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Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy

Evidence-informed definition Updated September 27, 2026 How to cite this entry

Ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) is a medically supervised dietary intervention that uses a very-low-carbohydrate, high-fat, adequate-protein diet to induce and maintain nutritional ketosis, a metabolic state in which the body produces ketones as an alternative fuel for the brain and other tissues. It combines an individualized ketogenic diet with clinical monitoring to support therapeutic goals. Established for treating drug-resistant epilepsy, KMT is also being investigated for its potential to influence brain energy metabolism and mental health, although its effectiveness for psychiatric conditions remains under study.

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Written by Ephi Morphew-Lu
Reviewed by CNP Encyclopedia Editorial Board
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CNP (2026). Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy. In CNP Encyclopedia Editorial Board (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology. The Center for Nutritional Psychology.

https://www.nutritional-psychology.org.
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