Dietitian's Thoughts on What Netflix’s The Magic Pill Gets RIGHT About the Keto Diet

Medical Disclaimer:
The content in this video is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

In this episode of Abbey’s Kitchen, Abbey is discussing the new Netflix documentary called The Magic Pill and this one is looking at the controversial keto diet. This doc is about how the low carb high fat diet can supposedly cure a variety of chronic illnesses and promote weight loss. Abbey is going to take a look at the doc and all the recent literature and talk about the things that The Magic Pill got right and next week Abbey is going to explore what The Magic Pill got wrong.

Let’s do this.

(1:00) Claim #1: The Keto Diet Can Cure Childhood Epilepsy
Abigail has epilepsy and after being on the keto diet her seizures have decreased, her bowels have improved and her speech as improved. A systematic review did find that a keto diet was able to reduce the number of seizures in children however this was not the case in all children.

(2:43) Claim #2: The Keto Diet Can Treat Autism
Aaron is on the autism spectrum and after six months on a keto diet, he was able to express himself and use full sentences. A recent review found that a keto diet may be beneficial for patients with autism. Still more research needed.

(3:51) Claim #3: Research Flaws in Low Fat Diet
Fat is a controversial topic, and this doc hits this home by criticizing a lot of research on low fat diet. Several reviews have not been able to find a clear association between total dietary fat and heart disease. Abbey agrees with the doc where they say a low fat diet may do more harm than good because many low fat products are highly processed and packed with sugar and salt. Also another high fat foods are really good for you and should be incorporated in a healthy diet.

(6:15) Claim #4: The Keto Diet Cures Diabetes
The doc talks about a patient that is able to get off their diabetes medication completely. This doc makes some dramatic claims and this one is kind of right and wrong. Research has shown that a low to moderate carb intake may help manage blood sugars, but it is unclear whether that is also in the long term. A keto diet may help in the management of diabetes but whether it cures it has yet to be seen in the literature.

(7:36) Claim #5: The Keto Diet Helps You Lose Weight
One of the big reasons people go on the keto diet is to lose weight and the doc makes these claims when we meet Debbie. It is supported by the literature that a keto diet can lead to weight loss, but that is likely you are eating less and you are losing water weight (especially at the beginning). However, the next question is whether this diet can be sustained in the long term due to its restriction.

(8:57) Claim #6: The Keto Diet Kills Cancer
Very much like diabetes claim, this claim is right and wrong. The doc shares the story of a woman who was able to cure her cancer by going keto. Sadly, a lot of the research in this area is only done on animals. Some research has shown that the keto diet may help to suppress tumor cell growth however we need a lot more research in this area. However, Abbey would never make the claim that you should stop your treatment and medication and just go keto, but it may provide some therapeutic benefits.

At the end of the day, Abbey thinks the Magic Pill makes some claims about the keto diet that has some research to back them up but a lot of the time this research is early, based on animals and lots of case studies. We don’t yet know the long term impacts, and while Abbey agrees with some of these concepts based on early research, we still have a long way to go before we can call the keto diet the “magic pill” . Be sure to tune in next week where I explore what The Magic Pill got REALLY WRONG about the keto diet.

For more tips on staying healthy, recipes, dieting and information fit for consumption by foodies everywhere stop by Abbey’s blog.

[adjn]

I’ve been doing keto for 5 months and have gone from 254 to 195. I love the keto way of life and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

[robertstate]

Hey Abbey. Thanks for your review. I just want to clarify that the documentary never says the Keto diet CURES anything. What is says is that using fat as fuel (rather than sugar or glucose) puts our bodies in a better place for them to take care of themselves. In other words: fueling our bodies with what Nature has provided us over a million or so years is healthier than processed, carb-laden foods... what I was surprised you were more skeptical about diabetes (Type 2). As this is one disease that the keto diet definitely helps mitigate. Pati is still off her insulin. And she has lost a total of 90 lbs. I find it fascinating that that we have an organ that releases insulin, whose job it is to get sugar out of our bodies. Not the case with fat. Lastly, we went out of our way NOT to exaggerate anything. Our stories are anecdotal but we show the research (as much as there exists) that backs up the what happens to the characters. One thing we are advocating is that there needs to be more research (gold standard double blind). It's really nice to see watch people evaluate the film. I was a huge skeptic when I started working on it. And I have to say, it's really an embrace of Nature... How does Nature handle things, and can we harness that without screwing it up? Cheers, Rob Tate

[allatusfitness]

You may want to argue the "we don't recommend low carb diet in the long run" statement with Dr. Jason Fung (The Obesity Code) and his 18 years of track record with type II diabetes patients fully recovered. Yes, human patients...not rats or mice!
By the way 82 years of documented use of keto diet does give it enough credential, certainly more than the 39 years of low fat non-sense.

[dianebroom]

Keto diet has been used as treatment for childhood epilepsy, but we "definitely need more research". 80 years of use isn't enough?

[shanes.]

I don't think the 97lbs I lost was water weight. Maintained over two years. A1c went from 7.1 to 4.7 and holding. I know it will go up if I go off Keto, that's why I'm staying Keto.

