Food as Medicine to Address and Overcome Mood Disorders

Thanks @LeeAase! I downloaded the Cronometer app mentioned by @rjwilliams in the LCHF discussion ( https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-carb-healthy-fat-living-intermittent-fasting-whats-your-why/) and haven't quite got started with figuring out how to lower the carbs or what target I should be using for the daily amount of carbs. I happened to have a really good day yesterday and a new weight low this morning of 209.2. I had my Mayo Clinic overnight refrigerator oatmeal tweaked a little by using 1/2 of one of my homemade yogurts (your recipe!), 2 tbsp of unsweetened applesauce, 1/2 cup rolled oats, about 4 oz of 2% milk and topped with a handful of fresh blueberries and a few strawberries. Then when I put the recipe into the chronometer app it told me it was 26 carbs. That was breakfast then I had 1/2 cup of riced broccoli, an egg salad sandwich and 4 sausage links for my last meal. Then I had one of my wife's homemade bars with more calories than I want to count. I normally only plan my breakfast since my wife is already at work when I eat. The intermittent fasting has gotten me here but it really slowed down when I set my new goal of 200 lbs. I do think lowering the carbs and eating more fat is the answer. I just need to figure out what daily carb amount works best and plan my meals a little better.

@johnbishop @LeeAase I just downloaded the Zero App and the Cronometer App based on your recommendations. I'm technologically challenged, so I really on advice from folks like you. Since both of you have been so successful, it gives me inspiration. Thanks. Lee - it was really interesting to read about the fasting journey you and your wife have been on. I've been having no trouble fasting 20 hours and eating during the four hour eating window the past week. Sometimes I'm not even hungry after 20 hours. I think the Pique Fasting Teas really suppress my appetite and give me more energy, which is pretty amazing. Dr Fung has held 2 Q&A zoom talks with my Pique Tea IF group, and my thinking that longer fasts were dangerous has totally changed. Knowledge is power! Thus, next week I'll add in a longer fast to break things up and try the Zero App. Dr.Will Cole, a leading functional medical practitioner, talked to us too. He just released a new book called Intuitive Fasting. I think I'm going to like it and signed up for a four week IF fasting program with people who had bought his book. Totally changing eating habits of 74 years is difficult, so it is great to join a group to interact with and learn from. Both of these groups have a facebook group, so I had to join facebook, sigh, and figure out how to post. I should be able to loose weight in six weeks of being in supportive IF groups and really get a handle on how to join IF with keto. Luckily keto has a calculator to figure out how many carbs, fat and protein grams I should eat, but I sympathize with John's question of how many carbs he sound be eating. Having these apps will help me figure how many of each I've eaten, which will be a big help. My carbohydrate target is 20 grams a day, which isn't many. I just noticed there is another thread about IF and HFLC and will start following that too. Happy almost spring! Nancy

It's great to hear you're having no problem with the 20 hours of fasting. Zero app is pretty simple because it's just one button. It's either timing how long you have been fasting (or how long you have remaining), or else how long it has been since your last fast. I will be interested to see how you like it.

Colleen, Have you heard of " Internal anxiety - that's not caused by physical circumstances- but from muscles spasms. Its something I've been working with my Parkinson's doctor every couple months-as it increases at times when I try to sleep. I'm told its part of the movement disorder many Parkinson's patience's faces- along with the Parkinson's side affects and the constant ( body moving 24/7). I hope I explained this right- I see my Doctor again next week- he teaches once a month on line- and where anyone can ask questions. Thank you. John South

@johnjames, so good to hear from you. Our paths haven't crossed or some time. I had not heard of internal anxiety, but that makes sense. I'm sure the members of the Parkinson's group would love to hear from you too. Please post a hello and an update over here:
- Living with Parkinson's Disease - Meet others & come say hi https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-parkinsons-disease-meet-others-come-say-hi/

Would like to know if somebody had to adjust the antidepressant while starting to have extra energy from the keto diet. I am experiencing an extra boost on energy after starting ketosis? I am on the green keto diet for mental clarity and mood.

Hello @lorena1egas, Here is an article that may provide information to help answer your question. It does include a Tips section that gives you some things to try if you haven't already seen it.

- Does the Keto Diet Cause or Relieve Depression?: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/keto-depression

Yes, food makes a big difference with our health. And why wouldn't it.

I'm no expert on this stuff, but I'd say that one needs to think of food as what you have daily. Anotherwords, what foods trigger issues? I learned during the 1990's that I needed to just give up certain foods permanently....for me, it's dairy, eggs, poultry, refined sugar, sodas, wine, caffaine (except alittle dark choc. due to weak heart). Pigs ....whole wheat. Some causes may be allergy etc. Don't know. Nightshades (inflammatory), tomatoes, potatoes, peppers etc. I also did a breadday fast for about 5 years. Only plane white bread, water, coffee on Monday and Wednesday until 5pm, then normal meal. This cooled my appetite. Never ate alot of fat. And snacks rather than big meals works for me. Also yoga, massage, prayer etc. Just put together what works for you!!

I'm have switched as an MD to Functional Medicine. And came off of 8 drugs my Neurologist prescribed. I only use Stevia for sweet. I was allergy blood tested. And found a couple of nuts. But the biggies. Dairy (cow) butter and cheese. All Gluten. And Meats. I heavy supplement and Vitamin D. Try only organic. And my old traumatic brain injury migraines are stopped cold by PharmaGaba. 100 mg chewable before bed. During the day if I get any of whose wierd (scotoma), sparkling lights in my Right visual field. I will take another PharmaGaba. Do EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique.) and in less than 20 minutes I'm back to normal. I totally concur with what Functional Medicine is doing. I take Armour Thyroid. DHEA, Pregnenolone, Testosterone and nightly Melatonin. My sleep still is iffy. Got and OURA Ring to track a lot of stuff. I connected because I'd still like other things to help me fall asleep and stay asleep. I use Progesterone which helps some.