Liza Davia Elder profile image

Liza Davia Elder

Started Journey
05/2024
Recovered From
Major depression
Key Symptoms Addressed
Crying, anger, hopelessness, fatigue, brain fog, and stomach pain.
Top Three Strategies
Whole foods, keto, and sleep.
Last Updated 12/2025

Liza's Story

T
H

Therapeutic

I did not use a medical provider during this journey other than to manage a sleep medication (trazodone) that I'd already been taking for a few years. But my medication wasn't affected.

I

Integration

I had no baseline tests, but I've since learned that I'm something of a lean-mass hyper responder. I take magnesium to manage foot cramps, which were happening even before I went keto.

N

Nutritional

I border on underweight, so I don't fast beyond 16 hours. I often eat between 9 am and 9 pm, but frequently with a tighter window (ie 10-7). When I began the GAPS diet, I didn't know that I was in ketosis. About six months into the diet, I put my daily intake into Cronometer and realized how ketogenic my diet was. After about a year with my carbs typically under 50g per day, I am now able to regularly tolerate about 75g per day. I eat only natural fats (no industrial seed oils).

K

Ketosis

I did not test my ketones until about a year into my diet, and I don't test frequently. When I do, I'm usually .5-1.1 mmol/L. I suspect when I first began this diet, my ketones were much higher.

S

Sleep

I guard my sleep jealously! I go to bed at the same time each night, and wake up at the same time each morning. I take trazodone to help, and it was a lifesaver. I'm not sure a ketogenic diet would have been so successful if I hadn't solidified my sleep first. I also try to be outside for an hour or so each day at a minimum and turn the lights down in the evening.

M

Move

I was always an avid exerciser. I'm at the gym a few days each week and I have a zwift and a rower at home. I actually prefer more natural movements (ie working outside) and am active by nature.

A

Avoid

Mostly, I need to stay away from sugar foods and anything processed. For me, even if something is "keto" but it's processed, it will often give me headaches or stomach aches. Even heavy cream, if it's not organic, I can't eat it because it contains additives. I also do not eat any grains (especially wheat and corn). I quit alcohol many years ago and still must abstain.

R

Rebuild

Within weeks of changing my diet, I applied to graduate school for nutrition. I had always wanted to go back for a graduate degree. Had I chosen to go back at a different point in my life, I know I would have survived, but it would not have been without cost. Now I'm thriving. My brain is able to handle the workload and stress effortlessly. It almost doesn't matter how stressful the week is. I am able to perform at the top. I am incredibly happy to finally be able to put my brain to good use and use it for GOOD! I know that when I graduate and am licensed as an RDN, I will be able to help others in ways they never thought possible, thanks to ketogenic strategies.

T

Track

None. I occaisionally check my ketones, but mostly out of curiosity. Now that I have a lipid panel done, I can track that, but I am curious to have a fractionated panel done. Thankfully my provider isn't too concerned about my numbers - HDL 124, LDL 120.

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