Vegan Ketogenic Diet: Dr. Toni Bark's Approach

Dr. Toni Bark is a medical doctor with a specialism in homeopathy and nutritional medicine. She is a proponent of the ketogenic diet, which she believes can be used to reverse disease processes and reduce inflammation in the body. In a video, she explains that ketosis is about burning fat and lowering glucose and insulin levels. She recommends a moderate protein intake and plenty of healthy fats.

Dr. Bark takes a plant-based approach to the ketogenic diet, which she believes can be used to reverse disease processes such as cancer, autoimmune syndromes, metabolic syndrome, dementia, and chronic inflammation. She holds keto food-prep classes and recommends raw, cultured, and dehydrated foods.

A vegan keto diet combines plant-based eating with an extremely low carbohydrate intake. It focuses on dietary fat, protein, and a small number of carbohydrates. This approach can promote rapid weight loss, improve blood sugar metabolism, and boost longevity.

Dr. Bark's approach to the keto diet includes plenty of nuts, seeds, oils, and oily foods, as well as plant-based proteins such as tofu, tempeh, and quinoa. She recommends limiting alcohol intake and avoiding processed foods, vegetable oils, and high-sugar fruits.

Ketogenic diet and cancer

The ketogenic diet has been purported to have benefits for people with cancer. It is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that puts the body into a metabolic state called ketosis. In ketosis, the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose.

Ketosis and Cancer

Ketosis can be an effective way to starve cancer cells of the glucose they need to survive and thrive. Otto Warburg studied cancer cells and noticed that they swallowed up huge amounts of glucose and produced lactic acid, even in the presence of oxygen. Cancer cells require about 19 times the amount of glucose for the same amount of ATP production. ATP is the fuel that is made in the cells.

Our cells have mitochondria, which are the fuel cells of our bodies. Depending on their form, fatty acids can be used by our cells. However, cancer cells cannot utilize fats and have a high glucose demand. Shifting the fuel source to fats can trick cancer cells and put pressure on them so they start dying.

Ketogenic Diet and Metastasis

While the ketogenic diet may slow down tumor growth, its effects on metastatic progression remain unclear. A study on mice with breast cancer found that a ketogenic diet promoted tumor metastasis. The mice on the ketogenic diet had accumulated a much larger number of metastatic nodules in their lungs.

Ketogenic Diet and Cachexia

In mice with pancreatic and colorectal cancer, the keto diet was found to accelerate cachexia, a lethal wasting disease. Cachexia causes loss of appetite, extreme weight loss, fatigue, and immune suppression. However, pairing the keto diet with a corticosteroid prevented cachexia and increased survival in mice with cancer.

Safety and Side Effects

There are concerns about providing protein to patients who are at risk for renal problems. Additionally, ketogenic diets may have unintended side effects for cancer patients. For example, in mice with cancer, keto diets caused early-onset cachexia.

The ketogenic diet may be a potential tool in the fight against cancer. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effects, safety, and potential side effects. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet, especially for those with cancer or other health conditions.

Ketogenic diet and weight loss

The ketogenic diet is a popular approach to weight loss and overall health improvement. By reducing carbohydrate and sugar intake, the body is forced to burn fat and ketones for energy, leading to effective and sustained weight loss. This diet typically consists of 75% fat, 15-20% protein, and up to 10% carbohydrates.

The ketogenic diet is designed to shift the body's fuel source from glucose to fatty acids and ketones. This shift occurs when the body's available glycogen is depleted, causing the body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates. All cells, except red blood cells, contain mitochondria, which can use either glucose or fats for energy production.

Benefits

The ketogenic diet is highly effective for weight loss as it forces the body to burn fat reserves when blood glucose levels are low. Additionally, it is the most anti-inflammatory diet available, helping to eliminate chronic pain, digestive issues, and other inflammation-related health problems. It also aids in reversing type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and even certain types of cancer.

