Trying a ketogenic diet in bipolar disorder: a small Scottish study

What was studied: Researchers in Edinburgh asked 27 adults with bipolar disorder, who were feeling stable at the time, to try a modified ketogenic diet for 6 to 8 weeks with help from a dietitian. 20 people finished.

What they found: On average, people lost about 4 kg (9 lb) and their blood pressure went down. Overall mood scores didn't change much, which makes sense because people started out stable. But on days when people had higher ketone levels, they tended to report better mood and more energy, and less anxiety and impulsivity. Brain scans also showed lower levels of glutamate, a busy brain messenger.

Why it matters: It's a small first step with no comparison group, so it can't prove the diet works. But it shows people with bipolar disorder can follow this diet with support, and it gives larger trials something to test.

Read the original: Campbell, Needham et al., BJPsych Open (2025). https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2024.841

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