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IKRT Program Agreement and Terms

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Overview & Ketogenic Therapy Basics

 

Overview

Welcome to IKRT (Integrative Ketogenic Research and Therapies). We are glad you're here and looking to explore ketogenic therapy. Thank you for choosing our services. We look forward to supporting your health journey. 

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Before you begin, please read this information in full (you will also be asked to sign these documents once you have signed up. These will explain what you can expect and how we will work together.

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This is what is covered below:

  1. Overview & Ketogenic Therapy Basics

  2. Before You Start 

  3. After You Start 

  4. Risks and What to Do
     

If anything is unclear, please ask us. There are no silly questions here. Remember - we're here to help, so if you don’t understand something, just ask. Our email is hello@ikrt.org

 

Ketogenic Therapy Basics

What Is a Ketogenic Diet?

A ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, moderate protein, high-fat way of eating. It helps lower your blood sugar and insulin to healthier levels.

When sugar and insulin drop, your body starts burning fat for fuel.

 

This creates molecules called ketones, which your brain and body can use for energy, healing, and protection. You can check and monitor your ketone levels using a finger-prick blood test.

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Is the Ketogenic Diet Safe?

The ketogenic diet is safe for most adults when it's implemented correctly. To be safe, it must include enough protein, fat, calories, and nutrients.

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To ensure you are following the diet correctly, we will educate you on how to safely and effectively implement it and support you in monitoring your health changes. 


Some people should not try ketogenic therapy, including those who are:

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
     

  • In an active state of Anorexia Nervosa and significantly underweight
     

  • Taking certain diabetes medications (SGLT2 inhibitors - if this is you, please email us, we can still support you)
     

Do I Need to Eat Carbohydrates?

No. Adults do not need to eat carbs to stay healthy. Your body can make the sugar (glucose) it needs from protein and fat.

 

However, you will still be able to eat a small amount of carbohydrates per day if you wish. The amount will be provided to you at the start of your program.

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How Can I Feel Better If Ketogenic Therapy Feels Too Hard to Start?

The diet may feel scary and difficult at first, but this is normal. With our support, you will find the best way to make the diet work for you. Simplicity is key, especially in the beginning when you are not feeling well. 

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We will help reduce the chances of side effects with proper support, such as:

  • Ensuring you are getting enough salt and fluids (electrolytes)

  • Monitoring your symptoms

  • Adjusting your diet as needed

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If the diet ever feels too physically or psychologically uncomfortable for you, you can bring this to your next check in call, and a plan will be made to support you.

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If you decide to stop the diet, please discuss this with us first so we can provide you with a safe way out of ketosis. 

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Am I at Risk of Nutrient Deficiency?

Not usually. The diet we recommend uses nutritious whole foods.

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This includes enough protein, fat, and calories to ensure that requirements for all essential nutrients are met.

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If your body needs more, we will suggest the right supplements for you.

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What Are the Benefits of the Ketogenic Diet?

Once your blood glucose and insulin are brought into a healthy range, you may notice benefits like:

  • Needing less diabetes medication

  • Losing unwanted fat

  • Better control of hunger and cravings

  • Lower blood pressure

  • Lower triglycerides (blood fats)

  • Improved cardiovascular health

  • More energy, better focus and sleep

  • Less anxiety or mood swings

  • Less paranoia, suicidal ideation, panic, delusions and hallucinations

  • Better overall quality of life 

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NOTE: These improvements will vary from one person to another, depending on health status, and these results cannot be guaranteed. 

 
Can Ketogenic Therapy Help the Brain?

Yes. For over 100 years, the ketogenic diet has been used to treat epilepsy. This shows that it can help stabilise brain chemistry.

New research suggests it may help with other brain conditions, too.

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People have reported improvement with:

  • Binge eating disorder

  • Food addiction

  • Bipolar disorder

  • Schizophrenia

  • Schizoaffective disorder

  • Autism

  • ADHD

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Early Alzheimer’s

  • Mood, memory, and thinking

 
How Long Before I See Results?

In our experience with patients, most people experience at least some degree of clinical improvement if they use ketogenic therapy for at least 12 weeks, with some people needing more time, between 6-12 months.

 

Some people experience full relief from psychiatric symptoms without the need for psychiatric medication, some people can eventually reduce their use of psychiatric medications, and a small number can completely discontinue psychiatric medication with the support of their doctor. 

 

However, it is important to understand that there are some people who experience no psychiatric benefit from ketogenic therapy.
 

What If Ketogenic Therapy Isn’t Right for Me?

Ketogenic therapy is not the only option. If it's not working or doesn't suit you, we can try:

  • Whole foods diets

  • Elimination diets

  • Other non-ketogenic plans that will still support your brain health

 

Your plan will be personalised to your needs. 

 

Contact Details

If you have any questions, please reach out to us anytime. There is no such thing as a silly question - we have heard everything before. 

You can contact our practice manager Natalie via the email below. She will answer your questions and support you to get set up with our services. Dr Bellamy will then support you throughout your ketogenic therapy program. 

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Email: hello@ikrt.org
Website: www.ikrt.org

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Before You Start 

What to Know

  1. You need to be in full control of your medications.

  2. We do not and will not manage or prescribe medication for you.

  3. Do not stop or change your medications unless your doctor or psychiatrist tells you to.

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We will provide a letter for your doctor. Please give this to your doctor before you begin ketogenic therapy.

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This is not medical care, medical advice, or psychiatric treatment. This is education and support. Your doctor is still responsible for your mental and physical healthcare.

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You are responsible for communicating with your doctor and other health professionals. We do not coordinate care or speak with your doctor directly. However, we will teach you how to discuss ketogenic and metabolic strategies with your medical team.

