Promising Results from a Pilot Trial: Ketogenic Diet Shows Metabolic and Psychiatric Benefits in Bipolar and Schizophrenia

In an innovative pilot study, researchers from institutions including Stanford Medicine and Duke University have discovered that a ketogenic diet can significantly improve the metabolic and psychiatric health of individuals suffering from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This diet, traditionally used in the treatment of epilepsy, may now pave the way for new approaches in managing serious mental illnesses.

The ketogenic diet, or KD, compels the body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates, producing ketone bodies as an alternative energy source for the brain. This metabolic therapy has shown promise in addressing obesity, type 2 diabetes, and, more recently, psychiatric disorders.

The single-arm trial spanned four months and involved twenty-three participants diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder who also exhibited metabolic abnormalities. Remarkably, by the end of the study, none of the participants met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Adherent individuals experienced significant reductions in weight (12%), BMI (12%), waist circumference (13%), and visceral adipose tissue (36%). Moreover, a decrease in HOMA-IR by 27% and triglycerides by 25% was noted.

In terms of mental health, participants with schizophrenia saw a 32% reduction in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores. On average, the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) severity improved by 31%, and life satisfaction increased by 17% across the cohort. These results indicate that a ketogenic diet could be a valuable adjunct treatment for patients struggling with severe mental illness.

The trial's findings are especially significant given the growing life expectancy gap between the general population and those with schizophrenia. The ketogenic diet might offer a solution that reduces the undesirable metabolic effects of neuroleptic medication while maintaining the neuroprotective benefits.

While common side effects of the ketogenic diet were reported initially, such as headache and fatigue, they significantly subsided after the third week. Participants expressed positive personal experiences, highlighting the diet's life-changing impacts and potential to save lives through mood stabilization and other improvements.

The researchers urge caution, as the study's small size and lack of a control group limit the generalizability of the findings. However, the results are encouraging, demonstrating that the ketogenic diet is a feasible and effective treatment adjunct for outpatients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is necessary to validate these findings and explore the long-term prospects of this dietary intervention.

For a comprehensive look at this groundbreaking study, visit the original article in Psychiatry Research at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115866.

This article was built with the help of Buoy Health.