Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast

Let’s talk about alternative sweeteners. Trying alternative sweeteners when starting the ketogenic diet can make the transition much easier. Notice I said alternative sweeteners and not artificial sweeteners. While alternative sweeteners aren’t completely natural, they are less artificial and less harmful than artificial sweeteners. Keto snacks and desserts often have different kinds of alternative or artificial sweeteners. Trying keto snacks and keto desserts isn’t a bad thing, but it’s crucial to check the ingredients. Just because it’s labeled “keto” doesn’t make it healthy. Out of all of the sweeteners, erythritol and xylitol* are two of the best. But it’s still better to only consume small amounts. Monk fruit and stevia are also great options. However, with stevia, it’s important to make sure that the product doesn’t also contain maltodextrin. Maltodextrin is higher on the glycemic index than sugar. Maltitol, agave nectar, and functional fibers should also be avoided. Including too much of these sugar alcohols (even the good ones) in your diet can cause bloating, fluid retention, diarrhea, and can upset the gut microbiome. They may also prevent you from getting rid of cravings. I think sugar alternatives are great to help a person transition off of consuming sugar and for an occasional treat—but they shouldn’t be consumed on a regular basis. *Pet owners should keep in mind that certain alternative sweeteners, like xylitol, can be highly toxic to animals. Sugar alternatives can be found in a wide range of products and may go by different names. It’s best to keep these types of products far out of reach from your pets. DATA: https://alexleaf.com/isomalto-oligosa...

Magnesium comes in many different forms. Today, I want to cover magnesium threonate or magnesium L-threonate. This is a specific type of magnesium. Threonate transports magnesium across the blood-brain barrier to the hippocampus. The hippocampus is involved in memory, learning, focus, and concentration. People typically take magnesium L-threonate when they want to support the brain. A magnesium deficiency can lead to various issues related to the brain and throughout the body. Benefits of magnesium L-threonate: • It may help reduce worry and anxiety (especially when trying to sleep) • It may help decrease neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration • It’s a calcium regulator and antagonist • It helps maintain and support the blood-brain barrier • It can act as an antioxidant • It helps support BDNF • It may help with androgenic alopecia If you want to use magnesium to support the brain, I would use magnesium threonate. To support other issues like cramping or fatigue or to support the heart, I would take magnesium glycinate. Magnesium citrate can be helpful as well, especially to help prevent kidney stones. DATA: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

Let’s talk about vitamin A—the benefits of vitamin A and the dark side. Vitamin A is a non-keratinizing vitamin. Keratinization is a condition that causes skin issues. Both a vitamin A deficiency and excess vitamin A can affect the internal and external skin in many ways. Vitamin A is involved in supporting the immune system as well. There is an association between vitamin A deficiency and autoimmune conditions like Graves’ and Hashimoto’s. Vitamin A also allows iodine to be absorbed. Signs of vitamin A deficiency: • Poor night vision • Blindness • Dry eyes • Poor immunity • Skin problems • Bone issues Signs of too much vitamin A: • Abnormal bone formation • Dry lips • Dry skin • Double vision • Alopecia • Oily skin • Peeling skin • Heart valve calcification • Hypercalcemia • Intracranial pressure Vitamin A toxicity is rare, but taking a synthetic vitamin A supplement may increase your risk. Synthetic vitamin A may also increase the risk of lung cancer. Accutane, a form of synthetic vitamin A, has serious potential side effects. I suggest getting your vitamin A from food sources or natural food-based supplements. Foods high in vitamin A (retinol): • Cod liver oil • Egg yolks • Grass-fed butter • Grass-fed cheese • Liver Beta carotene is the precursor to the active form of vitamin A (retinol). Beta carotene is in foods like carrots and spinach. But, if you’re relying on beta carotene alone to get your vitamin A or if you have a liver or gallbladder issue, you could be deficient in vitamin A.

Let’s talk about the first sign of methylcobalamin deficiency. Methylcobalamin is vitamin B12, and it’s essential for DNA, red blood cells, and your myelin sheath. Vitamin B12 also helps support your spinal column and brain. If you’re deficient in vitamin B12, you could experience tingling, numbness, or burning sensations. Other signs of vitamin B12 deficiency can include: • Chronic pain • Depression • Muscle wasting • Blurry vision • Tinnitus • Anemia • Mouth ulcers • Sore throat • Hair loss You could also experience symptoms if you have too much vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 toxicity will typically occur if you’re taking too much synthetic vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)—not the natural version (methylcobalamin). Cyanocobalamin can build up in the body and cause symptoms such as: • Acne • Palpitations • Anxiety • Red cheeks • Headaches • Insomnia • Akathisia • Suicidal thoughts You could be deficient in vitamin B12 long before you start to feel any effects. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t damage being done. One of the first symptoms you would eventually feel is extreme fatigue. Foods high in vitamin B12 are animal products. There is no vitamin B12 in plants. Top causes of vitamin B12 deficiency: • Malabsorption • Plant-based or vegan diets • Gastric bypass • Atrophy of the stomach • Gastritis • H. pylori infection • Ulcers • Inflammation in the intestines • Aspirin • Alcohol • Junk foods • Antibiotics • Antacids or PPIs • Birth control pills • Pregnancy • Lactation • Smoking • Polymorphism

