Meet Dr. Melanie Tidman – Researching the Effects of a Ketogenic Diet on Parkinson’s – KETO-MOJO
Dr. Melanie Tidman, an Adjunct Professor at A.T. Still University, focuses her research on the impact of the Ketogenic Diet (KD) and Low-Carb-High-Fat (LCHF) nutrition on patients with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Tell us about your journey to discovering the ketogenic diet.
After experiencing multiple health conditions and being on various medications, Dr. Tidman learned about the ketogenic diet in 2014 and decided to adopt it herself. Within six months, she was off all medications and experienced significant health improvements. This led her to delve deep into research on the ketogenic lifestyle.
Today, Dr. Tidman, at 65, is a strong advocate for the ketogenic diet, leading an active lifestyle and conducting research on its effects on neurodegenerative diseases.
How has the ketogenic diet influenced your work as an Occupational Therapist for Parkinson's Disease patients?
Through her research and experience, Dr. Tidman has witnessed significant improvements in Parkinson's Disease symptoms by implementing therapeutic carbohydrate restriction (TCR) and the ketogenic diet. Patients have reported better control over tremors, improved cognition, and reduced anxiety and depression symptoms.
What inspired you to pursue certification as a Metabolic Health Practitioner?
Dr. Tidman was motivated to become a Certified Metabolic Health Practitioner to support ongoing research and provide a platform for practitioners utilizing TCR with their patients. She emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive community for practitioners in this field.
Why did you decide to conduct research on using a LCHF diet for Parkinson's Disease patients?
Inspired by the positive health outcomes of her friends with Parkinson's Disease who adopted the LCHF/KD lifestyle, Dr. Tidman initiated research in collaboration with the Colorado Parkinson Foundation. The pilot study showed significant improvements in biomarkers, UPDRS scores, and quality of life for participants.
How do you educate Parkinson's patients about adopting a LCHF diet, and what challenges do you face?
Dr. Tidman utilizes resources like the Keto-Mojo website to educate patients on the ketogenic lifestyle. A major challenge she faces is overcoming apathy and sugar cravings in patients with Parkinson's Disease, as dietary changes can be difficult for them. She also addresses practical challenges like chewing and swallowing issues when incorporating a high-fat diet.
What were the most surprising results from your pilot study?
Dr. Tidman was pleasantly surprised by the significant improvements in all tested variables over 12 weeks in the pilot study. Biomarkers, UPDRS scores, and quality of life showed remarkable enhancements, highlighting the efficacy of the LCHF/KD approach in managing Parkinson's Disease symptoms.
How do you think current treatment protocols for Parkinson's Disease fall short in addressing anxiety and depression symptoms?
Dr. Tidman critiques the common reliance on medication like Carbo-Levodopa for PD symptoms, noting its side effects and limitations. She believes that conventional treatments for anxiety and depression in PD patients often exacerbate symptoms and advocate for alternative approaches like the ketogenic diet.
Why do you think there is a lack of evidence on using KD for neurodegenerative diseases, and what needs to change?
Dr. Tidman questions the lack of research on TCR and KD for neurodegenerative diseases despite their increasing prevalence. She emphasizes the need for more studies and awareness in this area to address the growing impact of neurodegenerative diseases on global health.
Do you believe blood ketone tracking is essential for monitoring adherence to a prescribed diet?
Reflecting on her pilot study, Dr. Tidman acknowledges the importance of daily blood ketone testing for accurate monitoring of dietary compliance. She plans to incorporate daily testing in future studies to better assess the cognitive and health benefits of the ketogenic diet.
What are your future research plans in exploring the effects of the ketogenic diet on cognition and memory?
Dr. Tidman's upcoming research will focus on cognitive benefits of the ketogenic diet, including memory enhancement and overall health biomarkers. She aims to conduct a randomized controlled trial with a control group to further investigate the impact of the ketogenic diet on neurological health.
