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Impact of Ketogenic Diet on Metabolic and Psychiatric Health in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
The implications of dietary interventions for individuals with psychotic disorders are significant, particularly regarding metabolic health. A recent randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a ketogenic diet on metabolic functions, psychiatric symptoms, and cognitive performance among participants diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum and bipolar-1 disorders.
In this study, 58 participants were divided into two groups: one received a ketogenic diet (KETO; n = 28) while the other followed their usual diet (DAU; n = 30) for one month. Subsequently, a subgroup of participants was given the option to continue the ketogenic diet for an additional three months (n = 25). The researchers evaluated metabolic health, clinical symptoms, and cognitive performance after both one and four months.
Results indicated that KETO participants maintained daily ketone levels above the established ketosis threshold. Compared to the DAU group, those on the ketogenic diet experienced significant weight loss (Padj < 0.001), reduced hemoglobin A1c levels (Padj = 0.05), and improved insulin resistance (Padj = 0.05). Furthermore, clinical symptoms, including positive and negative aspects, as well as depressive symptoms, improved over the four-month period (all P-values < 0.001). Cognitive performance also improved significantly within the KETO group.
Notably, the rise in blood ketone levels among KETO participants was associated with improvements in prediabetic markers and reductions in depressive symptoms (all P-values < 0.001). Interestingly, the reduction in weight did not correlate with the improvements in metabolic and psychiatric symptoms.
This study underscores the feasibility of implementing a ketogenic diet for outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar-1 disorder. The findings suggest that ketosis may serve as the underlying therapeutic mechanism contributing to improvements in metabolic health and mental wellness, particularly in reducing depressive symptoms. [NPID: Ketogenic,
Year: 2026
