UMSOM Study Highlights Training for Health Care Professionals in Ketogenic Diet Therapy for Mental Health

Published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, the study notes that ketogenic metabolic therapy typically derives approximately 75% of its calories from fats, 20% from protein, and limits carbohydrates to less than 10%. This dietary adjustment shifts the body's metabolism from utilizing glucose to ketones, which may alleviate symptoms of certain neurological and psychiatric conditions that are resistant to conventional medications. For instance, the ketogenic diet has been established as standard care for children with epilepsy whose seizures have not responded to traditional treatments, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. Emerging research suggests its potential as a complementary approach for conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

Deanna L. Kelly, PharmD, BCPP, the lead investigator and director of the MPRC, stated, "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."

The study involved a pilot program called Live It ~ Launch It, funded by the Baszucki Group, which is dedicated to advancing metabolic therapies. Forty health care professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists, participated in the two-part training program. Initially, they completed a four-hour online course on ketogenic metabolic therapy, covering its fundamentals, monitoring, and potential side effects. Participants then had the option to follow the ketogenic diet during a four-week phase, with guidance from registered dietitians.

Results indicated that this combination of education and personal experience significantly boosted clinicians' confidence in discussing the benefits and risks of ketogenic therapy for patients struggling with difficult mental health conditions. The firsthand experience allowed providers to better understand adherence issues and engage in shared decision-making with their patients.

Dr. Kelly highlighted the importance of addressing metabolic health challenges often faced by individuals with schizophrenia, such as weight gain and insulin resistance, which can be exacerbated by antipsychotic medications. They noted that finding approaches to improve both metabolic health and psychiatric symptoms would be a significant advancement for affected patients.

The researchers stress that their findings are preliminary, with further studies needed to determine whether this training impacts clinical practice. They also called for more randomized controlled trials and long-term research to verify the effectiveness and appropriate clinical use of ketogenic diets in mental health care.

According to Sidney Murray, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow and lead author, the results underscore the value of experiential learning in understanding the practical challenges faced by patients. The research team plans to publish a companion paper assessing the health outcomes of participants during the ketogenic diet study phase.