Dear Doc,

Does the ketogenic diet help diabetes or make it worse?

 

It is not necessarily bad for a Type 2 diabetic to try the ketogenic diet (less than 20g of carbs a day), but I would never put a Type 1 diabetic (insulin dependent) on a ketogenic diet.

I find that a moderately low carb diet (around 50g of carbs a day) is good. The best thing to do is to practice intermittent fasting over a period of 6-8 hours. This will put you into temporary ketosis and is easier to keep track of.

Diabetic ketoacidosis and ketosis from the ketogenic diet sound similar,  but they are completely different. Diabetic ketoacidosis happens when your sugars are high and there are ketones in the blood and urine. It is very dangerous and can put you in a coma.

For ketosis, your body begins to produce ketones, but your sugars will be low. Therefore, a low carb diet will not produce diabetic ketoacidosis.

 

Dear Doc, 

Do you have any thoughts on the two vaccines coming out? 

 

I am encouraged by the vaccine. Moderna’s is 95% effective and Pfizer’s is 90% effective.

 

Dear Doc,

What do you recommend men to do for prostate cancer? 

 

It depends on what grade of cancer you have.  The Gleason Scale predicts how aggressive that cancer is. For example, if you have a Gleason Scale of 6 (which is very mild) observation is the course of action.

If the number gets on up into more aggressive forms of cancer, you may be recommended a radical prostatectomy.  I recommend having that procedure done robotically so there is a better chance of sparing the nerves if possible.

There is also  focused radiation like Proton Therapy Centers. Brachytherapy or seed implants are not the course I would personally choose due to their drawbacks.

There are newer treatments like Laser Ablation, I have sent some people to have that done. In those cases, there have not been many reports of incontinence, but it makes the cancer difficult to follow since your PSA levels will remain high in lab work.

Each cancer treatment has its benefits, drawbacks, and specific usages that is highly individualized.

 

Dear Doc, 

What do you mean when you say, “anti-inflammatory diet?” 

 

By anti-inflammatory diet I mean an autoimmune diet. It is basically where you avoid any foods that cause inflammation like:

  • Sugar

  • Gluten

  • Dairy

  • Soy

  • Corn

  • Nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant)

  • Eggs

Many people have other food sensitivities that can cause inflammation. We check this with our Dunwoody Food Sensitivities test that we do in the office.

Often, I will put people on an elimination diet that cuts out the most common inflammatory foods and monitor how they feel.

 

Dear Doc,

Do you advise people to cycle off of vitamins? If so, how long? 

 

It can be good to miss out on taking vitamins one day a week. It is not necessary but if you would like, only taking your vitamins six out of seven days is a good way of self-cycling.

 

Dear Doc, 

Your Ultherapy results were amazing! Was that from just one treatment? How long do the results last?

 

Thank you! My daughter, Kelli, did the treatment. She is the Ultherapy expert. I just had one treatment and it took about an hour and a half.

The results are supposed to last two years since the skin continues to age after the collagen is restored. Using good skincare products can prolong the results.

 I think I will let her do it on my neck next!