Plant-Based Approach

Dr. Toni Bark, a proponent of the ketogenic diet, recommends a plant-based approach to this lifestyle. This involves deriving proteins from plant sources such as cruciferous vegetables, seeds, and nuts. This method provides more protein per calorie than meat and includes more fiber, improving digestion.

Considerations

While the ketogenic diet is generally safe, it is important to note that it can lead to reduced water retention, lower blood pressure, and decreased blood sugar levels. Therefore, individuals with health issues or those taking medications to lower blood pressure or blood sugar should consult a physician experienced in ketosis before starting this diet.

Weight Loss and Beyond

The ketogenic diet offers a range of benefits beyond weight loss, including reduced inflammation, improved blood sugar metabolism, and potential protection against chronic diseases. However, it requires careful planning and preparation, especially for those following a vegan ketogenic diet, to ensure adequate nutrient intake and avoid potential deficiencies.

Ketogenic diet and inflammation

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate regimen that has long been known to benefit epilepsy and other neurological illnesses. The diet works by changing the way the body uses energy. In response to the shortage of carb-derived sugars such as glucose, the body begins breaking down fat into ketones and ketoacids, which it can use as alternative fuels.

Ketogenic Diet and Inflammatory Arthritis

The ketogenic diet has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. Systemic inflammation is regulated by the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The effects of the ketogenic diet on systemic inflammation are related to three main drivers:

• Insulin reduction
• Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) synthesis
• Glucagon increase

Insulin and chronic hyperinsulinemia are associated with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and leptin. Leptin is a unique cytokine due to its adipose-derived origin. Adipose tissue is considered not only as the body's energy reservoir but also as an endocrine tissue that can produce pro-inflammatory cytokines.

BHB, the main ketone body, has a double effect on the NLRP3 inflammasome complex (NIC). When activated, NIC functions as an inducer of caspase 1, which cleaves pro-IL-1β. After being cleaved, pro-IL1β becomes functional IL-1β. The activation of NIC requires two steps: first, the stimulus from Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) that promotes the synthesis of NIC proteins, and then their assembly. BHB suppresses TLR4 stimulus and the assembly of NIC individual proteins. Furthermore, BHB functions as a ligand to hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors (HCAr), which is a G protein-coupled receptor predominantly expressed in adipose and immune cells. Activation of HCAr suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine production, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, and IL-1.

The increase in glucagon is a direct effect of the decrease in insulin. Glucagon exerts its effect by activating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway. The effects of cAMP activation vary between tissues and even between cells of the same tissue. In dendritic cells, the increase in cAMP suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, IL-17, IFN-γ, and promotes anti-inflammatory cytokine production such as IL-10.

Ketogenic Diet and Inflammatory Markers

The presence of ketones in the body, especially in the brain, is going to reduce inflammatory markers. Inflammation is reduced. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker that you can see respond pretty quickly to putting a patient in ketosis. It will come way down. Patients who are on ketogenic diets have CRP levels in the 0 range.

Ketogenic Diet and Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is known to be linked to cancer. The inflammatory theory of disease states that in order for cancers to spread and for cancer to be present, there has to be some inflammation. The presence of ketones in the body is going to reduce inflammatory markers and, thus, inflammation.

Ketogenic Diet and Brain Inflammation

Ketogenic diets may work by lowering inflammation in the brain. In rodents, ketogenic diets are known to reduce inflammation, improve outcomes after brain injury, and even extend lifespan. These benefits are less well-established in humans, however, in part because of the difficulty in maintaining a ketogenic state.

The ketogenic diet has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and reduce inflammatory markers in the body. This can have beneficial effects on various diseases and conditions, including inflammatory arthritis, chronic inflammation, and brain inflammation.

Ketogenic diet and diabetes

The ketogenic (keto) diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet that can be beneficial for people with diabetes. The keto diet was created in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy, but its effects are now being studied for type 2 diabetes.

