Ketogenic Diets and Pain

Hi @steeldove, my husband and I started the keto diet 2 weeks ago. Family and friends gave it good reviews so we wanted to see our results. It is a difficult diet to maintain for me because I am a pescatarian but my husband loves it so far. One of our friends said he lost 25lbs. While on the diet he had no tremors which he gets periodically. Unfortunately, after stopping the keto diet he noticed the tremors came back. Thank you for the interesting reports. It is too soon for us too tell if the diet is helping with pain. We have neuropathy and a torn rotator cuff in the shoulder. I will keep you posted on our results of the keto diet.

I'm thinking of trying Intermitant Fasting with a keto diet. People seem to find that effective and that they can continue it for life.

Hi Steeldove, Be careful with the Keto diet. Although it can help in losing weight quickly, it is a very unbalanced diet. Also, keto weight loss often comes right back on, much like the Atkins diet of years ago. But the real problem is that your body can go into a state of ketosis, which is quite dangerous, and unhealthy. As far as the anti-inflammatory properties , perhaps it helps with this, but at the expense of a well balanced, nutritious diet. I would be scared to do this diet, personally. Good luck, and I know sometimes we just want to try anything to feel better!! Lori Renee

Did you read the medical article I sent with my post?

Ketosis is not a dangerous state, but ketoacidosis is. See https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324237.php

Do I have the wrong word in my head? They are similar. I will look at your article. Thanks! Lori Renee

Hi @steeldove From what I just read, both ketosis and ketoacidosis can be dangerous. However, it is not as common with Ketosis. I think the trick is not to go to overboard with extremes of dieting. Personally, I believe in the most current food pyramid for daily nutrition. I went from 200 to 155 lbs., eating everything but fried foods and all sweets. It was a slow, gradual, process, with exercise regularly. But we are thinking of the Keto diet for neuropathy. I know nothing about that. I have never had anything at all that works very well. Perhaps pain relief for some hours, but not long lasting in any way. Frankly, in a nasty frame of mind today with this neuropathy. Totally frustrated. Pain. Not a good day. Lori Renee

@steeldove @lorirenee1
For those with diabetes, ketosis can trigger ketoacidosis; the blood becomes too acidic, which can damage the liver, kidneys, and brain. Left untreated, it can be fatal.

I have been on the Paleo diet for 6 years. Although I believe it is good for your health, unfortunately it did not prevent my SFN. It is similar to the Ketogenic diet but more forgiving and more in line with our prehistoric ancestors' way of eating. I try to follow neurologist Daniel Perlmutter's recommendations and have read all his books. i.e "Grain Brain" and "Grain Maker". I love his cookbook also. Another book I highly recommend is "The Case Against Sugar" by Gary Taubes and also his previous book "Good Calories, Bad calories". I've shared the Audible versions of those last two with all my friends and family members who felt his ideas were life changing! Pam @burningfeetinphoenix

@burningfeetinphoenix A very wise doctor who was far ahead of his time back in the early 1980s prescribed a "caveman" diet, one which seems to have evolved into the paleo diet. I shall do more research on both paleo and ketogenic, but I find it interesting that research on the ketogenic seems to show that it can help with neuropathy pain.