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The ketogenic diet, known for its high-fat and low-carb principles, is emerging as a potential game-changer in the realm of mental health. 

Iain Campbell, who battled bipolar disorder, experienced a transformative shift in his well-being after adopting the ketogenic lifestyle. Inspired by this personal journey, Campbell pursued a Ph.D. in mental health to explore the diet's impact on mental illnesses.

Despite initial skepticism, clinicians like Dr. Chris Palmer at Harvard Medical School observed remarkable improvements in patients with conditions such as schizoaffective disorder. This led to the initiation of around a dozen clinical trials, backed by philanthropic support, to delve into the diet's effects on bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anorexia, alcoholism, and PTSD.

Metabolic psychiatry

The ketogenic diet, originally designed for pediatric epilepsy, is now being considered in psychiatry due to its influence on metabolic health. It induces ketosis, alters metabolic processes and addresses issues like insulin sensitivity and oxidative stress, potentially explaining its therapeutic effects. 

This interest aligns with a broader movement known as metabolic psychiatry, highlighting the link between metabolic health and mental well-being. While early evidence is promising, the field acknowledges the necessity of larger clinical trials to ascertain the ketogenic diet's role in revolutionizing mental health interventions.

Keto diet and mental well-being

With the existing link between the gut and the brain, researchers have looked into the effects of a ketogenic diet on mental health in the past.

In a study, researchers found that implementing a whole-food ketogenic diet was safe and associated with significant improvements in mental and physical health for 28 hospitalized patients with major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Symptoms improved within three weeks, with 43% achieving clinical remission. The patients also experienced notable improvements in metabolic health markers.

In a systematic review, researchers explored the potential efficacy of low carbohydrate and ketogenic diets in adults with mood and anxiety disorders. Among 12 heterogeneous studies, evidence suggests potential benefits, particularly for bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and unipolar depression and anxiety.