BioHack 1: Myself

 I've been eating a fairly consistent ketogenic, high-fat low-carb diet for over 5 years now.  I've seen several definite improvements in my health that happened in both the short and long term.  Here's a list of what I've seen so far and some explanation.

Short Term Benefits

Respiratory Issues Disappeared

Exercise-induced asthma issues went away. I no longer had chronic coughing and breathing issues for much of the year as I had throughout the first 53 years of my life.

Immunity

In five years since starting a ketogenic diet I haven't been sick with any viral or bacterial infections with the exception of COVID-19.  Even when I had COVID-19 it was just a fever and chills for one night and felt lethargic for 2 days. Zero respiratory issues. The majority of the immunity benefits seemed to kick in within the first few weeks.

Energy levels improved

Stopped feeling tired later in the day. More consistent energy level and clear thinking throughout the day.

Sleep improved

Started sleeping deeper.  Had vivid dreams again where I hadn't noticed any in the last 20 years.

Healing, Recovery & Endurance

Noticed that I recovered from exercise much quicker than before. Any wounds would heal quickly. Blisters tend to heal rather than fill with liquid, without the skin dying.  Running is no longer painful so was able to increase the distance.  Granted, I've been running slow but now it feels enjoyable rather than torturous.  

Weight loss

Started losing weight from week one.  Within six months I had lost 50 pounds.  I weighed 235 lbs five years ago and today weigh 172 lbs.

Less Hungry

Had a lot less hunger cravings after cutting out sugar, grains and other carbs. Didn't feel like I needed to snack or eat late in the evening.  Didn't wake up starving. Was able to transition to intermittent fasting with ease.  This helped avoid glucose/insulin spikes and helped me stay in ketosis longer.

Hypoglycemia / Diabetic issues disappeared

Within weeks was able to exercise fasted and didn't need extra carbs unless I was doing intense longer sessions and over time even that threshold improved.

Digestion

Dramatically less gas. Diarrhea went away.  Used to have mild diarrhea all the time, likely due to sensitivity to grain. 

Body Odor

My wife would complain about my breath sometimes smelling like burning rubber due to the ketones but my sweat was less pungent.  Very little issue with underarm odor etc.

Long Term Benefits

Dysphagia (swallowing issues) gradually healed

After six months no longer had problems swallowing

Joint pain gone

Over the first year pain in my fingers gradually went away.

Venous disease and circulatory Issues improved

Over 18 months my numb toes gradually got complete feeling back.  I got blood clots in my left leg from a long 17 hour drive after eating a high carb diet for one week. The ultrasound showed I had damaged irregular vein walls throughout both my legs.  Likely due to chronic mild inflammation throughout my life and being too sedentary. Had to be on blood thinners and not exercise for 6 months.  After the six-month ultrasound showed the clots were gone, I was able to get back to running and within two weeks was back to where I was on distance.  The exercise also helped with circulation.  I did some research and found some studies that indicate a high carb diet makes it easier for blood clots to form. 

Benefit of ketone esters

I do keep a bottle of ketone esters handy for first-aid purposes in case any family or friends are having respiratory issues.  For myself, I only notice mild benefits, probably because I'm in ketosis the majority of every day.  I have noticed I feel more calm and less emotional after supplementing with ketone esters.  I do plan to experiment more with taking ketone esters to see if I notice a difference on my endurance running and see if it has any effect on my heart rate.

I see ketone esters as a good way to give a boost to those unable to eat a strict high-fat low-carb diet or are unable to do extended fasting.

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