The Keto Cure? Groundbreaking Research into Metabolic Treatments for Mental Health Conditions
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Can the Keto Diet Revolutionize Mental Health Treatment?
Emerging research suggests that metabolic treatments like the ketogenic diet could be groundbreaking for mental health. Traditionally used to manage epilepsy, the keto diet—a high-fat, low-carb, moderate-protein approach—induces ketosis, a state where the body uses fat as its primary energy source. This metabolic shift may improve brain function by stabilizing neuronal activity, reducing inflammation, and enhancing mitochondrial health. These benefits are now being explored for severe mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression.
One study found that 43% of patients with severe psychiatric disorders achieved remission on a medical ketogenic diet, and all participants experienced symptom improvement. Stories like Lauren Kennedy West’s—who used keto to manage her schizoaffective disorder and eventually stopped psychiatric medications—highlight its transformative potential.
Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Chris Palmer theorizes that mental illnesses are rooted in metabolic dysfunction. By addressing underlying metabolic issues, interventions like keto, intermittent fasting, and exercise could revolutionize treatment. However, while the results are promising, challenges remain. Adherence to keto can be difficult, and long-term effects on gut health and nutrient balance require further research.
Metabolic treatments offer hope and a fresh perspective for those seeking alternatives to traditional mental health approaches. Always consult a professional before trying such interventions.
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https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.951376/full
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178124001513?via%3Dihub
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/01/27/1227062470/keto-ketogenic-diet-mental-illness-bipolar-depression
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/diagnosis-diet/202207/new-study-serious-mental-illness-improves-ketogenic-diet
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/advancing-psychiatry/201909/making-sense-nutritional-psychiatry
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-open/article/ketosis-and-bipolar-disorder-controlled-analytic-study-of-online-reports/24F5057C04622AB3306F638F3FFB7D65
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8120987/
00:00 Intro
01:18 Why Keto You May Ask?
01:46 What Is A Medical Keto Diet?
02:24 Keto and Mental Health
08:07 Is It Practical?
Click below to access the transcript:
The Keto Cure? Groundbreaking Research into Metabolic Treatments for Mental Health Conditions
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In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life’s direction.
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45 Comments
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They used it on epileptics years ago to reduce seizures
I suffered from OCD from childhood – early adulthood. At my worst, I spent 3-4 hours per day completing compulsions and double that internally “obsessing.” I lost relationships, jobs, and overall my life.
I discovered Chris Palmer on Andrew Huberman’s podcast and read his book shortly after. I followed a ketogenic diet religiously for ~1.5 years and am symptom free today.
Is it possible for someone who has been using meth for 7 years daily repair their brain and by the use of amino acids to replenish neurotransmitters along with Keto? Has there been any studies or success stories you know of?
Is there a platform or website where people can share experiences and/ask questions about health stuff including medications and supplements? Please share
Thanks for this video. But you need to stop pretending that there isn't research out there that completely validates all of the things you said. They know exactly how a ketogenic diet Works to reduce inflammation that causes all of these disorders. They've been using this diet therapeutically for 100 years now and there has been constant anecdotal information along with actual research that shows exactly how and why this works. Maybe you need to stop looking to the pharmaceutical industry for your research because they're the only ones telling anyone that they don't know how this works and putting any skepticism towards therapy.
This diet can be life changing. I wish more providers and patients looked seriously at diet before they jumped to medications. There's just a mindset that is hard to break through. Along with improving mood and clarity, it also helps keep my arthritis in check. Thank you for all the great info you provide.
REMEDY IS İZZET GÜLLÜ
So exciting !! THANK YOU FOR SHARING 🙏🌸🙏✨🫂❤️
A study without controls is useless except to suggest further studies. Forming any conclusions is dangerous.
It doesn’t seem to help my anxiety by any stretch of the imagination but I certsintly felt more energy temporarily
Eating fiber is a lie we’ve all been told and been indoctrinated into believing.
I don't speak English well… I can't hear in this video the word "keto". I hear "kedo / kido" <keedou>. 🤔 Why? Is something wrong with me?
Vitamin B12 😊
Carbs and processed foods cause unbelievable damage to your mental and physical health. Keto is the way
I Never Tried Keto, But I Will Soon, Thanks — Take Care Of Your Beautiful Mind & Mental Health 🙂
I heard it's not good long term for overall health
I wonder if this would help with Fibromyalgia, which is a type of brain disorder. I might give it a try.
You might go to YouTube for "Dr Zoe Harcombe PhD-what about fiber" 30 minutes of study to relieve your anxiety over fiber.
I remember working at a deli back in 2017 and for some reason it was my most “favorite” job I ever had and I never understood why. I remembered I was following a strict keto diet at the time and i apparently just liked life in general
Keto is not a healthy diet and is not natural to most humans. I worry about long-term fallout from this practice.
Amazing thanks so much for sharing this!
A schizophrenic came up with this idea didn't they? This is so dumb it's not even funny.
Sugar and white flour in excess are making everybody sick. Thank you for spreading the word about Keto and it’s benefits on mental illness.
