{"id":10179,"date":"2022-02-11T14:00:29","date_gmt":"2022-02-11T22:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=10179"},"modified":"2022-02-11T10:59:31","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T18:59:31","slug":"a-lifetime-of-horrible-and-bizarre-intrusive-thoughts-eliminated-by-a-low-carb-high-fat-diet-not-as-strict-as-keto-a-case-study-and-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/a-lifetime-of-horrible-and-bizarre-intrusive-thoughts-eliminated-by-a-low-carb-high-fat-diet-not-as-strict-as-keto-a-case-study-and-research\/","title":{"rendered":"A lifetime of horrible and bizarre intrusive thoughts eliminated by a low carb\/high fat diet (not as strict as keto) – a case study and research"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"intrusive<\/p>\n

Intrusive thoughts are a symptom of anxiety, are more common than you\u2019d expect and it\u2019s not just you who experiences them. Today\u2019s case study illustrates the power of diet: a low carb\/high fat diet (not as strict as keto) completely eliminated a lifetime of horrible and bizarre intrusive thoughts for one woman. Read examples of her actual intrusive thoughts below and check out the supporting research and other case studies.<\/p>\n

Ruthie suffered from intrusive thoughts as a child and most of her adult life, and assumed everyone did too. As a child, she would share some of her bizarre thoughts with other children, and they would stare at her and tell their parents. Her own parents became extremely concerned believing she might do one of these bizarre things. Her husband would sometimes look at her in horror when she asked certain questions. As an adult, she was told she was \u201cunusual in a nice sort of way-haha!<\/em>\u201d This is how she described some of her intrusive thoughts:<\/p>\n

They took the form of either myself or family members doing horrible\/bizzare things or I would get in the car to go someplace and imagine one of the other drivers on the road doing something bizarre and my mind would follow it right through to the end result of what the individual caused to happen. I would arrive at my destination not remembering any part of my drive, my mind was so busy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

She goes on to share some of her postpartum experience with intrusive thoughts:<\/p>\n

Everyone thought I had postpartum depression with my first child but it was the intrusive thoughts that had put me into a panic regarding her care. It was wonderful when a therapist told me it was the intrusive thought component of OCD and I could put a name to it.<\/p>\n

It was the greatest delight of my life, when both children grew bigger and stronger than me so I knew, even though I knew I would never hurt them, they had the chance to defend themselves!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For her, eating high fat\/low carb has eliminated her lifetime of intrusive thoughts:<\/p>\n

Fast forward to discovering the low carb\/high fat (LCHF) eating plan (not as strict as keto) and my intrusive thoughts have been gone for almost 2 years now (unless I become overtired).<\/p>\n

It is a simply horrid disorder to have. I am just glad now it is well known but it really upsets me that it is being treated with dangerous psychotropic drugs that can do more harm than good when diet changes could be the solution.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I asked if she had ever used GABA or tryptophan (covered in part 1<\/a>) or any other nutrients during any of the really bad periods and if any of it had helped. She shared that tryptophan gave her dreams that were too vivid and \u201cby the time I was aware of GABA as a possibility, I had changed my diet and my problems had basically been resolved<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also confirmed her LCHF diet is predominantly gluten\/grain free except the occasional splurge. I suspect these splurges may contribute to her feeling overtired and factor into her intrusive thoughts showing up again.<\/p>\n

These are powerful results and I\u2019m thrilled for her. I also appreciate her willingness to share and for allowing me to include her story.<\/p>\n

A low carb\/high fat (LCHF) \/ Ketogenic diet study<\/h2>\n

Most of the LCHF diet research focuses on weight loss and improvement of metabolic markers for conditions like diabetes. However, there is some promising new research on mental health.<\/p>\n

This 2020 paper is one example – Ketogenic Diet: A Dietary Modification as an Anxiolytic Approach?<\/a><\/p>\n

Diets with low amounts of carbohydrate consumption (low-carb) seem promising both for weight mass optimization among mentally ill patients and for their possible anxiolytic effect.<\/p>\n

A diet is characterized as being low-carb high-fat (LCHF) when fat comprises >70% of the daily calorie consumption, with sugars [or carbs] being 5\u201315%, and the rest of the calorie intake being made up of proteins.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This paper discusses anxiety and the role of serotonin, GABA\/glutamate imbalance, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and elevated cortisol, inflammation and oxidative stress, the microbiome and leaky gut.<\/p>\n

It also covers some ways LCHF diets may reduce anxiety: via impacts on the microbiome (with GABA being produced by good bacteria in the gut), by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and by providing omega-3 fatty acids and healthy oils (such as olive oil). The inclusion of real whole foods (i.e. no processed junk foods) with quality protein and zinc-rich foods such as oysters, low glycemic index carbohydrates and leafy greens as a source of magnesium, all contribute too.<\/p>\n

The authors do mention canola oil which I do not recommend. And contrary to their mention of egg whites, I recommend the entire egg.<\/p>\n

Their conclusion includes these statements:<\/p>\n

In our mind, the LCHF diet is a promising, well-accepted diet regimen which has an impact on anxiety disorders\u2026<\/p>\n

The evidence mentioned in this paper should encourage psychiatrists to recommend LCHF diets as advice somewhere between psychotherapy and pharmacology, or as an add-on to those two.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And I\u2019ll add this: let\u2019s consider LCHF instead of psychotherapy and pharmacology. As you heard Ruthie share above and as you\u2019ll read below, diet changes alone can have profound effects.<\/p>\n

Dietary changes alone can be profound for many folks<\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve blogged extensively about diet in the past: ketogenic diets, the omnivore or Paleo diet and grain-free diets. Diet provides the foundation of any anxiety nutritional program but many people don\u2019t realize or acknowledge that dietary changes alone can be profound for many folks.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll typically hear something like this: \u201cMy anxiety [or depression or intrusive thoughts] are too severe for only diet to make a difference. I\u2019m someone who really does need medication.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

As you\u2019ll see below, diet alone can make a huge difference and is often the only thing that needs to change:<\/p>\n