Therapeutic
Traditional treatment physicians failed me for 40 years, so I turned to naturopathic and functional medicine doctors to collaborate with me on this healing journey. I had already self-tapered off of psychiatric medications in 2015, 2 years prior to starting ketogenic carnivore therapy. The side effects from said medications were unbearable and the 15+ medications over the course of 30 years never reduced any of my mental illness symptoms.
Integration
In 2017, there was no guidance or resources to check ketones. I did a full 84 point panel of bloodwork and again after my healing and again in 2019 to assure myself that biomarkers reflected how great I felt mentally & physically. I researched brain dysfunction and neurotransmitter health supplements and used them as support/complementary to ketogenic carnivore nutrition for brain and cognition. Magnesium threonate, GABA, 5-HTP, iodine drops, methyl B12 sublinguals, L-theanine, tyrosine, carnitine, choline and glycine.
Nutritional
The 1st year to gain complete brain dysfunction healing I followed a ketogenic lion diet of beef only. Years 2 to the present, I follow a ketogenic carnivore diet including all animal foods, all animal fats. i.e. beef, bison, eggs, pork, seafood, poultry and animal fats of ghee, tallow, lard & duck fat. It is a pleasure and freedom to eat this way after abstaining from all animal foods for 35 years. There is no issue with adherence. I eat what makes me feel fantastic. I eat 2 large meals within a 4 hour window and fast for 20 hours each day. I get the best of both worlds of the healing power of ketosis with the healing power of feasting at meals. I would adjust eating windows for family/holiday gatherings, bring food with me if need be, order extra meat items and request animal fats at restaurant gatherings. Being prepared is the key to relaxation, enjoyment and success. Using a ketogenic carnivore diet, I never needed to track carbs. I do not consume dairy, so I had hardly any carbs. I would track protein and fat every few weeks to make sure I was increasing both, in order to not only heal mental illness but also to reverse hypothyroid, Ehlers-Danlos and osteoporosis with protocols I developed. Those physical illnesses require both high protein & high fat to go into remission.
Ketosis
In 2017, there was no information on tracking ketones, nor were there over the counter monitors. I knew I was in ketosis based on intermittent fasting, the carnivore diet devoid of carbs and how amazing I felt each day. My mental & physical improvements were my evidence that I was in ketosis.
