Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy is a personalized approach to nutrition and lifestyle that can improve both physical and mental health. This approach is aimed at increasing the levels of ketones in your body. Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy goes beyond just the ketogenic diet; it's a method to improve your metabolic health, which, in turn, can have positive impacts on both your physical and mental well-being. You can read more about Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy here.
It's important to note that while there is ongoing research supporting the potential benefits of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy, it may not be suitable for everyone. If you are considering this approach for your physical or mental health, please arrange a consultation call to determine whether it is suitable for you and your health goals.
The Metabolic Approach to Mental Health considers the connection between metabolic disorders (e.g., insulin resistance, high blood sugar, pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high triglycerides) and mental health conditions. Addressing underlying metabolic issues may contribute to the management of certain mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, binge eating disorder.
Emerging evidence suggests that a well-formulated ketogenic diet can reduce depressive symptoms for some people, particularly those with treatment-resistance. For many people, ketogenic therapy is best considered as an adjunctive metabolic intervention, added to existing treatments. At IKRT, ketogenic metabolic therapy is implemented with education, symptom tracking, and collaboration with prescribers so that any changes in mood, energy, or medication needs can be monitored safely over time.
Research suggests that a professionally supervised ketogenic diet can be feasible and potentially beneficial for some people with bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder who are considering ketogenic therapy should work with a psychiatrist and an experienced ketogenic practitioner to monitor symptoms, medications (especially lithium and other mood stabilizers), sleep, and metabolic markers. IKRT programs are designed to coordinate ketogenic metabolic therapy with existing treatment plans, using frequent check‑ins, biomarker tracking, and collaboration with prescribers wherever possible.
Evidence for ketogenic therapy in anxiety is promising as ketones have anxiety lowering properties. In practice, ketogenic metabolic therapy for anxiety is best implemented as part of a comprehensive care plan that includes psychological strategies, lifestyle interventions (sleep, movement, stress management), and, where appropriate, medication. Within IKRT programs, anxiety symptoms are routinely tracked alongside ketone levels, sleep, and other variables, so that the diet can be adjusted for the best outcomes.
Metabolic Psychiatry is a new emerging field that focuses on the connection between metabolic processes and mental health. It focuses on understanding how disruptions in metabolic functions, such as those related to energy regulation, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances, may contribute to psychiatric conditions.
By implementing metabolic interventions and other innovative approaches, those with diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health conditions may experience improvements in their symptoms. There is evidence to show that when metabolic health improves, so does mental health in some people.
No, Metabolic Psychiatry is not only focused on the Ketogenic Diet. While the Ketogenic Diet is one aspect within the broader field, Metabolic Psychiatry covers a wide range of factors related to metabolism and mental health. It investigates various dietary patterns, including low carbohydrate, ultra-processed food free, and ketogenic diets, physical activity, hormonal regulation, and overall metabolic health to understand their impact on psychiatric disorders.
Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy works by inducing a state of ketosis in the body through the implementation of a personalised ketogenic diet. The specific macronutrient composition triggers several metabolic changes in the body. Your ketogenic diet will be tailored to produce therapeutic levels of ketone bodies in your blood which will be tracked over time alongside the monitoring of your symptoms. Adjustments to the diet and other aspects of your lifestyle will be made in order to further improve your symptoms if necessary.
It is recommended to follow your personalised low carbohydrate or ketogenic dietary plan for at least 12 weeks to give it the best chance of improving your mental health symptoms. Some people may experience improvements with a low carbohydrate diet. Others may need a ketogenic diet to see the same benefits. The timeline also varies depending on you as an individual. Sometimes the ketogenic diet may not be enough to improve mental health symptoms on its own. In this circumstance, other metabolic therapies may be discussed and introduced.
Like any therapeutic intervention, ketogenic metabolic therapy has potential risks and side effects. Common short‑term side effects during adaptation can include fatigue, headache, nausea, constipation or diarrhoea, sleep changes, and what is often called the “keto flu,” most of which tend to settle with adequate hydration, electrolyte support, and careful dietary planning. If implemented correctly, with support, these side effects are temporary. On the psychiatric side, rapid changes in energy intake, sleep, weight, or medications during dietary change can sometimes destabilise mood or anxiety, particularly in conditions such as bipolar disorder or severe, treatment‑resistant depression. This is why IKRT emphasises professional guidance, cautious medication adjustments (handled by the prescribing clinician), regular symptom questionnaires, and ongoing review of metabolic labs as part of any therapeutic ketogenic plan.
Time‑frames vary, but most clinical programs and research trials suggest that a minimum of 12 weeks of consistent therapeutic ketosis is needed to meaningfully evaluate response for mental health conditions. This depends on the individuals physical and mental health history. At IKRT, all programs are deliberately structured over several months, with an initial phase focused on education and implementation, followed by ongoing lifestyle support, symptom monitoring, and fine‑tuning of the therapeutic protocol. This longer‑term approach reflects both the emerging research and real‑world experience that brain and metabolic changes take time, and that maintaining improvements often requires continued support rather than a short‑term “diet.”
Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy (KMT) is a structured, therapeutic approach to nutrition and lifestyle that aims to shift the body from primarily burning glucose to using ketones as a key fuel source, with the goal of improving metabolic and brain health. Unlike general “keto diets” popular on the internet, KMT is implemented as a clinical intervention: it is individualised to a person’s medical history, medications, and mental health needs, and delivered with ongoing professional support and monitoring. In metabolic psychiatry, KMT draws on a century of experience using ketogenic therapy for epilepsy and applies similar principles.
Current evidence does not support viewing ketogenic therapy and psychiatric medication as either‑or choices; instead, ketogenic metabolic therapy is best considered as an adjunctive treatment that may enhance or, in some cases, eventually reduce medication needs under proper supervision. Many clinical reports and small trials involve individuals who remain on their existing medications while starting a ketogenic diet, with some later able to lower doses as symptoms and metabolic markers improve, although this should always be done cautiously and under the guidance of the prescribing clinician. Within IKRT, the focus is on integrating KMT into existing care plans, improving metabolic health, and supporting people to work collaboratively with their prescribers where there is scope to simplify medication regimens over time.
Certain medical conditions are considered absolute or strong contraindications to classical ketogenic diets, particularly inherited disorders of fat metabolism (such as medium‑chain acyl‑CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, carnitine transport defects, and long‑chain fatty acid oxidation disorders), pyruvate carboxylase deficiency, and some forms of porphyria.There are other conditions and medications that may prevent individuals from initiating a ketogenic diet, or may increase the level of professional oversight needed to start. IKRT screens prospective participants for medical and psychiatric suitability before engaging them in a therapeutic ketogenic program.
A therapeutic ketogenic diet for mental health focuses on whole, nutrient‑dense foods that reliably support nutritional ketosis while providing adequate protein, essential fats, vitamins, and minerals. In many clinical metabolic psychiatry programs, this includes a foundation of proteins and fats, alongside low‑carbohydrate, non‑starchy vegetables and, where appropriate, small amounts of low‑sugar dairy or fermented foods. For mental health applications, the diet is typically more structured than general “keto,” using specific macronutrient ratios, for example, a 1.5:1 to 2:1 ratio of fat to combined protein and carbohydrate by weight to support stable blood ketone levels in a therapeutic range. At IKRT, the exact dietary pattern is personalised after a detailed assessment of medical history, current medications, metabolic markers, preferences, and lifestyle.
If you are interested in following the Metabolic Mental Health program or using Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy to help your physical or mental health condition, you can schedule a consultation call with me here to determine your eligibility, learn about the process and decide whether it is for you before getting started.
The cost of the Private 1:1 Metabolic Mental Health program and Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy is £3,999 for the 12 week program, £1,999 for the IKRT Mastery program and £1,000 for the IKRT Foundations program.
If there are other things to consider, the cost will be calculated on a case by case basis. This will be discussed with you during your first consultation call once I can better understand your current circumstances and needs.
There are many things to consider here, such as the severity of your current physical or mental health conditions, the medications that you may be taking, your physical and mental health history, your current nutrition, diet and lifestyle, your support system, and current care needs. The amount of support needed to implement these metabolic approaches in the safest and most effective way will also be considered and discussed with you.
Yes absolutely. I recommend that you book a consultation call here with me to discuss your eligibility, what the program entails, how it could work for you and your health goals, and the total cost involved.
At the end of the call you will have your questions answered and can make a decision as to whether you would like to start Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy or the Metabolic Mental Health program.
During the one hour consultation call, we will review your eligibility for Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy or the Metabolic Mental Health program. Triage documents will be sent to you ahead of the call. These, along with your medical history will be reviewed ahead of time and discussed on the call with you. If you are eligible and happy to get started, we will begin to plan for care on the same call. If you are not eligible, if you feel it is not for you, or if I feel I do not have the expertise to help you, I will refer you to other professionals more suited to your needs.
Yes I can help you even if you don't have a psychiatrist. If you have a doctor or GP in charge of your mental health care, I will liaise with them. If you don't have a professional in charge of your mental health care, I can refer you to a metabolic psychiatrist who can consult with you remotely via Zoom.
Yes, if your family member is in an inpatient unit or care home, you can add me, and if necessary, our dietitian, as part of their Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). Please schedule a call with me here to discuss your situation further.
Important Disclaimer
The information above and the information provided in the IKRT programs are for educational purposes only and do not intend to assess, screen or treat any medical condition. Nothing on this website or in these programs constitutes medical advice. This information does not substitute for a doctor-patient relationship. Speak to your doctor before making changes to your diet or medication.