in the journal Urology in 2013, which analyzed the prevalence of erectile dysfunction among Canadian men involved in a national health survey, determined that the risk of developing the disorder decreased by 10 percent "with each additional daily serving of fruit and vegetable consumed."

What's more, processed meat consumption has also been associated with lower sperm count, which could make it more difficult to fertilize an egg if you're trying to have a child.

There aren't any established guidelines dictating the amount of meat you can safely consume without putting your partner at risk. That said, if you're one of the 15 to 30 million men that are estimated to suffer from erectile dysfunction and you eat a lot of meat then it couldn't hurt to limit your meat intake.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends eating no more than 4 ounces of meat per day, including just 1.8 ounces of red meat.

If you've read this far and still don't feel compelled to reduce your meat consumption for the sake of optimal sexual functioning, here's a buzz kill for you: eating meat can be bad for your health in other ways, too.

Studies have found that red meat can raise a person's risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Just some food for thought.

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What Eating Meat Really Does to a Man's 'Other' Meat - ATTN:

Information Nigeria

How To Make Your Hair Thicker And Nails Stronger Information Nigeria Looking good is just as much about taking care of your body on the inside as it is about using products on the outside. And we're not just talking about your skin: . A nutritious diet promotes healthy nails and hair, too, says Joshua Zeichner, MD ... and more »

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How To Make Your Hair Thicker And Nails Stronger - Information Nigeria

As a top scientist, I grew up believing in low-fat. Yes, for years I trusted the research, ate fruits and grains and shunned tempting doughnuts, in the firm belief this would keep my body strong. I even wrote books about it! But heres the thing. Although Ilooked trim and healthy and some say fiendishly attractive on the outside, inside my organs were pallid and miserable. And more importantly, they were at critical risk of to use the medical jargon total fucking collapse. Put simply, I could have died of health at any moment.

Turns out my first 10 books were absolutely right about the importance of hair colour, beetroots, nutmeg, nose shape and colonic megafauna in banishing flab and low self-esteem, but, as Ive learned to my cost, cutting-edge research proves that its just not enough to fast, exercise and eat only fermented items between 5pm and midnight although of course all that previous advice still stands. But if we want to be truly healthy, as I explain in my new book, we urgently need to review everything we thought we knew about what turns out to be the bodys greatest natural ally against disease lard. And its not just us experts who think so. Visiting aremote tribe in snowy Lardland for my Super Lard Diet, I met 150-year-olds whose longevity can only be explained by the healing power of locally harvested lard. Right away, Iresolved to replace a minimum 27.2% of my own diet with lard, except on nutmeg or fasting days, and a subsequent incredibly hi-tech scan proved that all my internal organs are now supple and resilient, or, to use the medical jargon, the dogs bollocks.

So youll see why I am convinced that scientifically controlled lard-eating can have a massive impact onyour health and IQ, whether youre tall or short, clever or thick. How does it work? Which lard should I choose? Dont worry: The Super Lard Diet, out now, contains all the exclusive tips and recipes youll need until my next revolutionary diet discovery, outnext week.

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Modern tribes: the diet guru - The Guardian

Men's Health

The Exact Diet Russell Wilson Is Using to Cut 10 Pounds | Men's ... Men's Health Seattle Seahawks signal-caller Russell Wilson is going with a high-calorie regimen to lose fat and build muscle for the upcoming NFL season. Audio: ESPN Seahawks reporter Sheil Kapadia shares what he learned reporting on Russell Wilson's new dietMyNorthwest.com Seahawks' Russell Wilson: Seeing immediate benefits from improved dietCBSSports.com Russell Wilson using nine-meal, 4800-calorie diet to cut weightYardbarker STACK News -UPI.com all 15 news articles »

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The Exact Diet Russell Wilson Is Using to Cut 10 Pounds | Men's ... - Men's Health