#825: Dr. Dominic D’Agostino — All Things Ketones, How to Protect the Brain and Boost Cognition, Sardine Fasting, Diet Rules, Revisiting Metformin and Melatonin, and More
🤖 AI Summary
Overview
This episode dives deep into the science and practical applications of ketogenic diets, exogenous ketones, and fasting protocols for optimizing brain health, longevity, and metabolic function. Dr. Dominic D’Agostino shares insights on ketosis for neurodegenerative disease prevention, metabolic psychiatry, and even unconventional approaches like sardine fasting.
The conversation also explores supplements, immune system modulation, and the role of ketones in cancer therapy.
Notable Quotes
- Ketones are far more than just fuel—they're signaling molecules that activate genes enhancing the body's antioxidant and cellular defense mechanisms.
— Dr. Dominic D’Agostino
- Sardine fasting is essentially a fasting-mimicking diet that provides omega-3s and mitigates muscle loss while triggering autophagy.
— Dr. Dominic D’Agostino
- The immune system is the fifth horseman of longevity, and metabolic control is key to its regulation.
— Dr. Dominic D’Agostino
🧠 Ketones and Brain Health
- Ketones can bypass glucose metabolism issues in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, often referred to as type 3 diabetes.
- Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) acts as both a fuel and a signaling molecule, inhibiting enzymes linked to inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Case studies show cognitive improvements in Alzheimer’s patients using MCT oil and ketone esters.
- Ketones may reduce neuroinflammation and enhance adaptive immunity, potentially benefiting conditions like epilepsy and schizophrenia.
🐟 Sardine Fasting and Fasting Protocols
- Sardine fasting involves consuming one can of sardines per day for a week each month, mimicking fasting benefits while providing essential nutrients like omega-3s.
- This approach supports caloric restriction, autophagy, and muscle preservation, making it ideal for cancer patients or those avoiding full water fasts.
- Dom uses fasting situationally, such as during work deadlines or to counteract inflammation.
💊 Supplements and Metabolic Optimization
- Combining exogenous ketones with MCT oil enhances and sustains ketone levels.
- Creatine is highlighted for cognitive and physical recovery, especially in sleep-deprived states.
- Melatonin is used not just for sleep but as a neuroprotective agent, with no evidence of endocrine disruption in humans.
- Dom avoids daily use of strong immunomodulators like medicinal mushrooms, cycling them instead.
🧬 Metabolic Psychiatry and Immune Modulation
- Ketogenic diets show promise in treating psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety by stabilizing brain energy metabolism.
- Ketones enhance the adaptive immune system, while fasting reduces inflammation and reallocates immune resources.
- Dom collaborates with researchers on metabolic therapies for mental health, including apps like MetPsy for personalized treatment.
🐕 Optimizing Aging (and Dogs)
- Dom applies ketogenic principles to his dogs, using ketones, omega-3s, and even SARMs to enhance their longevity and mobility.
- His Great Dane, at 12 years old, remains highly active, showcasing the potential benefits of these interventions.
- For humans, Dom emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity, early dinners, and a Mediterranean-style low-carb diet.
AI-generated content may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon as a sole source of truth.
📋 Episode Description
Dr. Dominic D’Agostino (@DominicDAgosti2) is a tenured associate professor in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and a Visiting Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition.
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Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Start.
[00:14:43] Why I'm interested in ketogenic strategies for neurodegenerative prevention.
[00:16:18] Mary and Steve Newport's ketone-linked temporary cognitive improvements.
[00:18:18] A mechanisms overview for Alzheimer's/dementia.
[00:21:25] The immune system as longevity's "fifth horseman" — and why metabolic control is key.
[00:22:04] How to measure ketones and GKI.
[00:23:00] Fasting vs. ketogenic diet.
[00:24:18] There's nothing fishy about sardine fasting.
[00:28:32] My hiatal hernia discovery and increased cancer risk concerns.
[00:30:04] HSCRP as a superior biomarker to LDL for cardiovascular risk.
[00:31:57] Glucose tolerance testing revelations and CGM importance.
[00:31:57] Upgrading the metabolic machinery through keto without getting bored.
[00:42:07] What do do if you, like Dom and me, are among the 30% who suffer from cholesterol hyperabsorption.
[00:43:42] Dom's day-to-day diet regimen.
[00:45:56] How Dom optimizes his aging dogs with ketones, SARMs, and supplements.
[00:51:30] Supplementing for sleep disruption while fasting.
[00:55:41] Why Dom doesn't have misgivings about melatonin.
[00:59:15] Shingles prevention through fasting protocols.
[01:00:15] Immune system modulation: Innate vs. adaptive, vegan vs. ketogenic.
[01:03:54] Dom at 50-something: Current meal timing and composition.
[01:05:57] Blue zon