Carnivore vs. Vegan Keto: Can Both Work?

Can carnivore and vegan diets both be used as ketogenic therapies?

In this episode of Metabolic Mind, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with registered dietitian Denise Potter about two widely debated approaches to nutrition. They explore how each can be evaluated when someone is considering a ketogenic diet to support psychiatric, neurological, or metabolic health.

Denise brings more than 30 years of clinical experience, including approximately 20 years working with medical ketogenic therapies. She explains the importance of risk-benefit analysis, how clinicians can assess potential nutrient gaps, and how lab testing, supplementation when indicated, and individualized support may help identify and manage potential risks.

They cover:

• The difference between a carnivore diet and a carnivore ketogenic diet
• Why some people report mental and physical health improvements with carnivore ketogenic approaches
• Common questions about vitamin C, iodine, electrolytes, fiber, calcium, omega-3s, and LDL
• Why bowel habits and the microbiome require clinical context
• How a vegan ketogenic diet can be formulated, including Denise’s recommendation to pay close attention to B12 supplementation
• Protein quality, bioavailability, and amino acid considerations in vegan ketogenic diets
• The role of tracking, lab work, and follow-up testing
• How clinicians can evaluate restrictive dietary patterns through a medical risk-benefit lens

This conversation offers a practical look at how different ketogenic approaches may be designed, monitored, and adjusted with individualized guidance and appropriate clinical support.

💡 Whether you’re considering a carnivore ketogenic approach or a more plant-based one, the quality of the diet itself can make a significant difference in outcomes. Learn more about what a well-formulated ketogenic diet looks like on our blog: metabolicmind.org/resources/library/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/well-formulated-ketogenic-diet/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

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#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #VeganKeto #Carnivore

Expert Featured:

Denise Potter RDN, CDCES

• https://advancedketogenictherapies.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/PotterDietitianConsulting/
• https://www.instagram.com/advancedketogenictherapies/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-ketogenic-therapies/

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Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.