Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy as a Treatment for Mental Health Disorders

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein diet that has been used since the 1920s to treat epilepsy. This macronutrient composition induces ketosis, a physiological state in which circulating ketone bodies are used as a primary fuel source in the absence of sufficient glucose from carbohydrates. Five randomized controlled trials each concluded that when patients who were refractory to medications were treated with KD, at least 50% had significant seizure improvement and approximately 20% achieved greater than 90% seizure improvement. Although the exact mechanism(s) in preventing seizures is unknown, additional benefits of medically supervised KDs have been reported and are consistent with proposed mechanisms. Patients with epilepsy have found KD-induced improvement in headache, sleep, cognition, energy-level, and mood. Emerging evidence in anecdotal reports and small trials show improvements in autism, migraine headache, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, and dementia. Addressing difficult-to-treat disorders with nutrition-based therapies with multiple health benefits, particularly mental health benefits, is urgent: the Center for Disease Control estimates that more than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder in their lifetime. Globally, there are enormous economic benefits of preventing mental illness and supporting mental well-being.

If medically supervised KDs applied in medication resistant disorders such as epilepsy can elicit benefits in brain health, can they be used as a treatment for severe mental health disorders and/or prevention of mental health disorders?

We welcome submissions on themes including, but not limited to:
● Basic science explanation of KDs on neurotransmitters
● Basic science explanation of KDs on energy production (i.e. adenosine)
● The impact of microbiome on neurotransmitters (animal and humans)
● Metabolomic evidence of dietary changes that can improve brain health
● Animal science of high-carbohydrate diet versus KD on mental health
● Human science of high-carbohydrate diet versus KD on mental health
● Social and economic impact of KD verses standard of care for mental health disorders

This Research Topic is open to a wide range of article types, including high-quality case reports.