San Francisco, CA – A recent clinical trial led by researchers at Stanford Medicine has revealed promising results regarding the impact of a ketogenic diet on individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The study involved 23 patients who followed a diet consisting of low carbohydrates, moderate protein, and high fat for a period of four months.
The researchers discovered that after adhering to the ketogenic diet, 79 percent of participants showed significant improvement in their psychiatric symptoms. These findings are part of a growing body of research that highlights the connection between brain health and dietary choices. Despite its small scale and short duration, the study suggests that dietary modifications may have a meaningful effect on patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
According to Shebani Sethi, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford Medicine and the lead author of the study, the ketogenic diet may address metabolic issues that contribute to the development of psychiatric symptoms. The study participants were advised to reduce carbohydrate intake, increase vegetable and salad consumption, and stay hydrated throughout the study period.
Participants who maintained the ketogenic diet experienced improvements in body weight, waist circumference, and visceral adipose tissue. Additionally, none of the participants met the criteria for metabolic syndrome after four months on the diet, indicating a positive impact on overall health.
While the results of the clinical trial are encouraging, experts like Uma Naidoo and Drew Ramsey emphasize the need for further research and larger studies to validate these findings. Naidoo, a nutritional psychiatrist, highlights that nutritional psychiatry is an emerging field that warrants attention, but underscores the importance of personalized treatment approaches for individuals with mental illnesses.
The ketogenic diet, originally used to treat epilepsy over a century ago, has garnered renewed interest in recent years due to its potential benefits for weight loss and metabolic health. However, experts caution against misinformation surrounding the diet and advise monitoring for potential side effects such as headaches and fatigue when transitioning to a high-fat diet.
Overall, while the initial findings of the clinical trial are promising, researchers stress the importance of conducting randomized controlled trials with a larger participant pool to further explore the efficacy of the ketogenic diet in managing psychiatric illnesses. Future studies may also investigate the diet’s impact on conditions like bulimia and binge-eating disorder, shedding light on its potential applications beyond weight management.