A remotely-delivered keto-diet intervention reduced depression symptoms by 62% in adults. The corresponding study was published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
“Traditional treatments like antidepressants and psychotherapy are vital, but often focus on symptom management, and the current waiting times for care are a national crisis,” lead author of the study, Erin Bellamy, Research Fellow at the University of East London, said in a press release.
“These results demonstrate that a metabolic approach, delivered through a cost-effective digital group format, isn't just feasible, but could be transformative,” she added.
For the study, researchers recruited 19 adults with mild to severe depression and anxiety. Prior to the study, they had tried many therapies, including psychotherapy, acupuncture, and trauma therapy, with some benefit but limited long-term success.
The intervention, which involved all participants, consisted of an online, group-based ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) program involving psychoeducation, professional guidance, and community support for 12 weeks. Depression and anxiety were assessed at the start of the study and at weeks 4, 8, and 12.
Ultimately, depression scores decreased by an average of 62% among participants between the start and end of the study, with 71% achieving clinically meaningful improvement. Anxiety scores also fell by 46% over the same period, with 79% achieving clinically meaningful improvement.
On top of this, eight participants achieved remission for depression, and nine for anxiety. The researchers further found that all of the participants completed the 12-week program and that they remained in ketosis for 85% of the time. No serious adverse events were recorded.
The findings suggest that KMT is a scalable, transdiagnosic approach to conventional psychiatric care, wrote the researchers in their study.
“Larger, controlled trials are needed to evaluate the long-term sustainability of these results and explore how this model can be integrated into existing healthcare systems to reduce the burden on the [UK National Health Service (NHS)] and global providers,” said Bellamy.
Sources: Frontiers in Nutrition, EurekAlert