There are obvious foods that can kill you, like refined sugar and carbs—but that’s not what we're going to talk about today. Today, I’m going to cover six surprising foods that can kill you and a few potential natural antidotes. The top deadliest foods: 1. Pufferfish (fugu) 2. Death cap mushroom 3. Korean baby octopus 4. Green potatoes 5. Raw chicken 6. Foods containing cyanide: • The seeds or pits of apples, peaches, pears, and apricots • Bitter almonds • Cassava It’s best to avoid any of the above at all costs. If you do somehow consume death cap mushrooms, milk thistle and NAC are two potential antidotes that may help. Methylene blue is another potential antidote that has been used to help counter cyanide poisoning. DATA: https://www.britannica.com/story/7-of... https://news.ucsc.edu/2017/03/mitchel... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

Sticking to keto and intermittent fasting is the best way to meet your health goals. But, if you make a mistake on keto, it’s not the end of the world. Today, I’m going to share how to block the effects of sugar and carbs, as well as other potentially problematic things. 1. Sugar • Consume fiber • Take electrolytes, B vitamins, and trace minerals 2. Grains • Consume shellfish • Take glutamine or consume foods high in glutamine • Consume B vitamins (nutritional yeast) • Take vitamin E • Consume foods high in vitamin C • Consume foods high in antioxidants • Take benfotiamine • Take alpha-lipoic acid • Exercise • Take berberine • Consume cinnamon • Consume apple cider vinegar • Consume healthy fats • Do intermittent and prolonged fasting 3. Alcohol • Consume vitamin B1 or nutritional yeast • Drink pickle juice or take electrolytes • Take milk thistle 4. Certain medications • Take milk thistle • Take CoQ10 (if you’re on a statin) • Take vitamin B1 and B12 (if you’re on metformin) • Take a probiotic (if you take an antibiotic) • Take betaine hydrochloride (if you took an antacid) 5. Excess sodium • Consume foods high in potassium 6. Oxalates • Consume cheese • Consume foods high in magnesium 7. Excess water • Consume sodium and other electrolytes 8. Keto and IF side effects • Take electrolytes • Consume B vitamins 9. Stress • Take vitamin B1, magnesium, and zinc • Exercise and physical work • Sleep

Today, we’re going to talk about the best natural things to do for difficulty breathing, air hunger, or dyspnea. Traditionally, people may have heard of this symptom being caused by asthma, pneumonia, COPD, lung infection, anemia, or a heart condition. But what if you rule these conditions out and still have problems breathing? This is called pseudo-dyspnea. With pseudo-dyspnea, you may feel better with exercise and worse with rest. Top causes of pseudo-dyspnea (difficulty breathing) and natural remedies: 1. Silent reflux Natural solutions: • Chlorophyll • Wheatgrass juice powder • Betaine hydrochloride (if there isn’t irritation to the gut or esophagus) • Apple cider vinegar diluted in water and consumed through a straw (if there isn’t irritation to the gut or esophagus) 2. Alkalosis Natural solutions: • Betaine hydrochloride (if there isn’t irritation to the gut or esophagus) • Apple cider vinegar diluted in water and consumed through a straw (if there isn’t irritation to the gut or esophagus) • Healthy Keto® and intermittent fasting • TUDCA 3. Costochondritis Natural support: • Massaging and stretching the spine • Using a mobility stick 4. COVID Natural support: • Thiamine (vitamin B1) DATA: ▶️ • Shortness of Breath / Air Hunger / Si... https://www.hormonesmatter.com/recove...

