The Ketogenic Diet as a Treatment for Mood Disorders

Abstract

Abstract Purpose of Review The ketogenic diet is a low carbohydrate, moderate protein, and high fat diet which results in a metabolic state known as ketosis, in which fats are broken down into ketone bodies. The ketogenic diet is a 100-year-old evidence-based treatment for epilepsy and is gaining popularity as a treatment for various mental disorders, including mood disorders. Our objective is to explain the potential mechanisms through which ketogenic diets may improve the pathophysiology of mood disorders and provide a comprehensive review of recent clinical literature on the topic Recent Findings Mood disorders are associated with several proposed pathophysiological mechanisms, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance. The ketogenic diet shows promise in addressing these underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and emerging clinical data suggest that ketogenic diets may improve symptoms in people with mood disorders. Summary The ketogenic diet shows promise in the treatment of mood disorders. This metabolic intervention has the potential to directly target underlying disease mechanisms, potentially reduce the need for medications, and reduce common side effects and comorbidities, such as weight gain and insulin resistance.