
The Metabolic Link
Implementation of Ketogenic and Low Carbohydrate Therapies for Metabolic Disease | Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE | The Metabolic Link Ep. 101
Ketogenic and low-carbohydrate diets often focus on a specific carbohydrate target: keep your net carbs under 30 grams. But as registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator Franziska Spritzler demonstrates in this presentation from Metabolic Health Summit, a carbohydrate target is not a therapy. Effective implementation means a full assessment of medical history, medications, labs, food preferences, lifestyle, and the motivation that will carry a patient through year one and beyond. Spritzler specializes in low-carbohydrate and ketogenic nutrition and has extensive experience helping people use these approaches to improve metabolic health. The creator of lowcarbdietitian.com , she walks through the practical decisions clinicians face: when a ketogenic diet is warranted versus a more flexible low-carbohydrate approach, why she recommends 1.2 to 1.8 grams of protein per kilogram rather than the RDA's 0.8, how to manage medication adjustments for patients at risk of hypoglycemia or hypotension, and how to handle electrolytes, carbohydrate counting, sweeteners, and plant-based variations without losing the patient along the way. Questions Answered in This Episode: • What actually separates a ketogenic diet from a low-carbohydrate diet, and when does the difference matter? • Why is the protein RDA too low for long-term metabolic health, and what range does Spritzler recommend instead? • Who should avoid ketogenic diets entirely, and why are most contraindications manageable with closer supervision? • How should medications be monitored and adjusted when a patient begins carbohydrate restriction? • Should patients count net carbs or total carbs, and why are packaged "net carb" labels unreliable? • Can a ketogenic diet be done as a vegetarian or vegan? A practice-tested blueprint for turning carbohydrate restriction from a prescription into a therapy patients can sustain. Special thanks to the sponsors of this episode: ✅ Genova Connect: Get 15% off any Genova Connect test kit with code METABOLICLINK here . ✅ iRestore: Get a special discount on the iRestore Illumina Face Mask with code LINK here . ✅ fatty15: Get an additional 50% off a 90-day subscription starter kit with code METABOLICLINK . ✅ Zocdoc: Find and instantly book a top-rated doctor here . More Links • Franziska's website: lowcarbdietitian.com • The Metabolic Initiative (expert lectures, CME, ad-free episodes, live Q&As; first 7 days free): membership.metabolicinitiative.com In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in! You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel ! In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in! You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel ! Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

