Neurologist Dr Matthew Phillips Photo: Matthew Phillips
Hamilton based clinical and research neurologist Dr Matthew Phillips is frustrated by how little he and his colleagues can help patients with degenerative brain disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as cancer.
Drug treatments can lessen symptoms but there’s no effective preventive or curative regime for conditions currently affecting over 80,000 New Zealanders. The diseases are expected to become more common as our population ages.
Dr Phillips is trialling a radical but simple new treatment approach: using metabolic therapies such as fasting and very low carbohydrate Ketogenic diets. The aim is to restore mitochondrial function, which he sees as the foundation for health.
Photo: 123RF