Let’s talk about what happens to your body when you drink soda. In a ten-ounce soda, there are up to ten teaspoons of sugar. Instead of cane sugar, soda companies are also using high-fructose corn syrup. High-fructose corn syrup can create even more problems than cane sugar, especially for the liver. The effects of fructose on the liver are actually similar to the effects of alcohol on the liver. Fructose creates more fat than glucose, and it doesn’t satisfy. Fructose can potentially lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The high-fructose corn syrup combined with caffeine in soda may lead to issues with your blood pressure, heart, brain, bones, and kidneys. Soda is also a key contributor to childhood obesity. The sugar in soda feeds unfriendly bacteria, yeast, and fungus. It can also suppress your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections. This can lead to other issues, including increased tumor growth. It’s crucial to point out that cancer thrives on sugar. Sugary drinks also block vitamin C and deplete vitamin B1 and vitamin D. Soft drinks are associated with over 180,000 deaths worldwide. But combining soda with a fast food meal is an even deadlier situation. DATA: https://www.princeton.edu/news/2010/0... https://usrtk.org/sweeteners/beverage... https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsp... https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritio... https://usrtk.org/food-related-diseas...

Let’s talk about what would happen if you went two weeks with less than five hours of sleep each night. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep is the best way to support a healthy body. But many people aren’t getting enough quality sleep. There are so many health benefits of sleep. This is when our bodies recover, burn fat, and detoxify the most. Here are the top side effects of not getting enough sleep: • Fatigue • Mood changes • Poor cognitive function (with memory, focus, concentration) • Sympathetic hyperactivity • An increased risk of cardiovascular problems, stroke, and diabetes • Weight gain • Fatty liver • Immune system impairment • Poor recovery from injury, stress, or exercise If you have sleep apnea or you're a heavy snorer, you may experience an imbalance of oxygen and CO2, which can cause poor sleep. Other potential severe side effects of sleep apnea can include: • Brain atrophy • Increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular incidents, stroke, and diabetes There are many different natural things you can try for sleep apnea. Check out my other videos for more information. What to do if you’re not getting enough sleep: 1. Take a nap 2. Keep your room cool (between 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit) and leave your window open if possible 3. Try to keep the humidity in your room at 50% 4. Turn off all electronics in your room when you’re sleeping 5. Don’t overeat or undereat in the evening, and make sure to consume enough protein 6. Don’t eat too late in the evening 7. As it gets dark, start dimming the lights and avoiding blue light

I’ve done a lot of videos on cortisol, especially as it relates to the adrenal body type or adrenal glands. But I haven’t done a video on the foods that lower cortisol. That’s what we’re going to talk about today. Of course, there are a lot of benefits to reducing cortisol, but we’re not going to get into that today. Instead, I want to cover the foods that can help you lower cortisol naturally. Cortisol adapts the body to a stress state. It's important to note that the body doesn’t know the difference between mental stress and physical stress. A high level of sugar in your blood affects cortisol and adrenaline. In other words, consuming sugar, refined carbs, and starches keeps you in stress mode. On the flip side, the Healthy Keto® diet and intermittent fasting help lower cortisol and promote a sense of calm. The best foods to lower cortisol and stress: 1. Egg yolks 2. Organ meats 3. Nutritional yeast or sunflower seeds 4. Dark leafy green vegetables 5. Salmon and other fatty fish 6. Probiotics and fermented foods (sauerkraut, kefir, pickles, kimchi) DATA: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... https://link.springer.com/article/10....

Today, I’m going to share one of the best ways to reduce stress. It can also help those who struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. This simple stress-release technique works fast, is free, and has many health benefits. It will help balance the parasympathetic nervous system, which is all about “rest and digest.” This easy breathing technique is based on a book called Heart Coherence 365. What you need to remember is 365, which stands for: • 3 times a day • 6 breaths per minute • 5 minutes Three times a day, you’re going to take six breaths per minute for five minutes. It’s important to make sure you take deep, even breaths through your nose using your stomach. You should feel your diaphragm going out and in. This breathing technique for stress can also help improve HRV (heart rate variability). HRV has a lot to do with your health and fitness reserves. An HRV (heart rate variability) device can help you better understand and improve your health and nervous system balance. DATA: https://www.amazon.com/Heart-coherenc...

Let’s talk about how to stop period pain or menstrual cramps. With period cramps, you experience cramping in the lower part of the body. It’s the uterus itself that’s cramping or contracting, which can cause a painful period. A great way to get instant relief from menstrual cramps is to try stretching. To do this stretch, you need to lay on your stomach and push your hands into the ground straightening your arms and stretching your back. However, to get to the root cause of the issue and get rid of menstrual cramps, we need to lower a chemical in the body called prostaglandins. People will typically use ibuprofen to lower prostaglandins. But ibuprofen has side effects. Thankfully, there are natural alternatives you can try to help lower prostaglandins. The best natural remedies for menstrual cramps: 1. Cinnamon 2. Vitamin D3, calcium, and magnesium 3. Omega-3 fatty acids (cod liver oil) DATA: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

