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Epileptic pathological conditions in children and adults, cardiometabolic diseases — the ketogenic diet (KD) has long been used for prevention and even as an adjunct treatment for these diseases. At the same time, the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of the ketogenic diet may have the potential for the prevention and/or combined treatment of a wide range of mental disorders.
Scientists from several research centers in Greece and Italy analyzed existing clinical data on the potential positive impact of KD in counteracting stress, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorders.
Prevalence and Effect of the Ketogenic Diet
The market size for the ketogenic diet was estimated at $11.62 billion USD in 2023 and $12.38 billion USD in 2024. It is expected to grow at 5.96% and reach $17.44 billion USD by 2030. This figure only accounts for the purchase of specially labeled “keto” products. That means those who simply follow the diet using regular groceries are almost not considered here.
The rules are simple. High fat content (65-80%), moderate protein (20-25%), and low carbohydrates (5-10%) from the total diet. As a result of such nutrition, the body starts using fats instead of glucose. The main effect: fairly rapid weight loss — up to 9.6 kg in the first six months. Among others: confirmed reduction of inflammation due to strict carbohydrate restriction, decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and relief of type 2 diabetes symptoms. Additionally, the neurological impact of the ketogenic diet in the therapy of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, as well as drug-resistant epilepsy, has been studied.
About the Study
Scientists conducted a comprehensive literature review on the beneficial effects of the ketogenic diet on stress, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression. To achieve this, they performed a thorough search in scientific databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, using effective and representative keywords to identify suitable animal and human studies.
Some of these keywords included “ketogenic diet and anxiety,” “ketogenic diet and psychiatric disorders,” “ketogenic diet and mental disorders,” “ketogenic diet and neurobiological effects,” and “carbohydrate restriction or calorie restriction.” The analysis included articles published in English exclusively in peer-reviewed journals.
Results
Animal studies have shown that the ketogenic diet (KD) effectively alleviates symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. However, existing clinical data remains inconclusive.
Differences between animal studies and clinical trials were also observed regarding the anxiolytic effects of the ketogenic diet. Although clinical studies reported a reduction in anxiety levels following KD, not all showed significant improvements.
The relationship between KD and stress response is complex. One study reported higher adrenal sensitivity and corticosterone levels in rodents. Another study documented improved cognitive function and metabolic parameters in rats subjected to chronic stress. Overall, these results highlight the intricate connections between behavior, neuroendocrine pathways, and metabolism.
KD has shown a beneficial effect in the therapy of schizophrenia in both animal and clinical studies. There is a lack of evidence regarding the efficacy of KD in treating bipolar disorder. Some studies reported a reduction in symptom severity and improved mood stability. However, the reliability of these results needs to be established through larger randomized clinical trials.
Although the currently available evidence seems promising, it is highly recommended to accomplish larger, long-term, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials with a prospective design, in order to derive conclusive results as to whether KD could act as a potential preventative factor or even a co-treatment agent against stress, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Study authors
