A diet popular among bodybuilders may hold surprising benefits for mental health. New research suggests the ketogenic diet, or keto, could dramatically reduce symptoms of depression within just a few months.
Researchers found that people on keto saw a 70 percent drop in depressive symptoms in under three months. That’s 20 percent more effective than common treatments like therapy and medication.
Exactly how the diet impacts depression is still unclear. But at Ohio State University, 16 students struggling with depression reported nearly triple improvements in their mental health after sticking to keto. They also performed better on cognitive tests, and all but one lost weight.
Weight loss and improved academic performance have both been linked to better mental health outcomes.
“We still need more science, but given the evidence, it’s worth considering keto as a supplement to depression treatment,” said Dr. Jeff Volek, professor of human sciences at Ohio State.
The National Library of Medicine describes the keto diet as high in fat and low in carbs. The approach aims to make weight loss easier, sharpen focus, and boost energy.
For college students, the findings could be significant. More than 40 percent report symptoms of depression, according to federal health data. Rates are especially high among young adults ages 18 to 25.
“We need callable ways to help large groups of students, and nutrition may be one of them,” said Dr. Ryan Patel, a psychologist at Ohio State’s Student Life Counselings and Consultation Service.
Researchers plan larger clinical trials to better understand how keto and improved mood are connected.
This isn’t the first time keto has been tied to mental health. A Stanford Medicine trial last year found the diet improved psychiatric conditions in people with serious illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
“Participants reported better energy, sleep, mood, and quality of life,” said Dr. Shebang Seth, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Stanford. “They felt healthier and more hopeful.”
The diet works by shifting the body’s main fuel source from blood sugar to ketones, acids made when fat is burned for energy. Health experts caution that producing too many ketones can be dangerous, but staying below safe levels may aid muscle growth, control blood sugar, and reduce hunger.
Scientists are still exploring how limiting carbs and relying on fat and protein influences the brain.
“By giving the body a different fuel source, we may be reactivating parts of the brain that are under performing,” psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede told NPR earlier this year.
