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A number of clinical trials are currently underway investigating the potential benefits of a ketogenic diet for individuals with Bipolar Disorder. Anecdotal reports suggest that a ketogenic diet may significantly reduce depressive symptoms, with many people noticing improvements within just a few weeks.

One noteworthy case series involving 31 psychiatric inpatients placed on a ketogenic diet found that 43% achieved clinical remission, 100% experienced symptom improvement, and 64% were discharged on reduced medication. To my knowledge, this is the first published report documenting mental health improvements in response to a ketogenic diet.

While these early findings are promising, it’s important to acknowledge that a ketogenic diet is not a cure. In the cases I’m aware of, symptoms tended to return once the diet was discontinued. Still, this dietary approach may be a compelling alternative for those seeking symptom relief without undergoing FMT. In fact, some individuals may find their symptoms improve more quickly on a ketogenic diet than with FMT.

That said, a ketogenic diet is not typically considered a long-term solution. While there is a wealth of information online about low-carb diets for weight loss, it’s essential to follow a medically appropriate ketogenic protocol. For this reason, I strongly recommend working with a qualified dietitian or nutritionist to ensure nutritional adequacy and to achieve and maintain proper ketosis.

It’s also unclear whether the observed symptom improvements are due to the metabolic effects of being in ketosis itself, or simply the result of eliminating ultra-processed foods from the diet. Given that the ketogenic diet is a highly restrictive medical dietary intervention, I would personally recommend first trying a dietary approach based on the scientifically validated guidelines developed by the Food & Mood Centre. This approach is more sustainable in the long term and may also lead to meaningful symptom improvement without the challenges associated with maintaining ketosis.

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© by Jane Dudley

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