Depression

Keto for depression and bipolar disorder: where the evidence stands

What was studied: This is a review, not a new experiment. Three psychiatry researchers, from Poland and from McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School in the US, looked at recent research on the ketogenic diet in mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. The ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrates and high in fat, and it was first used to treat epilepsy.

What they found: They say recent randomized and forward-looking studies have made the case stronger, especially for easing symptoms of depression when the diet is added to usual treatment. They also warn that the diet can cause problems, particularly for people who are already at a healthy weight or who don't know enough about nutrition to follow it safely.

Why it matters: This review comes from a respected psychiatry journal, and its message is balanced: the early results are encouraging, but it is not yet ready to be a routine treatment. The authors say we need larger, well-designed trials, and agreement among experts on what counts as a "ketogenic diet" in research, so that studies can be compared fairly.

Honest limits: A narrative review gathers and discusses studies but doesn't pool their numbers in a formal way, so it reflects the authors' reading of the evidence. Studies so far use different versions of the diet, which makes them hard to compare. One author is a well-known supporter of metabolic treatments for mental illness. We read the published summary; the full text is behind a paywall.

Read the original: Karakuła-Juchnowicz, Rog and Palmer, "Is a ketogenic diet useful in the management of mood disorders?" Current Opinion in Psychiatry (2026). https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000001130 (PubMed summary: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42937055/)

General education only. Not medical advice. Talk with your clinician before changing diet or medication. Crisis (US): call or text 988; emergencies: 911.

Insulin resistance and the brain: a diabetes medicine helped protect it

What was studied: Insulin resistance is when the body stops responding well to insulin, the hormone that moves sugar into cells. It is common and is a known risk factor for dementia. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic scanned the brains of 72 adults, with and without signs of insulin resistance,

Gut supplements for autism: which kind looks most promising?

What was studied: Researchers in China pooled 17 randomized trials with 904 people with autism. The trials tested supplements aimed at gut bacteria: probiotics (live "good" bacteria, either one strain or several), prebiotics (fibers that feed those bacteria), and synbiotics (a mix of both). Using a method that

The Ketogenic Diet and Mental Health: What We Know So Far

Key takeaways * The ketogenic diet is a proven medical diet for some types of epilepsy. Its use in mental health is still being researched. * Small studies in depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia show encouraging results. * There is no high-quality evidence yet. Larger controlled trials are needed. * Keto can affect

Can Diet Help Bipolar Disorder? What the Research Says

Key takeaways * Diet is not a replacement for bipolar treatment. Mood stabilizers and therapy remain the foundation. * People with bipolar disorder have higher rates of metabolic problems, so overall metabolic health matters. * The ketogenic diet is being studied in bipolar disorder. Early results are encouraging but come from small, uncontrolled

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Insulin resistance and the brain: a diabetes medicine helped protect it

Gut supplements for autism: which kind looks most promising?

The Ketogenic Diet and Mental Health: What We Know So Far

Can Diet Help Bipolar Disorder? What the Research Says