Episode 193: Dr Matthew Phillips

Dr. Matthew Phillips, after concluding his neurology training in Melbourne, decided against pursuing further specialization in a specific neurological disorder. This decision led him on a three-year journey exploring unconventional therapeutic approaches he hadn’t previously considered. It was during this period that Dr. Phillips discovered the potential of metabolic therapies, notably fasting and ketogenic diets, as promising treatments for various disorders. Inspired by this revelation, he re-joined the medical field as a neurologist in New Zealand. Here, with the support of his colleagues, Dr. Phillips began integrating these therapies into the treatment of some of the most challenging neurological disorders, evaluating their feasibility, safety, and potential to improve patient outcomes.

In discussions with host Brian Lenzkes, Dr. Phillips explores the role of diet in managing neurodegenerative diseases, the connection between gut health and neurodegeneration, the impact of the ketogenic diet on Parkinson’s Disease, the use of exogenous ketones, and the reasons behind the development of a sweet tooth in individuals with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. They also delve into the benefits of cold water and sauna therapies, the significance of social interaction for health, the dangers of work-related stress, the need for a shift in the Western healthcare model, the judicious use of drugs in metabolic diseases, and commonalities among patients with neurodegenerative conditions.