A new pilot study released today in BJPsych Open has found that a ketogenic diet may provide significant mental and physical health benefits for individuals with bipolar disorder. The study, the first of its kind to use neuroimaging techniques to observe brain metabolism, provides preliminary evidence that the diet could offer a promising new avenue for treating this serious mental health condition.
The research, which was co-led by scientists at the University of Edinburgh, used advanced brain imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to track changes in brain metabolism. The results indicate that a ketogenic diet could reduce elevated excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain, which are commonly associated with bipolar disorder. In addition, higher ketone levels were correlated with improvements in mood, energy, anxiety, and impulsivity among participants.
Dr. Iain Campbell, a Baszucki Metabolic Psychiatry Research Fellow and lead researcher on the study, explained that his personal experience using ketosis to manage his bipolar disorder symptoms motivated the pilot trial. “For the first time in years, I felt like my brain was finally running on the right fuel,” said one participant, emphasizing the diet’s positive effects.
The study involved 27 participants who were enrolled in a 6-to-8-week ketogenic diet trial. Of those, 20 participants completed the study, with 91% of participants maintaining ketosis throughout the trial. Participants who provided daily ketone and mental health data saw improvements across several areas, including energy levels, mood, and anxiety. Many described the diet as life-changing, with one participant noting, “It opened me up to new possibilities and a brighter future.”
In addition to mental health benefits, participants also experienced physical health improvements. Nineteen out of twenty participants lost an average of 9.3 pounds (4.2kg) and saw reductions in body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure. These changes are significant, as individuals with bipolar disorder often face increased risks of metabolic health issues due to both the disorder itself and the medications used to treat it.
The study’s findings also align with the metabolic overdrive hypothesis, a theory proposed by Dr. Campbell and colleagues, which suggests that energy dysregulation plays a central role in bipolar disorder. By addressing this dysregulation through metabolic interventions like the ketogenic diet, the team believes it may be possible to alleviate some of the disorder’s symptoms.
“This is a promising step toward understanding how metabolic therapies like the ketogenic diet could be used to treat serious mental illnesses,” said Dr. Campbell. “These early findings add to a growing body of evidence that supports the use of ketogenic therapy as an adjunctive treatment for bipolar disorder. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results and further explore the potential benefits.”
The research was supported by Baszucki Group, which has also funded other studies exploring the role of metabolic interventions in mental health. One of the group’s previous initiatives at Stanford University suggested that the ketogenic diet may stabilize brain function in individuals with severe mental illnesses.
“This trial marks another important step in establishing ketogenic therapy as a viable treatment for mental health conditions,” said Jan Ellison Baszucki, co-founder and president of Baszucki Group. “We are hopeful that this growing body of research will lead to more effective treatments for those struggling with bipolar disorder and other serious mental health issues.”
In addition to supporting the pilot study, Baszucki Group has funded the creation of the first European Metabolic Psychiatry Hub at the University of Edinburgh, which will bring together over 100 scientists to explore the connections between metabolism and mental health.
As research into the links between metabolic function and mental health continues to expand, this study represents a significant advancement in the exploration of neurometabolic approaches to treating psychiatric conditions.
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