The diet industry in the United States is worth billions of dollars. From books to pills to cellulite creams, people are always looking for ways to lose weight, look better naked, and say goodbye to chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, brain fog, and the dozens of other health issues that have become so common today.
There’s one very important factor most diets don’t take into consideration: You. The individual.
The New York Times bestselling author whose book is selling like crazy does not know your personal health situation. That’s why you have to be careful and always get individual support when you have chronic symptoms you want to fix up.
IMPORTANT: The nutrients and minerals you need depend on your individual biochemistry and food requirements. There is no formula or blueprint that works for everyone, or even “most people.”
As a functional and integrative medicine physician with over 20 years of experience, I’ve had hundreds of clients come in with nutrient deficiencies caused by their restrictive, “healthy” diet. That’s why I’m suspicious of any diet that eliminates an entire food group, like carbs.
Because so many people are on a diet these days, only about 25% of the population is getting all the nutrients they need to be healthy and live a full life without feeling exhausted 24/7.
Today I want to cover a big concern I have about a popular diet that everyone and their mom seems to be on right now: The Ketogenic aka Keto Diet.
The problem with this diet is that it may cause dangerously low levels of thiamine (aka vitamin B1) in some people. Thiamine is a non-negotiable vitamin you need for proper nerve, brain, muscle, and heart function.
Why does The Keto Diet cause low thiamine levels in some people?
Keto may lead to low thiamine levels because it’s a grain-free diet, and whole grains are an essential source of thiamine.
Legumes, another great source of thiamine, are also off the table when you’re on a keto diet. You can get some thiamine from meat and fish, but they don’t come close to thiamine-rich whole grains and legumes.
What happens next?
Since thiamine heavily influences nerve and brain function, low thiamine levels are a precursor for dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Today, Alzheimer’s is the #6 cause of death in the US, and 5.8 million Americans are living with this heartbreaking disease.
But that’s not all: 200,000 people UNDER age 65 have early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s.
What could be the cause of some of these cases, especially in people under 65?! Low thiamine. And so many younger people love their keto diet.
Don’t get me wrong – I know people who are thriving on keto, but it just does not work for everyone.
If you’re dealing with the following symptoms, you might have low levels of thiamine…
- Brain fog
- Poor memory
- Tingling
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability
- Muscle cramps
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