What does the Research say about Remote Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy Programs for Mental Health?

Does Remote Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy improve Mental Health Outcomes?

A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition explored whether an online, remote-based ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) program could help people experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. 19 clients joined a remote program (the IKRT Foundations program) combining a ketogenic diet with psycho-education, professional guidance, and peer support.

Over a 12-week period, clients showed substantial improvements in mental health; average depression scores (measured with the PHQ-9) fell from of 13 (moderate) to 5 (mild), while anxiety scores (measured using the GAD-7) dropped from 13 (moderate) to 7 (mild). Most clients experienced clinically meaningful improvements, with several reaching full remission of symptoms. Adherence to the ketogenic diet was high, with clients maintaining measurable levels of ketones most of the time, and no serious adverse events were reported.

Findings of study

Findings of study

Overall, the findings suggest that a remotely delivered ketogenic therapy program may be a feasible and scalable way to support improvements in depression and anxiety, although larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm these results.

What does this mean in simple terms?

• Researchers wanted to see if a therapeutic ketogenic diet program delivered online could help improve mental health.

• 19 adults with symptoms of depression or anxiety joined an online ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) program. The program included; personalised guidance on following a therapeutic ketogenic diet, mental health education and online support sessions.

• Average depression scores saw a 62% improvement. 71% of clients had meaningful improvement and 8 people reached remission (very low symptoms). Likewise, there was a 46% improvement in anxiety scores, with 79% of participants seeing improvement with 9 people reaching remission.

• 85% of clients were able to stick to the diet, and given the improvements seen, further research should explore this intervention with a larger number of people, and across a longer timeframe.

Helpful Links

If you’d like, you can visit and read for free, the full open access paper here:

doi.org

Frontiers | A retrospective evaluation of an online group ketogenic metabolic therapy intervention on mental health outcomes

BackgroundConventional treatments for depression and anxiety, including pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, often fail to achieve long-term symptom remission ...

At IKRT, we offer a number of programmes that aim to educate in Ketogenic Metabolic Health, if you are interested in learning more, please visit here:

ikrt.org

Integrative Ketogenic Research and Therapies | IKRT

At IKRT, Dr Bellamy supports people with mental health conditions to learn how to use ketogenic metabolic therapy safely and effectively, with professional guidance, education, and community support. IKRT offers personalised ketogenic metabolic therapy for mental health conditions. Structured, supported online programs and consultations for depression, anxiety, and brain health, because this work is not meant to be done alone.