Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about ketosis or mental health?
This page gives clear answers, trusted resources, and practical guidance. Learn how metabolic health and brain function are connected.
The ketogenic diet is a way of eating that lowers insulin and raises blood ketone levels. As a result, the body shifts from burning glucose to burning fat for fuel. This state is called ketosis.
The body can run on either sugar (glucose) or fat (ketones). However, high sugar intake raises insulin levels. In contrast, lowering sugar intake reduces insulin and encourages fat burning. More specifically, the body begins producing ketones for energy.
(Check out books below by Dr Georgia Ede; Dr Boz and Dr Ben Bikman for more information).
Why do you advertise Keto or Low carb or Therapeutic Carbohydrate Restriction?
Not everyone needs to be in Ketosis for mental health. Some people benefit from eating a resticted carbohydrate diet sometimes referred to as Dirty Keto.
One of the best resources in the UK on Low Carbohydrate High Fat eating and the research to back this up would be found on Dr Zoë Harcombe’s wesbite
If you are interested in learning more with courses and structured education, we highly recommend the following companies:
If you are interested in low carb then I highly recommend
Giving up sugar is not easy and that is why it is so very popular. Switching to a Keto Diet will certainly help, especially if you can do it without sweeteners. However, there are people who can help:
Two incredible pioneers in this field are Bitten Jonsson RN and Dr Joan Iffland I cannot recommend them enough, you can check out their website, podcasts and support groups and keep an eye out for the upcoming release of Sugar Bomb in Your Brain.
You are not alone, it’s not your fault and you deserve support.
There is growing evidence to show that a properly managed Ketogenic Diet could help some people with these conditions.
The Baszucki Foundation created Metabolic Mind, a non-profit platform. It shares scientific research, clinical insights, and real recovery stories. As a result, it is a valuable starting point for learning more:
www.metabolicmind.org
Dr Rachel Brown, UK based Psychiatrist and Metabolic Health specialist – Dr. Rachel’s approach targets the root cause of illness, combining cutting-edge science with ethical, patient-centred care. She is known for challenging the conventional model, empowering clients to reclaim their health through personalised, evidence-based interventions.
Finding UK-friendly keto resources can feel challenging at first. However, there are plenty of wonderful options available.
My good friend Richard Smith has a company called The Keto Pro. His website has both a shopping list section and a recipe section. If you wish to buy any products on his website, use code HEATHER10 at checkout to get 10% discount.
The Charity Matthews Friends is also full of free recipes and great advice.
Many people worry about giving up bread on a ketogenic diet. Fortunately, low-carb alternatives now exist.
Low Carb Food Co produces bread made with only five ingredients. Most importantly, it does not kick you out of ketosis. I have personally tested and after eating two slices checked my ketones and glucose 1 and 2 hours after eating, and my numbers did not change.
The books I have read and highly recommend are:
- Dr Georgia Ede – Change your diet, Change your Mind
- Dr Chris Palmer – Brain Energy
- Dr Annette Bosworth – Keto Continuum
- Dr Annette Bosworth – Anyway you can
- Dr Robert Lustig – Metabolical
- Volek & Phinney – The art and science of Low carbohydrate performance
- Volek & Phinney – The Art and Science of Low carbohydrate living
- Dr Ben Bikman – Why we get sick
- Crawford and Marsh – The Shrinking Brain
- Judy Cho – The Carnivore Cure
- Weston A Price – Nutrition and Physical Degeneration
- Dr Eric Westman – End your carb confusion
- Gary Taubes – Why we get fat
- DR Zoë Harcombe – The Obesity Epidemic, plus many more books
- Nutrition Network – Ketogenic: The Science of therapeutic Carbohydrate restriction in human health
Amazon affiliate link – https://amzn.to/4bSrpPU
There are many companies that provide supplements and foods that can help you transition to this way of eating. As well as those mentioned already, there are other brands I can recommend, having tried their products:
In the UK we are delighted to have a fantastic compamy that works closely with the NHS and provide ready meals and snacks for the Ketogenic diet.
and their sister company