Sharing my experience with Keto incase it helps someone:
Ketonic diet is definitely a powerful intervention, as this study shows. It's also been particularly powerful for various neurological conditions such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, and even Autism and ADHD. I have mild AuDHD and being in ketosis significantly improves the feelings of inner resistance and aversion that come with neurodivergence - the mind feels well lubricated and concordant instead of chaotic, it perhaps even feels like the neurodivergence is 'cured'.
However, I tried keto several times in the past and it didn't suit me particularly, I could not sustain it. This is because initially, the diet drops blood plasma volume significantly, and I already have hypovolemia (low blood volume) and sickle cell anemia (minor trait Thalassemia). This meant my blood volume would drop too low and it would stress my body exceptionally hard. I was drinking so much salt water (As the guidelines recommend) and was definitely in Ketosis, but the 'keto-flu' persisted past 7-10 days and I gave up. During that period I had my bloods done and had elevated ALT/AST levels, and had constant shortness of breath and low energy.
It was actually this experience with the keto diet that made me realise the connection with hypovolemia and sickle cell anemia. This led me to supplement with creatine to increase plasma volume and that has an amazing effect on how I feel and my cognitive function =). Thanks for reading.
N_Lens•5m ago
Ketonic diet is definitely a powerful intervention, as this study shows. It's also been particularly powerful for various neurological conditions such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, and even Autism and ADHD. I have mild AuDHD and being in ketosis significantly improves the feelings of inner resistance and aversion that come with neurodivergence - the mind feels well lubricated and concordant instead of chaotic, it perhaps even feels like the neurodivergence is 'cured'.
However, I tried keto several times in the past and it didn't suit me particularly, I could not sustain it. This is because initially, the diet drops blood plasma volume significantly, and I already have hypovolemia (low blood volume) and sickle cell anemia (minor trait Thalassemia). This meant my blood volume would drop too low and it would stress my body exceptionally hard. I was drinking so much salt water (As the guidelines recommend) and was definitely in Ketosis, but the 'keto-flu' persisted past 7-10 days and I gave up. During that period I had my bloods done and had elevated ALT/AST levels, and had constant shortness of breath and low energy.
It was actually this experience with the keto diet that made me realise the connection with hypovolemia and sickle cell anemia. This led me to supplement with creatine to increase plasma volume and that has an amazing effect on how I feel and my cognitive function =). Thanks for reading.