Metabolic Mind

For decades, LDL cholesterol has been the go-to metric for assessing heart disease risk. But growing research suggests there's a better predictor: ApoB. But is it a predictor in itself, or is it a marker of something even more important? Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is a protein found on all potentially harmful lipoprotein particles, like LDL, VLDL, and remnants. Because each particle carries one ApoB,...

Starting a ketogenic diet, reaching ketosis, and setting the right keto macros can feel overwhelming at first, but the fundamentals are simpler than they seem. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down how to start a keto diet step by step, including how to lower carbs, balance protein, and use fat as your primary fuel source. Whether your goal is weight loss, metabolic health, or therapeutic keto...

As interest grows in alternative approaches to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), like ibogaine and psilocybin-assisted therapy, researchers are also exploring how metabolic interventions may target the underlying biology of psychiatric conditions. Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Nicole Laurent, a licensed therapist and researcher, about a published case report exploring ketogenic metabolic therapy...

Can a ketogenic diet affect your thyroid? What about bone health, uric acid, cannabis use, or ketone supplements? In this Metabolic Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede answer your most pressing questions about ketogenic therapy and how it interacts with real-world health concerns. From thyroid function to mental health, this conversation highlights how nuanced and individualized me...

Can something as simple as coconut oil support brain health in dementia? In this video, Dr. Bret Scher explores an emerging area of research focused on brain energy metabolism and how ketones may play a role in supporting cognitive function in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. As the brain’s ability to use glucose declines in Alzheimer’s, researchers have begun inv...

Exogenous ketones have exploded in popularity, with claims ranging from better brain function to improved performance and weight loss. But what does the science actually say? In this in-depth conversation, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with leading ketone researcher Dr. Dominic D'Agostino to break down the reality behind exogenous ketones—what they are, how they work, and where they may (or may not) fi...

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide have been widely discussed as breakthrough treatments for weight loss and metabolic health. But a large new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry is shifting the conversation toward something deeper: the connection between metabolic health and mental health. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down what the research actually shows, and just as importantly, wh...

GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide are often described as “game changers” for weight loss and cardiovascular health, and in many ways, the data support that claim. Clinical trials suggest meaningful reductions in major cardiovascular events, offering hope for individuals struggling with metabolic disease. But there’s an important nuance that deserves more attention: what happens when these m...

We’re seeing increasingly compelling results from ketogenic therapy in serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. But what happens when a potential concern emerges along the way? In this conversation, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Lori Calabrese to walk through a real patient case that highlights both the promise and the complexity of...

What do you do when keto is genuinely changing your life, but your LDL goes up? That's exactly the question Dr. Bret Scher sits down to answer in this conversation with podcast producer Erica Gerard. Erica started ketogenic therapy for two reasons: to support her taper off long-term antidepressants, and to address symptoms of complex PTSD. Six months in, the results were remarkable. A smoother tap...

How do the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and the American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations compare, and why do they differ? In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down where these two major nutrition guidelines align, where they diverge, and what that means for your health. At the center of the conversation is a key question: should health be defined by a single lab marker, or...

People with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety are seeing real improvements through ketogenic therapy. Now there's real-world clinical data to back it up. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Erin Bellamy to discuss her newly published findings from a clinical program bringing ketogenic therapy into everyday mental health care. While this was not a randomized controlled tri...

Are we turning to ADHD and depression medications too quickly for kids? The Wall Street Journal and New York Times recently published powerful investigations into the overuse of psychiatric medications in children. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher unpacks the key takeaways, the risks of polypharmacy, and why a comprehensive, root-cause approach is more important than ever for kids facing mental healt...

If you carry the ApoE4 gene, you’ve likely been told your risk for Alzheimer’s disease is significantly higher. But what does that really mean, and how much control do you actually have? In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the science behind ApoE4, one of the strongest genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, and explains why increased risk does not mean a predetermined outcome. You’ll...

How do we actually define “healthy food”? And how is it possible that processed, sugary cereals like Lucky Charms score higher than natural foods like eggs and meat in some food scoring systems? Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Ty Beal to explore a newly developed nutritional value scoring system designed to better reflect nutrient density, bioavailability, and chronic disease risk. Unlike many e...

Nurturing your relationship with yourself and your body can play a meaningful role in how you move forward from a mental health setback. Nicole Laurent shares a grounded, compassionate perspective on navigating setbacks. She explores how these moments can sometimes disrupt trust in ourselves, creating an internal tension that makes progress feel harder than it needs to be. She explores: Why setbac...

Is high LDL cholesterol always a red flag? For a growing group of people known as Lean Mass Hyper-Responders (LMHRs), the answer might not be so black and white. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher unpacks the science and questions behind LMHRs—metabolically healthy, lean individuals who see a dramatic rise in LDL cholesterol after starting a ketogenic diet. Unlike people with familial hypercholesterole...

Are we destined for cognitive decline as we age, or do we have more control than we think? In this conversation, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with neuroscientist and researcher Dr. Tommy Wood to explore a powerful shift in how we think about brain health, aging, and dementia prevention. Dr. Wood challenges the common belief that cognitive decline is inevitable, highlighting how lifestyle, environment,...

In this second video of our Bounce Back Series , Dr. Georgia Ede shares practical, compassionate guidance for returning to ketosis using simple, effective strategies rooted in diet and lifestyle. Rather than approaching setbacks with frustration or perfectionism, Dr. Ede emphasizes a mindset of curiosity and learning. Falling out of ketosis will happen and it’s not a failure. With the right tools,...

If you only read the headlines, it sounds simple: plants are protective, red meat is harmful. But when you examine the actual studies behind those claims, the conclusions aren’t nearly so clear. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher takes a closer look at two recently published papers, one linking red meat consumption to diabetes risk and another suggesting vegetarian diets reduce cancer risk. Both studie...

In this special episode of Metabolic Mind, Dr. Julie Milder, Director of Neuroscience at Baszucki Group, speaks with Dr. Fabiano Gomes, psychiatrist and researcher at McMaster University, and the inaugural recipient of the Baszucki Group Metabolic Psychiatry Scholar Award. Dr. Gomes recently published a pilot feasibility trial of a ketogenic diet for depression in the Journal of Affective Disorder...

Setbacks are a natural part of any journey, and mental health recovery is no exception. In this video, Dr. Matt Bernstein shares a powerful perspective on why downturns aren’t failures, but opportunities to learn, adapt, and build resilience. Rather than viewing setbacks as something to fear or avoid, Dr. Bernstein explains how adopting a growth mindset can transform the way we respond to challeng...

Can a ketogenic diet improve mental health? This week marks a significant moment for metabolic psychiatry and ketogenic therapy for serious mental illness. A New York Times piece highlighted early research from Stanford University, The Ohio State University, and the University of Edinburgh—alongside stories from individuals who have shared their lived experience here on Metabolic Mind. This kind o...

Can the ketogenic diet help improve symptoms for individuals living with treatment-resistant depression? In this conversation, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Megan Kirk Chang, a senior researcher in metabolic psychiatry at the University of Oxford and a co-author of the recently published DIME trial. This study represents the first randomized clinical trial to evaluate a ketogenic diet in adult...

A new meta-analysis just dropped, and once again, saturated fat takes center stage. But does the data actually support the decades-long warnings we've heard about saturated fat and heart disease? Not exactly. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher dives deep into a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that reviewed randomized controlled trials on saturated fat intake and health outcome...