Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast

Let's talk about salt sensitivity and the dangers of consuming too much salt. Consuming too much sodium can lead to certain health problems, including: • Heart disease • High blood pressure • Stroke • Edema • Increased mortality The body tends to hold sodium when a person has a potassium deficiency. You can even have salt sensitivity, which causes you to retain sodium and water. But, again, this could be caused by a potassium deficiency. Sodium and potassium work together in the body. The daily requirements for sodium are 2300 mg, but the daily requirements for potassium are 4700 mg. You really need twice as much potassium as sodium. Many people aren't consuming enough potassium in their diet but consume a lot of sodium. A genetic problem can also cause some people to be salt sensitive. I believe one of the best things you can do for salt sensitivity is to increase your potassium. I don't think a low-salt diet is the answer. You don't want to end up having a potassium deficiency and a sodium deficiency. You need sodium and potassium to support the body in many different ways. If you're deficient in these key electrolytes, you could experience arrhythmias, fatigue, and weakness. Overall, you need sodium, but you need a lot more potassium.

Let’s talk about the best remedies for cataracts and how to help prevent cataracts naturally. Cataracts are a problem with the lens of the eye—the lens becomes opaque and is difficult to see through. Glycation is one of the top causes of cataracts. Glycation is a term to describe the combining of sugar with protein or sugar with fat. The more glycation occurs in a person’s lenses, the more eye problems they could experience. Glycation could be why people with diabetes have a higher risk of cataracts and another reason why a low-sugar, low-carb diet is so important. Top causes of cataracts: • Glycation • Aging • Chronic use of steroids • Chronic stress • Alcohol • Smoking • Exposure to microwaves • Junk foods • Exposure to certain chemicals • Oxidation • High-sugar diets The best natural remedies for cataracts: 1. Intermittent fasting 2. Cruciferous vegetables 3. Egg yolks 4. Selenium 5. Vitamin C 6. Vitamin E 7. Zinc 8. NAC 9. Thiamine (vitamin B1) 10. Riboflavin (vitamin B2)

Today I’m going to share the best remedies for acne. When a person has acne, multiple things are happening at once. The oil glands are called sebaceous glands—they make oil or sebum. Usually, the sebaceous glands are inflamed, enlarged, and producing too much oil. Typically, bacteria are also involved, affecting the immune system and creating more inflammation. One of the biggest causes of acne is a shift in hormones. But, a high-carb diet and frequent eating can also cause acne. It’s essential to get on a low-carb diet and do intermittent fasting to help get rid of acne fast. Another one of the top acne causes is a deficiency in vitamin D. Vitamin D can regulate bacteria involved in acne—it’s a potent antibacterial. If you're deficient in vitamin D, you won’t be able to control acne-causing microbes. Vitamin D also supports the sebaceous glands to help reduce swelling of the glands and oil production. The best natural remedies for acne: 1. Take vitamin D3 (20,000 IU) 2. Get on the Healthy Keto® diet 3. Do intermittent fasting 4. Stop scrubbing your skin 5. Consume cod liver oil 6. Consume fatty fish

Today we're going to talk about vitamin K2, and I'm going to share the best source of vitamin K2. While vitamin K1 supports blood clotting, vitamin K2 supports calcium transportation. Vitamin K2 works with vitamin D. Vitamin K2 and vitamin D3 are important to take together. Vitamin D raises calcium in the blood, but vitamin K2 pushes calcium from the blood into the bone. Vitamin K2 also uses LDL cholesterol as part of its transportation process. The health benefits of vitamin K2: • It supports healthy bones • It supports strong teeth • It helps prevent calcium from building up in the arteries, cartilage, and joints • It helps support healthy blood sugar levels • It helps generate ATP (energy) • It supports healthy testosterone levels • It supports the brain Vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 are fat-soluble—low-fat diets may lead to a vitamin K2 deficiency. Cheese, especially hard cheese, is a rich source of vitamin K2, with Muenster cheese at the top of the list. Other foods high in vitamin K2: • Grass-fed butter • Goose liver • Duck liver • Duck fat • Eel • Beef liver • Lamb's liver • Ground beef • Grass-fed hot dogs • High-quality bacon • Pork • Sauerkraut • Cod liver oil

