Lecture Notes: Ketosis and Cortisol

Introduction

• Focus on the connection between metabolism and brain health.
• Provide information on the potential effects of ketosis on cortisol and adrenal health.
• Disclaimer: Not providing medical advice; consult healthcare providers before making lifestyle changes.

Key Concerns

• Online claims about ketosis harming adrenal health and increasing cortisol.
• Limited quality research on the impact of ketosis on cortisol.
• Importance of clinical outcomes over mechanistic hypotheses.

Current Research and Findings

• Study on Low-Carb Diets:
  • Defined low carb as <35% of calories; moderate cortisol increase initially, decrease after 3 weeks.
• Meta-Analysis:
  • Early rise and later decline in cortisol levels.
• 8-Week Study:
  • Low-carb (50g/day) diet resulted in reduced cortisol at 8 weeks.
• Athlete Study:
  • Persistent increased cortisol post-exercise.

Long-term Effects and Concerns

• Uncertainties about long-term cortisol increase due to ketosis.
• Limited outcome data and inconsistent definitions challenge conclusions.
• Focus on negative health outcomes of high cortisol: insulin resistance, increased blood sugar/pressure, visceral fat.

Clinical Outcomes of Ketogenic Diets

• Beneficial effects: improved blood sugar, blood pressure, resolution of insulin resistance, reduced visceral fat.
• Argument: Positive clinical outcomes imply unlikely unhealthy cortisol response.

Adrenal Fatigue and Ketosis

• Lack of Recognition:
  • Not a recognized medical diagnosis; lacks diagnostic consistency.
• Expert Opinions:
  • Drs. Finney and Volek highlight lack of scientific evidence linking adrenal fatigue to ketosis.
• Symptoms (fatigue, anxiety, sleep issues) often result from other causes, like keto flu or electrolyte deficiency.

Approach to Potential Fatigue in Ketosis

• Consider electrolyte supplementation for symptoms of fatigue.
• Exploration of other fatigue causes.
• Carefully consider adding carbs, especially when using ketogenic therapy for mental disorders.

Conclusion

• Clinical outcomes over mechanistic cortisol theories.
• Encourage maintaining benefits of ketogenic therapy while considering additional interventions for fatigue.

Call to Action

• Encourage interaction and feedback from the audience.
• Emphasize the need to focus on clinical outcomes and individual health progress.
• Promote subscribing and sharing the content for broader reach.