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Nicola Tutera

Posted:

07/2025

In remission from

Bipolar 1 with moderate psychotic features

Started Journey

12/2024

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"I started keto, and I’ve been successfully tapering off my medications with less side effects and no breakthrough symptoms. I’m on the lowest dose I’ve ever been on and have remained stable. I now work full time and have primary custody of my kids."

My THINK + SMART Profile

Key Symptoms Addressed

No more paranoia or mania

My Top Three Strategies

No caffeine, weights, and vagus nerve stimulation

T H

Therapeutic

Cardiologist Dr Pradip Jimmadas is helping to heal my gut. My psychiatrist is finally on board to let me micro taper using a liquid suspension due to him knowing keto diet is now showing up in the research to help mental disorders. We follow guidelines of tapering according to the Taper Clinic guide available. About 5-10% every 4 weeks. I initially used a keto coach, Nicole Laurent, to help me dial in. I try to keep my ketones around 1. I have found that even if I get kicked out of ketosis it’s usually on the weekend when I choose to have more carbs in a single sitting. I have not had any issues but as my antipsychotic dose lowers I may need to be more strict on my carb consumption. I’m just listening to my body. I use a vagus nerve stimulator called Pulsetto at night before I go to bed for 10 min and this has taken the place of Sonata medication that I used to use for sleep.

I

Integration

Vitamin D3, lipid panel, Hgb A1C, fasting glucose. My Hgb A1C has already dropped from 5.2 to 4.9 in three months. I check my ketones when I try a new food and I’m not sure how my body will respond. I just ordered an Oura ring and Stelo CGM to see my trends. I eat the same foods often so I don’t need to test as much. Due to food sensitivities to dairy and avocado I’m struggling to find more fat sources to incorporate into my diet. Powdered MCT oil has been a help.

N

Nutritional

I keep my carbs between 20-50gm per day and sometimes a little higher on the weekends monitoring my symptoms. I’ve had to cut my alcohol to 1-2 drinks a week due to tachycardia at night when I drink more. I’ve had to cut out caffeine to help regulate my sleep. I try to stay away from any stimulants. I no longer count macros. I did experience hypomania when my carbs were below 20grams so I have preferred to stay around 30.

K

Ketosis

0.8-1.5. I test when I have new foods or my diet changes from my norm. Otherwise I’m Pretty consistent staying in ketosis. When I first started I tested daily. I do intermittent fasting.

S

Sleep

Morning: light, grounding, working out in the morning. At night: low light, magnesium glycinate if needed, and using my Pulsetto.

M

Move

Strength training and getting HR up in short bursts for 30-45 min at least 3 days a week.

A

Avoid

Had to kick my 14 year coffee habit to the curb. Now I drink decaf in the morning. I’ve had to lower my alcohol intake and may soon give it up completely.

R

Rebuild

I educate myself daily with podcasts on metabolic health and longevity. My goal is to buy a sauna and add red light therapy. I’m detoxing my body from mold and heavy metals. I want to optimize my health to the best I can and help others do the same. Having this diagnosis used to haunt me but now I’m liberated because I’m empowered to take charge of my health and be in the drivers seat. Now I’m more successful than ever and I have all the right support to help me in this journey.

T

Track

Oura ring, CGM, and Pulsetto

Helpful Links

Dr. Pradip Jimnadas