Today I’m going to reveal how problems with the gallbladder could be related to the thyroid. Bile contains bile salts, lecithin, bilirubin, protein, and cholesterol. If a person has too much cholesterol and not enough bile salts, they could develop gallstones. However, cholesterol is necessary to help you make bile, hormones, and vitamin D. The body makes the majority of cholesterol in the body. The liver makes bile. Bile helps eliminate excess cholesterol and certain toxins. It also helps break down fats and supports the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids. A person with hypothyroidism or a subclinical hyperthyroid issue has an increased risk of gallstones. Many different connections cause this increased risk, but overall, it takes a healthy thyroid to make enough bile and bile to create a healthy thyroid. Ultimately, I believe a lack of fat and cholesterol in the diet can increase your risk of gallstones and hypothyroidism from multiple angles. The Healthy Keto® diet can help supply the fats and important vitamins and minerals your body needs. Learn more about Healthy Keto in my other videos.

Today I’m going to share some important information related to chronic kidney disease. 10% of cases of end-stage renal disease are related to polycystic kidney disease. Polycystic kidney disease has mainly been thought of as a genetic problem, and until fairly recently, many people thought you couldn’t do much about genetic diseases. But it turns out that you can. Some of the top warning signs of polycystic kidney disease are increased risk of infection, urinary bleeding, reduced function of the kidneys, and high blood pressure. A recent study done on mice found that the ketogenic diet halted and reversed polycystic kidney disease in the mice. They also found that time-restricted eating created a similar effect. Another study found that the keto diet may reduce the risk of kidney stones as long as the person is also on a low-oxalate diet. Along with keto and consuming low-oxalate foods, consuming enough water may help reduce the risk of kidney stones. In the study on polycystic kidney disease, they found that the cysts absorb glucose and are dependent on glucose. Glucose can contribute to other kidney issues as well. A low-carb diet and fasting are both great ways to get your body to start making ketones. You can also take ketones. The best natural remedies for kidney problems: • Curcumin • Resveratrol • EGCG (in green tea) • Quercetin • Berberine What I would do for chronic kidney disease: 1. Take the above natural remedies 2. Go on a low-oxalate keto diet 3. Do intermittent fasting

Today I want to explain five things you need to know about the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Roughly 95 percent of the population has the Epstein-Barr virus. The more you know about EBV, the less you’ll be adversely affected by it. The Epstein-Barr virus can use different strategies to go under the radar and survive in a person’s body. The virus can go dormant and become very difficult for the body to detect. You can never get rid of EBV—you have to focus on keeping it in remission. To keep it in remission, you need to understand the strategies of the virus and how to support the immune system to keep it under control. Important things to know about the Epstein-Barr virus: 1. You can’t get rid of it 2. It’s associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia 3. It blocks key immune nutrients that your cells depend on, like vitamin D, vitamin A, and zinc 4. It modulates fever response 5. Emotional stress may trigger EBV to come out of remission Three things to help inhibit EBV from coming out of remission: 1. Decrease your stress and exposure to triggers 2. Take cod liver oil 3. Choose one or two of these herbs: • Elderberry • Echinacea • Olive leaf extract • Andrographis • Astragalus

Today we’re going to talk about the best remedies for candida. A good portion of the microbes in your gut are fungi, and candida is one type of fungi. Friendly fungi support the body in many different ways. It’s not until we change the environment that our friendly bacteria and fungi live in that they can become a problem. For example, one of the biggest side effects of antibiotics is candida overgrowth. If the ratio of candida to bacteria is incorrect, this can lead to health issues. But bacteria release certain things to help keep candida in check. If candida does turn unfriendly, you need to know what you can do. One important thing to remember to support a healthy microbiome is to take probiotics if you have to take antibiotics. The best candida home remedies: 1. Take a probiotic and consume probiotic foods 2. Avoid sugar and dairy 3. Avoid carbs (do Healthy Keto®) 4. Avoid sugar alcohols 5. Consume capric acid (coconut oil or MCT oil) 6. Consume vegetable fiber 7. Consume natural herbal antibiotics (garlic, oregano oil, thyme, sage, or turmeric)