Today, I want to cover the symptoms of a vitamin B6 deficiency you may have never heard of before. “They” say it’s rare to become deficient in vitamin B6. However, it’s possible to have a subclinical B6 deficiency that still affects your well-being, even if it’s not a full-blown vitamin B6 deficiency. Vitamin B6 is important to support a healthy body. Typically, there are no side effects of taking vitamin B6 if you take less than 200 mg daily. If you take too much vitamin B6, you could experience toxicity effects. However, you would have to consume over 1000 mg of vitamin B6 per day to cause any issues. Foods rich in vitamin B6 are: • Beef • Pork • Fish • Chicken It’s pretty well-known that if you have low vitamin B6, you may experience symptoms, including: • Rashes around the nose • Cracks or rashes around the mouth • Pink eye • Anemia • Neurological problems • Numbness in the hands and feet • Depression Surprising symptoms of a vitamin B6 deficiency: 1. Inflammation (especially gut inflammation) 2. Inability to control polyunsaturated fatty acids 3. Deficiencies in neurotransmitters 4. Inability to convert ALA to DHA 5. Poor selenium function 6. Inability to convert tryptophan to niacin 7. Alopecia 8. Seizures 9. High homocysteine levels 10. Increased risk of autism 11. Increased risk of gut pathogens Causes of vitamin B6 deficiency: • Processed foods • Diuretics • Blood pressure medications • Antibiotics • Birth control pills • Alcohol • Pregnancy or lactation • Smoking • Herbicides • Ginkgo biloba DATA: https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentr... https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/1...

Today, I’m going to cover the root causes of inflammation. Being in practice for thirty years gave me the opportunity to see a wide range of different cases and causes of inflammation—things you won’t find on Google. Top causes of inflammation: 1. A gallbladder issue or bile sludge 2. Vitamin D deficiency 3. Stress or loss 4. Ingredients in restaurant foods 5. Sugar, grains, gluten, and seed oils 6. Unhealthy keto snacks 7. Visceral fat 8. High iron levels 9. Alcohol 10. Food allergies and food intolerances 11. Frequent eating 12. Oxalates and lectins in vegetables The best natural ways to get rid of inflammation: • Get on the Healthy Keto® diet • Start intermittent fasting • Take vitamin D3 • Consume glutamine as a supplement or from red meat or cabbage (if you have gut inflammation) DATA: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

Let’s talk about why it’s so difficult for women to lose belly fat after menopause—and what to do about this issue. When a woman goes through menopause, her ovaries no longer produce or release eggs. This big change leads to a cascade of other changes. The ovaries also make hormones, which means a woman in menopause will have lower hormone levels. However, when this happens, the adrenal glands are supposed to act as the backup system for the ovaries. The adrenal glands make all of the hormones that the ovaries make. If the adrenal glands are strong and stable when a woman is going into menopause, they may experience fewer symptoms. It’s not normal to experience symptoms of menopause unless there’s a problem with the adrenal glands. Another part of the body we need to focus on is the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is the recovery system of the body. It influences your sleep and ability to recover. Fat burning occurs in the recovery phase. Exercising your parasympathetic nervous system will help reduce cortisol, support sleep, and get rid of belly fat. In order to strengthen your parasympathetic nervous system, it’s crucial to increase the time you rest in between your reps and sets of exercise, as well as the days of exercise. You have to make sure you don’t overtrain and give your body a chance to completely recover and reset. How to lose belly fat after menopause: 1. Do high-intensity exercises with longer rest periods 2. Don’t overtrain 3. Don’t train over soreness 4. Focus on getting more sleep 5. Take advantage of chiropractic care, massage therapy, or physical therapy 6. Consume omega-3 fatty acids 7. Take DHEA 8. Go on a low-carb diet with intermittent fasting 9. Get plenty of magnesium, choline, vitamin B1, and vitamin D 10. Try lemon balm, passionflower, or ashwagandha

