Study Suggests Ketogenic Diet Training Improves Provider Confidence in Treating Mental Illness

Ketogenic metabolic therapy typically comprises about 75% of calories from fats, 20% from protein, and less than 10% from carbohydrates, which shifts the body’s metabolism to rely on ketones instead of glucose. This approach is thought to alleviate specific neurological and psychiatric symptoms that do not respond to conventional medications. Currently, the ketogenic diet is recommended for children with epilepsy whose seizures fail to respond to standard treatments, as noted by the Epilepsy Foundation. Recent studies also suggest it may serve as a complementary treatment for conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression in patients who have not benefited from traditional therapies.

Deanna L. Kelly, PharmD, BCPP, the lead investigator and a professor in psychiatry, explained, “We launched this study because the science around ketogenic metabolic therapy in mental health is advancing rapidly, and we wanted health care professionals to be prepared to add it to their treatment options.” Kelly emphasized that clinicians should understand both the potential benefits and the practical challenges of this therapy as new data emerges.

The study evaluated the Live It ~ Launch It program, a two-part training initiative funded by Baszucki Group, which aims to advance metabolic therapies. In this pilot study, 40 healthcare professionals—including psychiatrists, pharmacists, psychologists, and therapists—participated. They first completed a four-hour online course covering the foundations of ketogenic metabolic therapy and its implementation in clinical care.

Participants then had the opportunity to follow the ketogenic diet themselves for four weeks. Of the group, 25 chose to participate in this “lived experience” phase with guidance from registered dietitians and nutrition specialists. The results showed that this combination of education and practical experience markedly increased clinicians' confidence in discussing the therapy's benefits and risks with patients suffering from hard-to-treat mental health disorders.

Kelly noted, “Many people living with schizophrenia struggle also with weight gain, insulin resistance, and other metabolic problems that may be worsened by antipsychotic medications and contribute to cardiovascular risk.” She expressed that an approach enhancing metabolic health while alleviating psychiatric symptoms would significantly benefit patients.

The researchers caution that these findings are preliminary, emphasizing the need for further studies to assess whether such training leads to changes in clinical practice. They also highlighted the necessity for additional randomized controlled trials and long-term studies to clarify the efficacy of ketogenic diets in mental health care.

Sidney Murray, PhD, MS, a postdoctoral fellow and lead author of the study, commented on the importance of firsthand experience in reinforcing clinical education, stating, “Learning the science is important, but following the diet firsthand gave participants a much deeper understanding of the practical challenges their patients may face.”

The research team is preparing a companion paper to evaluate the health professionals' physical health, mental well-being, nutrition, and metabolic indicators during the ketogenic diet phase, with the goal of informing future training and studies on this therapy's implementation in routine mental health care.