[virtualyuriqueen]

We needed a lot more research on the low fat diet too, yet the U.S. was still quick to implement it into federal dietary guidelines (and look what it did to obesity and disease in this country)

[rra]

I have watched this documentary twice. Never do they say it will 'cure' epilepsy or autism. The diet helped a lot but they never claimed a cure.

[AcousticGroove]

Been doing keto for over two years. Lost 55 pound in 8 months and have kept it off. My friend that started a few months before me and has lost 85 pounds and has had no trouble keeping it off.

[lishws]

What I’m hearing about diets in general these days is: You need to find what works for you, AND. what you can live with long term. It’s as personal and unique as your own body and health: one size definitely does not fit all!

I’ve been dieting for 45 years, since I was 13 years old! I’ve done them all: low-fat, Atkins, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, book after book after book. I dieted myself up to 380 pounds by February of 2019... it’s a miracle I was never diagnosed with diabetes. Since then, by choosing the Keto way of life, I’ve lost 144 lbs in 19 months, my arthritic knees no longer hurt, and I’m in a size 16 for the first time in over 20 years. I no longer crave sweets or starches, and I can take hikes with my daughter and keep up with her. I still have 80 pounds to go, but I have no doubt that I will get there and, for once in my life, maintain!

[gmvidyohs]

At age 77 and 260lbs, I went on the Keto Diet January 1, 2019. By the middle of June I was down to 202lbs, I went from size 40 pants to size 34. My blood pressure dropped from 150 over 86 down to 118 over 69. My endurance is improved ten times over what it was before January. I find the diet very easy to stick to, because I am a carnivore and I love fish as well. I do miss my good potatoes and corn-on-the-cob once in awhile, and my home made bread, but I feel so much better that there is no way I am drifting back to that weight. The other plus is that I still have my good red wine with my lunches and dinners. I am at the point now where I can "cheat" once in awhile and not worry about it. George White

[jamesmakar]

Watching the film, it makes a lot of sense. Ask yourself why Frosted Flakes and Pop Tarts are considered healthy and Avocado is unhealthy. Our system is archaic and flawed. Here is what happened to me doing Keto. Start: 255 lbs, A1C 10.5, Average blood pressure about 175 to 190, Average blood sugar 175-225. I take 3 blood pressure meds and 2 for diabetes (Type 2). Now flash forward 30 days and I weigh 230lbs, A1C 5.5, Average blood pressure 115/75, blood sugar runs about 98 to 118. I currently take no meds besides vitamins and my next phase will include cardio and weight lifting. I have never felt better in my life. Call it what you will but to me....its a miracle! Keto facebook support groups are popping up all over facebook and unreal amounts of people are losing crazy amounts of weight and getting off countless meds. To me....there is your proof!

[cindyxo]

Why would you say keto should be supervised by a physician for children and vegan diets are safe as long as you add supplements (no mention of a doctor’s supervision)?

[danielleharrington]

Personally I love keto. I like what you said about the best diet being one you can actually follow. This is something I've done for 8 months and absolutely love. I never really thought I'd find something that I'd actually be able to maintain. I do agree with you. We need more research that isn't biased or opinionated on either side of the spectrum. Hopefully we will see new research within the next couple of years.

[Elizabeth-ikvt]

To those saying low carb wont help with glucose levels: Carbs are used for energy by the body, and in order to digest they must be broken down. Carbs get turned into sugar, and depending on what you've eaten, you get the nutrients as well. When someone who has diabetes eats a lot of carbs, it spikes their glucose level, and cutting down on carbs/sugar can help keep it in the healthy range. This is also why diabetics tend to struggle with fruit since it contains a lot of carbs and sugar, despite all the healthy nutrients and vitamins they have.

[Carniboarder]

I no longer have type 2 diabetes sleep apnea high blood pressure for 2 years I have a buddy who reduced his tumor and beat stage 4 brain cancer, cancer free 2 years there’s our proof

[debbybambek]

Would love to hear your thoughts on intermittent fasting

[RaisingHail]

I have lost over 120lbs on keto in a year! It saved my life. And it's not hard to keep doing it. It really is a forever lifestyle. The food is awesome (I mean who can eat 5lbs of bacon in a week a still lose fat! A keto person can), the energy is great!! Skin has cleared up and not to mention I had my blood taken in full keto and I dont have to see the doctor for 3 years unless I get sick!! I say win win win and win some more!!!

[vegemitegirl]

Pete Evans, the host/creator of this show is generally known as a person not to be taken seriously, here in Australia. He is a TV chef, NOT a nutritionist nor a dietitian. He got into serious hot water when he was promoting mothers of infants to take their babies off formula and replace milk with bone broth in their bottles.

[ethelb]

1 and 1/2 years later, no weight gain, more inches lost, no desire to go back to low-fat or vegan. It may not be or feel right for all but soooo right for many. More research is needed on everything! But the research that has been done is very compelling. It will be hard to prove that GMO corn, wheat or other such foods are okay to eat.

[unclejack]

I like this nonsense. Keto is "hard" because you cut out carbs and understand how it works on your body. A lot of people achieved great results on keto.
Let me give you an "easy" diet, where you have to eat this and that (whatever some research found "healthy") and do a ton of calorie counting. Proven not to work.