Carnivore vs. Vegan Keto: Can Both Work?

Can carnivore and vegan diets both be used as ketogenic therapies?

In this episode of Metabolic Mind, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with registered dietitian Denise Potter about two widely debated approaches to nutrition. They explore how each can be evaluated when someone is considering a ketogenic diet to support psychiatric, neurological, or metabolic health.

Denise brings more than 30 years of clinical experience, including approximately 20 years working with medical ketogenic therapies. She explains the importance of risk-benefit analysis, how clinicians can assess potential nutrient gaps, and how lab testing, supplementation when indicated, and individualized support may help identify and manage potential risks.

They cover:

The difference between a carnivore diet and a carnivore ketogenic dietWhy some people report mental and physical health improvements with carnivore ketogenic approachesCommon questions about vitamin C, iodine, electrolytes, fiber, calcium, omega-3s, and LDLWhy bowel habits and the microbiome require clinical contextHow a vegan ketogenic diet can be formulated, including Denise’s recommendation to pay close attention to B12 supplementationProtein quality, bioavailability, and amino acid considerations in vegan ketogenic dietsThe role of tracking, lab work, and follow-up testingHow clinicians can evaluate restrictive dietary patterns through a medical risk-benefit lens

This conversation offers a practical look at how different ketogenic approaches may be designed, monitored, and adjusted with individualized guidance and appropriate clinical support.

💡 Whether you’re considering a carnivore ketogenic approach or a more plant-based one, the quality of the diet itself can make a significant difference in outcomes. Learn more about what a well-formulated ketogenic diet looks like on our blog: metabolicmind.org/resources/library/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/well-formulated-ketogenic-diet/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

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