Ketogenic diet Shows Promise in Reducing Depression Symptoms by Up to 71%,Study Finds
New research indicates a ketogenic diet may substantially reduce symptoms of severe depression. A pilot study revealed students with treatment-resistant depression experienced a reduction in symptoms by 69 to 71 percent after ten to twelve weeks on the diet - a result exceeding the typical 50 percent improvement seen with medication and counseling.
The ketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate regimen, shifts the body’s primary fuel source from glucose to ketones. The initial study involved sixteen participants who continued to utilize existing treatments like antidepressants and therapy while adopting the diet.
Notably, improvements were rapid, with participants reporting a 37 percent decrease in depression symptoms after just two weeks. Alongside mood improvements,participants also experienced enhanced well-being,memory,and cognitive function,with an average weight loss of five kilograms – though weight loss wasn’t directly correlated to mood improvement.
These findings are supported by a large-scale meta-analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry,encompassing 50 studies and 41,718 participants,which confirmed the positive impact of ketogenic diets on depressive symptoms,particularly when ketosis was verified.
Researchers theorize the diet’s benefits stem from multiple factors: reduced inflammation, improved mitochondrial function, increased levels of the calming neurotransmitter GABA, decreased glutamate, and a measured 32 percent increase in BDNF, a brain protein often diminished in individuals with depression.
Researchers stress that a ketogenic diet should not replace professional mental health care, but may serve as a beneficial adjunct to existing treatments. Further, larger clinical trials are necessary to assess long-term effects.