Many people think they need to avoid ultraviolet radiation—their first thought may even be that it causes cancer. Today we're going to talk about the potent anti-inflammatory effects of UV radiation and its other benefits. UV radiation is a part of the spectrum of energy from the sun. Humans have adapted over time to survive the sun's radiation and use it to our advantage. Ultraviolet radiation is the only part of the sun's energy that helps the body make vitamin D, which is essential. Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins for your immune system and is an incredibly potent anti-inflammatory. While chronic exposure to UV radiation is unhealthy and can increase your risk of certain skin cancers, it may have significant health benefits in small doses. Too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation can also cause wrinkles, loss of collagen, and aging spots. But having enough antioxidants in your skin may help protect you from these issues. If you build up the antioxidants in your skin—in small doses, the benefits of ultraviolet radiation may outweigh the negatives. Potential benefits of UV radiation: • It has an anti-inflammatory effect • It may contribute to decreasing your risk of autoimmune diseases • It may help reduce the risk of TB • It may help suppress the symptoms of certain skin conditions • It may help reduce pain • It may help regulate cortisol • It can help increase nitric oxide • It has reparative actions • It may help elevate your mood and balance serotonin

Today I want to cover some important information on reducing the side effects of medications. Phase 1 and phase 2 enzymes are groups of enzymes that help break down medications and toxins in the liver. These enzymes turn medications and toxins into harmless water-soluble particles that can be eliminated through the body. If this enzyme system isn’t working, you could experience more side effects from medications. Your medications may also not be as effective as they should be. Certain things can decrease the function of phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification, including: • DNA mutations • Liver problems • Consuming grapefruit • Certain medications How to support phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification: 1. Consume cruciferous vegetables, allium vegetables, sulforaphane, or DIM 2. Do fasting 3. Reduce exposure to toxins 4. Strengthen the liver (do Healthy Keto® and take milk thistle) 5. Use herbal remedies (curcumin, green tea, and garlic)

Today I want to cover some interesting points about selenium that you may have never heard before. Selenium is a trace mineral, and it’s involved in thyroid function and helps detox mercury. Selenium is also a powerful antioxidant. It’s important to support cardiovascular and brain health and may help prevent strokes and cancer. Brazil nuts are loaded with selenium. One Brazil nut will give you the selenium you need for the day. Taking too much selenium could lead to selenium toxicity. Selenium is in many other foods, too, so why are so many people deficient in selenium? It has to do with the fact that it’s in a form that plant roots have a difficult time extracting—they need help from microbes. However, there aren’t enough microbes or diversity of microbes in the soil. A good solution is to start buying foods from farmers who care about their soil and grow things with microbial diversity. It’s also essential to consume fermented foods. Another overlooked cause of selenium deficiency is a certain genetic mutation related to the proteins or enzymes with selenium. Taking statins may also lead to selenium deficiency.

Today I’m going to share why eating in moderation is bad diet advice. This idea involves avoiding extremes and consuming a balanced diet with reasonable amounts of various foods. However, some of the foods you are allowed to consume, even in moderation, can destroy your health. Why eating everything in moderation doesn’t work for weight loss or creating a healthy body: 1. The carbs aren’t low enough (moderation is subjective) 2. Many people have insulin resistance 3. It doesn’t consider genetics 4. It includes addictive foods 5. It includes refined foods 6. Eating stimulates insulin The best way to burn fat and create a healthy body is to consume 50 grams or less of carbs per day. Doing this will also eliminate hunger and cravings, making it easier to stay on track with a diet plan. The Healthy Keto® diet is a low-carb diet plan that focuses on nutritious, quality ingredients and getting healthy to lose weight. Learn more about the ketogenic diet in my other videos.