 

The role of this program is to:

-  provide education on ketogenic metabolic therapy so that you can decide for yourself how you want to implement the information.

-  provide a ketogenic informed professional as part of your existing treatment team.
 

 

What You Need to Do and Purchase

You need to arrange for blood tests before starting. These include:
 

  • Vitamin B12 (active)

  • B12 + RCF (Red Cell Folate)

  • C-Reactive Protein

  • Full Blood Count

  • Ferritin Folate (serum)

  • HBA1C

  • Insulin

  • Liver Function Tests

  • Lipid Profile

  • Blood Glucose

  • Selenium

  • Thyroid Profile

  • Urea and Electrolytes

  • Urate/Uric Acid

  • Vitamin D

  • Zinc

 

Your doctor may be able to source these for you, otherwise you may need to seek a private company such as Randox UK, Randox EU, Medichecks HomeKit UK or OwnYourLabs US to run them for you.

 

If these are difficult to source or out of reach financially for you, the most important tests to purchase are:

  • Vitamin D

  • Vitamin B12

 

These can often be purchased through Medichecks and carried out at home.

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Once you have results:

  • Review them with your doctor - ask them if they are within range or if you need to add a supplement.

  • Upload your results to your secure profile here if you would like IKRT to review them with regards to ketogenic therapy: https://ikrt.practicebetter.io/

  • If you find it difficult to navigate technology, please email your results to us at hello@ikrt.org, and we will upload them to your profile for you.
     

You will need to purchase the following items before starting a program:

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After You Start 

 

 

Medications and Supplements

If you are taking medications, you must have a doctor, psychiatrist or mental health professional who can prescribe and adjust medications if needed. Do not stop or change your medications unless your doctor tells you to.

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If you are currently taking supplements prescribed by other professionals or are receiving conflicting advice, this program may not work for you. If you plan to start a new supplement, please talk to us first. This is because some supplements can interfere with your diet or medications.

 
What Can You Expect

As your body adjusts to the ketogenic diet, you may experience some changes. Many are temporary and manageable. Below is a guide to help you understand what might happen and what you should do.

 
Common side effects

Some people may feel unwell while going through ketogenic-adaptation. These symptoms usually go away within 5 to 10 days.

 

Symptoms include:

  • Headaches or lightheadedness

  • Nausea 

  • Fatigue

  • Moodiness / Irritability 

  • Carbohydrate cravings

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Exercise intolerance

  • Palpitations

  • Insomnia

  • Leg or foot cramps

  • Constipation
     

These effects are normal and often improve quickly.

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Mental Health Symptoms

Some people may experience some psychiatric effects while in keto-adaptation. These usually improve by week 3.

 

Possible symptoms:

  • Temporary worsening of depression

  • Anxiety

  • Onset of manic symptoms

  • Agitation

  • Irritability

 

If you experience any of these symptoms, please let us know. We will watch closely and adjust the plan if needed. You must keep your doctor or psychiatrist informed of these changes too in case they need to adjust your medications.

 
Medications with Ketogenic Therapy

Some serious and potentially dangerous side effects are possible when the ketogenic diet is combined with certain medications.

If you are on these medications, you must let us know before starting a program. These may need to be reduced or changed as you adjust to being in ketosis. This is especially true for drugs used for:

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  • Diabetes

  • High blood pressure

  • Heart disease

  • Fluid retention

 
Less Common Side Effects

Some side effects may occur even after the early adaptation phase, but they are rare. They can include:

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  • Persistent insomnia

  • Persistent depression or other mood issues

  • Persistent constipation

  • Episodes of diarrhoea

  • Increased sensitivity to alcohol and other substances

  • Increased sensitivity to medication

  • Kidney stones
     

If you or your family has a history of kidney stones, please tell us before you start a ketogenic diet so that we can personalise your diet and supplements for you.

 

If Things Become Unsafe

If we become concerned that you are no longer safe or well, we will encourage you to contact your doctor straight away. If you disclose something serious, like plans to self-harm or being at immediate risk, we will encourage you to contact your doctor or the emergency services straight away.


 

Risks and What to Do 

 

 

Important Information About Our Role 

Dr Erin Bellamy is a Doctor of Psychology and a Chartered Psychologist. She is a Metabolic Health Practitioner. She is not a medical doctor.

This means she is highly trained in psychological health and metabolic support (specifically ketogenic therapy), but cannot prescribe, diagnose, or manage medical conditions.

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She and IKRT are not responsible for your mental or physical medical care. That is the role of your doctor. If you feel unwell or unsure about your health, contact your doctor first. We are your second call, not your emergency contact.

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Do not stop or adjust your medications unless your doctor tells you to.

 

How to Communicate Changes or Concerns

If something doesn’t feel normal for you, tell us:

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We don’t live in your body. You are responsible for flagging changes in how you feel. The body is complex, and not everything will be related to the therapy. We may recommend that you see a doctor to discuss your concerns.

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What to Do in an Emergency or If You Don’t Feel Well

Here is what we can and can't do - 

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We can:

  • Help you implement ketogenic therapy safely and effectively to improve your metabolic health. This includes your mental and physical health

  • Help you advocate for yourself with your doctor and medical professionals

  • Teach you the science so you can apply it yourself

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We cannot:

  • Adjust your medications or advise on this

  • Provide psychological or therapeutic care - you must see a clinical psychologist or therapist for this

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IKRT is not a crisis service and is not available on demand.

 

If you are in an emotional or medical crisis:

  1. Contact your doctor

  2. Call your country’s emergency medical or mental health line

  3. Do not wait for us to respond. We are not available on demand

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When to Call an Ambulance

Call emergency services immediately if:

  • You cannot get through to your doctor, and you feel unwell enough that you may harm yourself or someone else.​

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