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by leovonl 3158 days ago
The study doesn't mention this anywhere, but one can assume it considers only a state of glycolysis. This makes the the title/conclusion a bit misleading.

In case of ketosis [1], the brain mainly relies on ketone bodies for fuel.. I'm curious about how one's brain would perform in such state - judging by personal experience, the results would be very different.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketosis
2 comments
Chronicwhy 3157 days ago
Pfc is responsible for self control which is the most glucose consuming part of the body. Hypoglycemia negatively affects executive functions so I am not sure if ketosis helps pfc. Ketone body can definitely feed some parts of the brain not sure of pfc.
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opportune 3158 days ago
What differences in your thinking did you personally notice while in ketosis?
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bonniemuffin 3158 days ago
For me, my mental energy and alertness levels are more stable, because I'm avoiding the blood sugar roller coaster that I get from eating sugar/carbs.

When I eat carbs, most of my day is either "I'm so hungry I can't think", or "I just ate, food coma", and I'm only alert and maximally productive for the brief time after the food coma wears off and before I get hungry again. With keto, hunger and fullness are less distracting feelings that don't impact my attention as much.

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wastra 3158 days ago
People often say this, but I'm not yet convinced it has a fully or even partially physiologic basis.

One way to do an experiment would be to fast someone for 48h (about when you completely run out of glycogen, and ketones start to ramp up from fat catabolism), and while fasting, infuse glucose, blinded, into them. I wonder whether people could tell whether they are getting IV glucose or IV saline, just by how they feel. Maybe someone already did this experiment.

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lhuser123 3158 days ago
Where can I read more about that type of diet ?
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jinglebells 3157 days ago
Dunno if it helps, there's a lot of discussion over at https://www.reddit.com/r/keto/
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leovonl 3157 days ago
Generally, a big improvement in ability to focus, and a sustained mental clarity throughout the day.

Entering in ketosis was also an watershed moment, like an epiphany, with a sudden feeling of increased awareness. But it's hard to describe precisely, and I guess YMMV.

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