How it works

The keto diet changes the way the body stores and uses energy. On the keto diet, the body converts fat instead of sugar into energy. This can lead to lower blood glucose levels and reduced insulin requirements.

What to eat

The keto diet focuses on heart-healthy fats, such as olives and olive oil, nuts and nut butters, avocados, and low-carb vegetables. Carbohydrate intake is restricted, with very little of the diet coming from this food group.

Risks and considerations

The keto diet can be challenging to follow and may lead to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) if not properly managed. It is important to speak with a doctor before starting the keto diet, especially for those taking medications that affect insulin levels.

Additionally, the keto diet may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with type 1 diabetes, as there is a risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a dangerous condition caused by high ketone levels.

Research and other dietary approaches

Research supports the use of the keto diet for diabetes management, but some studies suggest that other dietary approaches, such as a plant-based or Mediterranean diet, may be more beneficial and easier to maintain in the long term.

The keto diet can be an effective option for managing type 2 diabetes, but it requires careful monitoring and may not be suitable for everyone. It is important to work with a doctor and dietician to determine the best dietary approach for managing diabetes.

Ketogenic diet and plant-based foods

The ketogenic diet is a popular approach to weight loss and health improvement, but it typically includes a lot of animal-based products. For vegans or those who prefer a plant-based diet, it may seem challenging to follow a keto diet while adhering to their dietary restrictions. However, it is possible to combine these two seemingly contradictory dietary patterns.

Understanding the Ketogenic and Vegan Diets

The ketogenic diet focuses on achieving a state of ketosis, where the body uses fat reserves for energy instead of glucose. This is done by drastically reducing carbohydrate intake, with only 10% of calories coming from carbohydrates, while increasing fat intake to around 75%. The remaining 15-20% comes from protein.

On the other hand, vegan diets exclude all animal products and derivatives, including meat, dairy, eggs, honey, and even some table dressings and processed foods.

Combining Keto and Vegan: Foods to Eat

To follow a vegan keto diet, it is essential to find plant-based sources of fat and protein that fit within the keto macronutrient guidelines. Here are some foods to include:

• Cooking oils such as olive oil, avocado oil, peanut oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil
• Avocados and coconut products like coconut milk, cream, guacamole, and avocado paste
• Nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, and macadamia nuts
• Seeds such as hemp seeds, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds
• Tofu, tempeh, and other processed soybean products
• Pseudocereals like quinoa and amaranth
• Green leafy vegetables such as broccoli

You can also include plant-based meat, egg, and dairy alternatives, as well as non-starchy vegetables, most mushrooms, herbs, and spices.

Foods to Avoid

A classic vegan diet includes a lot of fruit, grains, beans, legumes, and root vegetables, but these are high in carbohydrates and should be avoided on a keto diet. Alcoholic drinks, especially beers and liquors, are also off the menu due to their high sugar content.

Benefits of a Vegan Keto Diet

Following a vegan keto diet offers the benefits of both dietary approaches. Ketogenic diets are known for promoting rapid weight loss, improving blood sugar metabolism, and boosting longevity. Vegan diets, on the other hand, are environmentally-friendly, cruelty-free, and offer numerous health benefits.

Combining these two approaches may provide a balanced profile of unsaturated fatty acids and plant-based protein sources, which could enhance the anti-diabetic potential of the keto diet.

Risks and Considerations

A vegan keto diet is highly restrictive, and it may increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies and negatively impact gut health. It can also affect mental health and lead to disordered eating. Additionally, the very high fat content of this diet may be harmful to the liver in the long term.

Furthermore, low-carbohydrate intake can impact serotonin production, leading to low mood and impaired sleep. The diet's low fiber content is another concern, but this can be addressed with supplements.

Lastly, the initial transition to a keto diet may cause flu-like symptoms, commonly known as the "keto flu."

A vegan keto diet can be challenging but offers potential benefits for overall health and well-being. However, it is important to be aware of the risks and considerations, and it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet.

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