Beautiful, I love Lauren, she is amazing, one of the best examples out there
Read, "The Low Blood Sugar Handbook" in the 1990's and it recommended a low carbohydrate diet to manage schizophrenia and seizures among several other issues related to body imbalances. It is important to consider nutritional deficiencies despite whatever mainstream medical band-aid therapies that are currently promoted to address symptoms by the current medical establishment. Doing a cut and dry treatment plan for every person struggling despite its low assimilation in such a cookie cutter fashion is detrimental for individuals. Remember the mental institutions and unspeakable abuse of people who had nutritional deficiencies that manifested as mental health struggles? There is no substitute for individualized holistic treatment plans for long-term, sustainable healing and hopefully yields fewer side effects.
THANK YOU for this video! The research is SPECTACULAR. Absolutely spectacular. THANK YOU for this video! When I went into ketosis, my arthritis pain absolutely disappeared. And I lost weight easily.
Two things – it is NOT hard to get all your nutritional needs met when not eating carbohydrates. Not at all. Carbohydrate is the only on of the three macronutrients that is NOT essential. Fats and proteins are essential.
I've been in ketosis for 4 years – I only eat fatty meats. As a vegetarian/vegan, I had to take vitamin supplements to have normal blood levels. I don't need them now and my levels are always good. I'm 70.
I DO NOT need fiber. My IBS and gastritis are GONE. Just gone.
I recall with guilt and horror ALL the patients I advised to eat a low fat, plant-based diet. I was wrong. I was SO wrong. I hurt people… I can never take that back.
Keto protein smoothie recipe:-
https://youtube.com/shorts/ddxWK0SMw_s?si=2HHeryjADrrxnlqS
My ADHD gets a thousand times better on keto. I dont feel tired & drained all day & I can function decently & pay attention to things. As soom as I go off of it, the beain fog & exhaustion/laziness comes back
Very helpful thanks
A Lot ! Of truth in this, I’m a CPTSD person, I’ve found out that fixing my eating habits/ base is effective. I’ve always been a health guy – no fast foods/ high floccose / MSG/processed…when my base is off, other things go off balance along with mood’s , sleep, anxiety’s…good foods & good work environment & people = my vast improvement! Stay on the Positive!…(for me it’s been God first
I new to this girl’s videos and I’m hooked…brain food!!!!
I went off keto for a few months after being on a ketogenic diet for four years. Big mistake. My cravings were constant, my depression came back with a vengeance, and I started stress eating again. Happy to say after a 68 hour fast I am now back on track. It took two months of trying to successfully complete my longer fast. It was not easy, but I am starting to feel better.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for talking about this!!!! So important ❤
No. It's not. People implying it does are spreading misinformation. It's an extreme fad diet that marches on placebo effect and groupthink. Promoting it has reduced my confidence in your channel for accurate information.
I was referred to this video by YouTuber
Bea Caruso. She had a really informative video on how keto has improved her health- mental and physical.
Could anyone advise how to get started on keto? I'm currently carb/sugar addicted and medicated for chronic pain, insomnia and depression/anxiety. I have major issues with exhaustion for no apparent reason- pls help ! thank you 🐣
This has saved my life from decades of crippling depression.
I was keto and then low carb cycling for years. Moving to South Korea made it nearly impossible to stay in ketosis consistently so I went to a low fat diet.. there were a ton of other factors OF COURSE, but I am convinced my diet was a huge contributor to my debilitating depression that came roaring back after years of dormancy. Perimenopause hasn’t helped either but the keto has been a player
I have migrianes and the autism disorder, will it help with that?
Thank you for this interview, researching tappering my mental meds and I listen to Lauren West and Dr. Josef. Keep up the good work.
It’s crazy how diet can impact mental health. I always thought food was just about physical health, but the connection to mood and brain function is wild. Excited to see more research on keto and metabolic treatments—this could be a game-changer for so many people!
Nahhh I’m not going back I’m staying a plant based focused ketogenic guy for life. Give me plenty of sardines and goji berries too and I’m the happiest ever. I am NEVER going back. I also feel ‘cured’ of my diagnosed schizoaffective, OCD disorder. Sometimes I feel like I wasted a whole decade going up and down but it’s okay. Medications felt like I always eventually needed higher doses making me feel dazed and tired. Haloperidol uncontrollable body tremors in legs all day, Resperidone weight gain is disgusting feeling. I don’t even care what anyone has to say my body is healing and my mind feels it. My body is a temple for the Lord and Holy Spirit to dwell. It will be as clean as I can be. I will not go back. I hated my mental affliction, I will not go back. Headed to the store now to pick up some lovely prune juice 💛
Thank you! I am experiencing depression and I don’t want to take medication. I am going to give keto a try! Thank you!
I've been On a Keto Diet for 3 Years. I eat a Keto Supper, then 1 hr. later peanuts, Then 1 hr. later "Cashew's, Pistachio's and walnuts and 1hr later an apple. Then I DON"T eat till supper the next day. Stopped Alcohol 4 1/2 years ago.
You must be doing something to speed up the viewing and audio of this presentation. I find it extremely annoying.