Keto Diet Shows Promise for Both Mental Health and Metabolism
There's encouraging news for people struggling with severe mental illness and metabolic conditions. A pilot study by Stanford Medicine suggests that a ketogenic diet, alongside standard medication, might offer a double benefit: improved mental health symptoms and better metabolic health.
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate approach that forces the body to burn fat for fuel instead of glucose (sugar from carbs). This metabolic shift, called ketosis, has been shown effective for treating epilepsy. Researchers at Stanford reasoned that it might hold promise for psychiatric conditions as well.
The pilot study involved participants with severe mental illness who also had metabolic issues. Over four months, they followed a ketogenic diet while continuing their regular medication regimen. The results were positive:
- Participants experienced significant weight loss.
- Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, was reversed.
- Psychiatric assessments showed a 31% improvement in symptoms.
This is promising, but it's important to note that this was a pilot study, meaning it was small-scale. Larger studies are needed to confirm the findings.
If you're interested in trying a ketogenic diet, it's crucial to consult with your doctor first. This diet can have side effects, and it's not suitable for everyone.
Source:
Medical News Today
Arul Valizers
Hi there! 👋 I'm Arul Valizers, a passionate content specialist and blogger with a knack for crafting compelling stories.
