The Current Status of the Ketogenic Diet in Psychiatry

This review investigates the ketogenic diet (KD) in psychiatric conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and ADHD. KD improves symptoms in animal models, showing reductions in anxiety and depression-like behaviors, mood stabilization, and decreased social deficits. However, human evidence is limited, mostly anecdotal or from small uncontrolled studies. Mechanisms involve enhanced energy metabolism, reduced neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter regulation, but adherence and standardization pose challenges.

The ketogenic diet might be worth exploring for managing certain psychiatric symptoms, especially when traditional treatments are insufficient. However, human evidence is limited, so pursue this option only under medical supervision to balance potential benefits with risks like nutrient deficiencies or metabolic disturbances.