Introduction

In this post, I will briefly outline some of the research showing that a ketogenic diet can be an excellent treatment for Binge Eating Disorder (BED). We will not be going into the underlying mechanisms involved in the pathology seen in Binge Eating Disorder (BED) or how the ketogenic diet can modify them. That article is available below if you have not already read it.

Ketogenic Diets as a Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Low Carbohydrate Ketogenic Therapy as a Metabolic Treatment for Binge Eating and Ultraprocessed Food Addiction

In this review, the authors focus on recent advancements in the potential use of ketogenic diets for treating binge eating and ultraprocessed food addiction.

The review highlights the metabolic role in the development of maladaptive eating behaviors. It proposed that ultra-processed, refined, or high glycemic index carbohydrates may trigger neurochemical responses akin to addiction and lead to changes in metabolic and neurobiological signaling that exacerbate overeating symptoms and hunger.

Seth, S., Sinha, A., & Gearhardt, A. N. (2020). Low carbohydrate ketogenic therapy as a metabolic treatment for binge eating and ultraprocessed food addiction. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, 27(5), 275-282. https://doi.org/10.1097/MED.0000000000000571

Treating binge eating and food addiction symptoms with low-carbohydrate Ketogenic diets: a case series

In this case series published in the Journal of Eating Disorders, researchers examined the impact of a ketogenic diet on individuals with obesity, specifically targeting binge eating and food addiction symptoms. This retrospective analysis involved three patients, aged 34 to 63, who self-initiated a ketogenic diet over a 6-7 month period.

These individuals showed significant psychological improvements.

One patient, for instance, reported a reduction in the Binge-Eating Scale score from a severe range to minimal, indicating a drastic decrease in binge eating frequency and severity. Another patient showed a substantial drop in the Yale Food Addiction Scale score, moving from a high level of food addiction symptoms to almost none.

Additionally, notable improvements in mood were observed in participants following a ketogenic diet, particularly reflected in the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores. One of the cases, a 54-year-old female, showed a significant decrease in her PHQ-9 score, dropping from 20 (indicating severe depression) at baseline to just 1 after 6-7 months on the diet.

Participants reported maintenance of treatment gains (with respect to weight, binge eating, and food addiction symptoms) to date of up to 9–17 months after initiation and continued adherence to diet.

Carmen, M., Safer, D. L., Saslow, L. R., Kalayjian, T., Mason, A. E., Westman, E. C., & Sethi, S. (2020). Treating binge eating and food addiction symptoms with low-carbohydrate Ketogenic diets: a case series. Journal of eating disorders, 8, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-020-0278-7

Pilot Trials Using the Ketogenic Diet as a Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

In the pilot study ‘Very-Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet: A Potential Treatment for Binge Eating and Food Addiction Symptoms in Women,’ researchers investigated the effects of a very-low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) followed by a low-calorie diet on women with binge eating and/or food addiction symptoms. The study included five women with an average age of 36.4 years and a mean BMI of 31.16. Initially, the participants exhibited varying degrees of food addiction and binge eating symptoms, as measured by the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 and the Binge Eating Scale. After following the VLCKD for 5-7 weeks and then a low-calorie diet for 11-21 weeks, significant weight loss was observed, ranging from 4.8% to 12.8% of initial body weight. Notably, by the end of the study, no participants reported food addiction or binge eating symptoms. Additionally, muscle mass was preserved while fat mass was reduced. This study highlights the potential of VLCKD as a viable treatment for women with food addiction and binge eating symptoms, suggesting that it can facilitate weight loss and alleviate addictive eating behaviors without compromising muscle mass.

Our study strongly suggests the feasibility of a VLCKD in the treatment of a group of women with self-reported binge eating and food addiction symptoms. After a maintenance low-calorie diet, the patients experienced a reduction of food addiction and/or binge eating symptoms.

Rostanzo, E., Marchetti, M., Casini, I., & Aloisi, A. M. (2021). Very-low-calorie ketogenic diet: a potential treatment for binge eating and food addiction symptoms in women. a pilot study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(23), 12802. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312802

The bottom line is this.

I think people have a right to know all the ways they can feel better. And for people with Binge Eating Disorder (BED), it is clear that a #ketogenic diet is one of them.

Someone out there is suffering a lot more than they need to. You may want to consider sharing this post.

#binge #BED #ketogenic