I’m not against the vegan diet. But there are some key tips to follow if you’re trying to do keto as a vegan. A vegan diet can still be an unhealthy diet. It’s crucial to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need no matter what diet you’re on. Some of the top things to avoid if you’re vegan are: • Textured vegetable protein • Soy protein isolates • Fake meat • High-fructose corn syrup • Gluten Certain nutrients are easy to get on a vegan diet. But, it’s difficult to get vitamin B12, selenium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin D if you eat a vegan diet. It’s also difficult to get omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids if you’re vegan. If you’re going to do a vegan version of the ketogenic diet, you need to go beyond just lowering your carbs and consuming high amounts of fat and a moderate amount of protein. You also really need to focus on getting the nutrients you need. If you’re going to consume grains, you want to consume grains that are gluten-free, including: • Oats • Quinoa • Millet • Teff • Buckwheat You can also consume products made with almond flour. But keep in mind that when you consume grains, nuts, or legumes, you need to germinate them first to get rid of anti-nutrients. Top vegan, keto-friendly foods to include in your diet: • Nutritional yeast (non-fortified) • Sauerkraut (raw version) • Raw wheatgrass juice powder • Spirulina • Seaweed or sea kelp • Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or red palm oil • Carrots • Squash • Bell peppers • Leafy greens • Nuts • Hummus • Avocados You may also want to take taurine, an important amino acid, as a supplement to help avoid issues ranging from anxiety to gallstones.

Sleep has a significant impact on your health. I want to cover the top things that can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. There’s a direct correlation between your sleep and overall heart function and longevity. A lack of sleep can affect your blood sugar levels and increase cravings and hunger. Poor sleep can also raise your cortisol and affect your mood. The top things that prevent you from sleeping: 1. High cortisol 2. Low vitamin D 3. Low calcium 4. Low magnesium 5. Low potassium 6. A bad sleeping environment 7. Taking melatonin 8. Blue light and EMF 9. Low vitamin B12 10. Low vitamin B1 11. Low zinc 12. Stimulants Cutting out sugar and going on a low-carb diet is crucial to help you start sleeping better. Also, avoid eating too late or overeating to help support better sleep. Another great tip is to focus on your breathing to help you fall asleep fast. DATA: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NB...

Let’s talk about probiotics. Probiotics are friendly bacteria in very high numbers. You have ten times more microbes than your own cells, and these microbes make up a significant part of your immune system. Friendly microbes support gut health and make bile, vitamins, and neurotransmitters. Here are seven key things you need to know about probiotics: 1. Probiotics are not just good for gut health but also for many other areas of the body. 2. Use antibiotics sparingly, and anytime you take an antibiotic, take a probiotic at the same time. 3. Try natural antibiotics, like garlic, oregano, colloidal silver, black walnut extract, tea tree oil, and cranberry. 4. Plain kefir contains diverse, friendly microbes in higher amounts than yogurt. 5. Having low stomach acid increases your risk of SIBO. Don’t consume probiotics if you have SIBO. Instead, try betaine hydrochloride, natural antibiotics, and fasting. 6. Soil-based vegetables contain good bacteria. 7. Probiotics make metabiotics, which have a lot of potential health benefits.

Today, I’m going to cover the best keto foods to keep in your refrigerator. This will not only make keto easy but also healthy. The ketogenic diet is a low-carb diet. But that’s not enough to necessarily make it healthy. For example, if you’re on the keto diet, you could still go to a fast food restaurant without going off the plan. That’s why I like the Healthy Keto diet, which focuses on high-quality, nutrient-dense, low-carb foods. Ultra-processed foods are very quickly replacing our traditional foods. These foods have been severely altered to the point they don’t resemble food anymore. The go-to foods you should always have in your home on keto are not only low-carb, but they’re the opposite of ultra-processed. The best keto foods to keep in your home: 1. Grass-fed meats 2. Pasture-raised organic eggs 3. Soil-based vegetables and lettuce 4. Homemade salad dressings 5. Grass-fed butter 6. Grass-fed organic cheese (raw if possible) 7. Avocados 8. Organic berries 9. Wild-caught salmon, sardines, and other fatty fish 10. Shellfish 11. Organic walnuts and pecans 12. Organic Valencia peanut butter 13. Organic celery 14. Raw sauerkraut 15. Organic low-sugar bacon

There is a big myth about apple cider vinegar, and it has to do with the "mother." Let’s talk about it. The mother in apple cider vinegar is a combination of two things: friendly bacteria and enzymes. You can’t actually see bacteria or enzymes. This means you can’t see the true mother in apple cider vinegar. What you see at the bottom of a bottle of apple cider vinegar is the leftovers of the fermentation process. It’s just unfiltered particles from the apples or maybe fiber—there’s not necessarily enzymes or probiotics in it. When apple cider vinegar is pasteurized, the heat kills bacteria and enzymes. High pressure can also kill bacteria and enzymes. Fairchild’s is the only brand of apple cider vinegar that produces and sells their product. They produce a high-quality organic raw apple cider vinegar product. It’s also undiluted and much stronger than Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, which is diluted with water. I don’t get anything from promoting their product, but when I find a really good product like this one, I like to share it with others. Recommended Apple Cider Vinegar: https://www.fairchildsvinegar.com/