Ketogenic Diet May Enhance Treatment for Severe Mental Illnesses

A Standford medicine pilot study suggests that incorporating a ketogenic diet alongside standard treatment may significantly benefit patients with severe mental illnesses, both in terms of metabolic health and psychiatric symptoms. The ketogenic diet known for its high fat, low carbohydrate, and moderate protein composition, has previously demonstrated effectiveness in managing conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and mental health disorders.

Psychiatric symptoms also improved significantly, with a decrease in severity and an increase in life satisfaction, overall functioning, and sleep quality for those strictly following the diet. This improvement is thought to be related to the ketogenic diet’s impact on brain chemistry and energy metabolism.