Ketogenic Diet intervention on metabolic and psychiatric health in Bipolar and Schizophrenia: A pilot trial
The ketogenic diet (KD), also referred to as metabolic therapy, has demonstrated efficacy in addressing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and epilepsy. Recently, KD has emerged as a promising treatment for psychiatric disorders. We conducted a four-month pilot study to explore the impact of KD on individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder who had preexisting metabolic issues. Twenty-three participants took part in a single-arm trial, revealing notable improvements in metabolic health, with none of the participants meeting the criteria for metabolic syndrome by the study’s end. Fidelity to the diet granted the participants substantial decreases in body mass index (BMI, 12%), weight (12%), waist circumference (13%), and visceral adipose tissue (36%). Biomarker improvements were also observed, including a 25% reduction in triglyceride levels and a 27% decrease in HOMA-IR. The overall severity of Clinical Global Impression (CGI) ratings improved by an average of 31%, with 79% of participants who initially presented with elevated symptoms showing improvement of at least one point on CGI. Evaluation of psychiatric variables showed that participants diagnosed with schizophrenia had experienced a 32% reduction in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores. Moreover, the authors noted improved psychiatric outcomes, including improved sleep quality (19%) and increased life satisfaction (17%). The authors conclude that this pilot trial underscores the potential benefits of incorporating ketogenic dietary treatment as an adjunctive therapy for individuals grappling with severe mental illness.
Year: 2024
