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LCHF for seniors?

hastymj
hastymj Posts: 14 Member
in Social Groups
My 78 yo mom has been asking me for "eating plan" tips to get healthier and lose 5 pounds or so. I've been telling her about my LCHF strategy. Does anyone know if there are specific health concerns about this way of eating for older folks? Anything she should be careful about? She is in good health but she does have early-stage Parkinson's disease. And she's a breast cancer survivor.

Thanks!
Jennifer

Replies

  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    Ketones are thought to be good for Parkinson's and other brain metabolic disorders. I hope it helps her.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2367001/

    https://www.charliefoundation.org/ketogenic-therapy/therapies-3/parkinsons-disease

    I can't think of any dangers beyond the usual:
    • Electrolte imbalance causing the need toincrease sodium to 3000-5000mg per day. She may have been told to keep salt low to reduce blood pressure so it might be a hard concept to embrace.
    • Blood glucose may get low in the first few days causing higher adrenalin and lower BP. If she has health issues that could effect, it could be something to think about.
    • Going against the low fat dogma of the last few decades might be hard for her to accept. I would make sure she isn't trying to do low carb with low fat.

    Perhaps have her introduce MCT oil bfore going too low carb. Her ketone levels will start coming up and might make the transition easier once she starts dropping her carb level.

    I think Bernstein addresses age in Dr Bernstein's Daibetes Solution. He has been low carb for about 4 decades to treat his T1D, and is now in his 80's I believe.

    Good luck to her!
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    edited April 2016
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    Ketones are thought to be good for Parkinson's and other brain metabolic disorders. I hope it helps her.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2367001/

    https://www.charliefoundation.org/ketogenic-therapy/therapies-3/parkinsons-disease

    I can't think of any dangers beyond the usual:
    • Electrolte imbalance causing the need toincrease sodium to 3000-5000mg per day. She may have been told to keep salt low to reduce blood pressure so it might be a hard concept to embrace.
    • Blood glucose may get low in the first few days causing higher adrenalin and lower BP. If she has health issues that could effect, it could be something to think about.
    • Going against the low fat dogma of the last few decades might be hard for her to accept. I would make sure she isn't trying to do low carb with low fat.

    Perhaps have her introduce MCT oil bfore going too low carb. Her ketone levels will start coming up and might make the transition easier once she starts dropping her carb level.

    I think Bernstein addresses age in Dr Bernstein's Daibetes Solution. He has been low carb for about 4 decades to treat his T1D, and is now in his 80's I believe.

    Good luck to her!

    diabetes-book.com/bernstein-life-with-diabetes/

    Yes it seems he is about 82 and has some seminars scheduled for later this month. Awesome story how he helped make life better for millions more by proving to the medical world what was possible.
  • hastymj
    hastymj Posts: 14 Member
    Thanks to both of you! Great info and links.

    Jennifer

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