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Association between ketogenic diets and depression: A cross-sectional analysis of the NHANES 2005–2023 August
The ketogenic diet (KD) is a popular intervention for managing epilepsy and neurodegenerative conditions. Research suggests that glutamate, a key excitatory neurotransmitter, is often elevated in individuals with depression. Since ketone bodies—the primary products of the ketogenic diet—can suppress glutamate metabolism, they may influence the development or severity of depression. However, the precise link between ketogenic dietary patterns and depression risk is still unclear. This cross-sectional study by Ren et al. (2025) utilized data from the years 2005 to 2023 of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to examine the relationship between the ketogenic diet ratio (KDR) and the risk of depression, employing multivariable logistic regression models. The research revealed a substantial negative relationship between KDR and depression risk after controlling for several potential confounding variables. Further analysis showed that individuals with a KDR below 0.35 had a markedly reduced likelihood of depression. Subgroup studies showed that in some clinical or demographic categories, this protective effect was more pronounced. Furthermore, there was a clear link between KDR and depression severity, with higher KDR values associated with milder forms of depression. Higher ketogenic diet ratios are linked to lower depression risk and reduced severity of symptoms, especially in specific subpopulations. These findings warrant further exploration into the underlying biological mechanisms connecting ketogenic metabolism and mental health outcomes. [NPID: Ketogenic diet, depression risk, glutamate metabolism, ketone bodies, NHANES, dietary patterns, depression severity, KDR, mental health]
Year: 2025
