U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Claimed on Wednesday that the ketogenic, or keto, diet could “cure” schizophrenia, a statement swiftly disputed by medical experts. Kennedy made the assertion at an event in Tennessee promoting new nutrition guidelines that emphasize a diet rich in red meat, whole milk, and animal fats, according to reports.
Kennedy stated that a Harvard University doctor had “cured schizophrenia using keto diets” and suggested that individuals had even “lost their bipolar diagnosis” through dietary changes. He specifically referenced a “Dr. Pollan,” but experts have indicated he likely meant Christopher Palmer, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Palmer, however, refuted Kennedy’s claim. “While I appreciate the secretary’s [apparent] enthusiasm for my research, I have never claimed to cure schizophrenia, and I have never used the word cure in any of my talks or my research,” Palmer stated. Preliminary studies have suggested that a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet might reduce schizophrenia symptoms in some individuals, but experts caution against characterizing it as a cure.
The ketogenic diet typically involves obtaining at least 70 percent of daily calories from fat, around 20 percent from protein, and minimizing carbohydrate intake. Kennedy’s promotion of the diet coincides with the release of new government nutritional guidance that encourages increased consumption of red meat and full-fat dairy products – a departure from previous recommendations.
Experts have expressed concern that Kennedy is overstating the early evidence regarding the ketogenic diet’s impact on schizophrenia. The studies examining the diet as an intervention for psychiatric patients typically focus on those who have not responded to traditional pharmaceutical treatments. The Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Kennedy’s statements.
The claims have drawn criticism from the medical community, with many pointing out the lack of conclusive evidence supporting a “cure” for schizophrenia through dietary changes. The new dietary guidelines, which also emphasize protein intake, have also faced scrutiny, as experts note that most Americans already consume sufficient protein.
