Dr Bellamy and Jennifer Sweenie meet to discuss Ketogenic Therapy
- Dr Erin Louise Bellamy
- Jun 5
- 1 min read
Kicking off a new series on ketogenic therapy for mental health and how to approach it safely
Dr Bellamy recently met with Jennifer Sweenie on her Substack where they discussed ketogenic therapy for mental health, and its safe implementation.
Therapeutic ketosis is not the same as a standard weight-loss diet. It is a metabolic intervention that changes how the brain is fuelled and that shift requires consistency, structure, and time.
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What are the key takeaways?
Success on ketogenic therapy for mental health begins before changing your diet, by understanding your goals, setting expectations, and creating a supportive environment.
Many early symptoms (fatigue, headaches, “keto flu”) are largely due to low sodium, potassium, and magnesium, not the diet itself. They can be easily managed.
While some people switch quickly, a slower reduction in carbohydrates can improve adherence and reduce side effects.
Monitoring mood, energy, sleep, and ketones provides a clearer picture of how your brain is responding and not just whether you’re “doing keto right.”
Mental health applications require more consistency and precision, with a focus on sustained ketosis rather than occasional or flexible adherence.
Useful Links
If you’d like, you can read Jennifer's Substack here:
If you want to make sure you are eating the right foods for ketogenic metabolic therapy, you can start here:
At IKRT, we offer a range of programs designed to educate and support you in ketogenic metabolic therapy. If you are interested in learning more, please visit:
