Navigation
Ketogenic diets in clinical psychology: Examining the evidence and implications for practice
The use of ketogenic diet in mental health treatments is gaining recognition in medical and psychiatric circles, although its application in clinical psychology is still underexplored. This review by Laurent et al. (2024) examines the potential effects of ketogenic diets, which have been traditionally used for neurological disorders, in the context of broader mental healthcare practices. The review provides an overview of existing research on ketogenic diets, focusing on their historical use, biological mechanisms, and therapeutic advantages. It explores how these diets might be integrated into mental health treatments and their significance for research and practice in clinical psychology. In addition to outlining the therapeutic advantages of ketogenic diets, the review presents the molecular mechanisms that underlie them, including neurotransmitter modulation, inflammation reduction, and stability of brain energy metabolism. These factors could be important for biopsychosocial approaches in clinical psychology. In conclusion, clinical psychologists could expand their practice by incorporating metabolic therapies like ketogenic diets, offering a more comprehensive model of care that includes this dietary approach in psychiatric treatment. The review calls for further research and training to effectively help clinical psychologists implement this metabolic psychiatry intervention. [NPID: Psychology, clinical psychology, ketogenic diet, ketogenic metabolic therapy, metabolic psychiatry, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression]
Year: 2024
