BITESIZE: Low-Carb vs. Keto: Why the Difference Matters

The terms “low-carb” and “ketogenic” are often used interchangeably, but are they the same thing?

Not quite.

A low-carb diet can be a powerful tool for improving blood sugar, triglycerides, insulin levels, inflammation, and overall metabolic health. Ketogenic diets, on the other hand, involve a deeper level of carbohydrate reduction that shifts the body into nutritional ketosis, where ketones become a significant source of fuel for the brain and body.

That metabolic shift can be especially relevant when ketosis itself is part of the therapeutic goal.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher walks through:

• How low-carb and ketogenic diets are typically defined
• The amount of carbohydrate that may support nutritional ketosis
• What changes in the body once ketone production increases
• How each approach may be used for different metabolic goals
• Why ketosis is being studied for serious mental illness and other brain-based conditions
• How clearer terminology can help people set more realistic expectations

The right level of carbohydrate reduction depends on the person, the condition being addressed, and the intended outcome. Someone looking to improve general metabolic health may do very well with a low-carb approach. Someone using ketogenic therapy for a clinical purpose may need closer monitoring, greater precision, and support from an experienced healthcare team.

Understanding which approach you’re following gives you a clearer way to track progress, interpret results, and discuss next steps with your clinician.

👉 Learn more about ketogenic therapy and how it may support mental illness on our blog: What is Ketogenic Therapy? A Comprehensive Guide

🔎 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 #LowCarb

Expert Featured:

Bret Scher, MD - Baszucki Group Medical Director & Host of the Metabolic Mind Podcast

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/
• https://www.instagram.com/drscher858/?hl=en
• https://x.com/bschermd

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon.

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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.