There is a myth that calcium is the main mineral you need for osteoporosis and to strengthen your bones. The majority of what makes up bone is collagen, which is protein. There is calcium in your bones, but it’s tied up with phosphorus. In some interesting studies, they found that taking calcium doesn’t prevent bone fractures. There is also strong evidence that taking a calcium supplement can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. It’s essential to get enough vitamins, minerals, and trace minerals in your diet. The most important vitamins for bone health are vitamin D and vitamin K2. Another factor in your bone health is your hormones. For example, a deficiency in estrogen or high cortisol can lead to osteoporosis. Bone loss isn’t contributed to one thing. Overall, to build bone, you need to focus on creating a healthy body. The best source of calcium to help strengthen the bones is dairy. But, a combination of plants and dairy is great for supporting healthy calcium levels. Signs and symptoms of a calcium deficiency: • Muscle spasms • Tetany • Changes in heart rate • Numbness around the mouth • Numbness in the fingertips and feet • Spasm in the larynx (hoarseness, rough-sounding voice, a lump in the throat) • Consuming excessive amounts of protein, sodium, coffee, soft drinks, and refined sugar Calcium is needed for your health, but it may be best to get it from food. One of the biggest health benefits of calcium is that it may help prevent certain intestinal cancers. Keep in mind that you need plenty of vitamin D and magnesium to absorb calcium.

Let's talk about the health benefits of magnesium. Magnesium is a fascinating and important mineral that's involved in over 350 enzymes in the body. Enzymes speed up the chemical reactions in the body, and they don't deplete their energy in the process. Well-known benefits of magnesium: • It supports the heart • It may help with muscle cramping • It supports sleep • It may help reduce anxiety • It may help promote relaxation • It supports the flexibility of the arteries • It may help with headaches • It may help with problems related to the nerves and muscles Surprising benefits of magnesium: 1. It may help regulate LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and increase HDL 2. It helps make ATP (energy in the body) 3. It helps regulate adrenaline, cortisol, and ACTH—and counters oxidative stress from these hormones 4. It's involved in enzymes related to lecithin (the antidote to cholesterol) 5. It's a natural calcium channel blocker, beta blocker, and antithrombotic 6. It helps regulate blood sugar levels 7. It's involved in making DNA Many people don't consume enough magnesium, which can cause a magnesium deficiency and lead to various health issues. Magnesium-rich foods: • Foods high in chlorophyll (dark leafy green vegetables) • Nuts and pumpkin seeds • Dark chocolate (sugar-free) • Sea kelp • Avocado • Low-sodium sea salt Here are the top things that can cause you to become magnesium deficient: • Refined sugar and refined carbs • Alcohol • Diuretics • Diarrhea • Low stomach acid • Certain gene variations The type of magnesium supplement I would take, if needed, is magnesium glycinate.

Today, I'm going to cover the warning signs of parasites and the best remedies for parasites. Chances are that you have parasites in your body, but they're just not creating any problems. Examples of parasites: • Viruses • Worms • Bacteria • Fungi While you do have friendly bacteria and fungi, parasites aren't friendly. Parasites leech things from you and may create problems for you—but give nothing back to you. Symptoms of parasites: 1. Digestive reactions 2. Fatigue 3. Itchiness 4. Mood changes 5. Skin changes 6. Cravings for milk sugar or sweets 7. Changes in appetite 8. Brain fog 9. Allergies Parasites are very common, and it's essential to support your immune system because it's your best weapon to keep parasites and pathogens in check. It's also crucial to support your microbiome. You need to keep your microbes alive and friendly. The best natural remedies for parasites: 1. Garlic 2. Wormwood extract 3. Clove 4. Black walnut hull extract Increasing your stomach acid is also important to help keep harmful microbes from surviving.