Table of Contents Toggle Scientific and Clinical Rationale for the Use of a Ketogenic Diet in Psychiatric DisordersPlease see Georgia Ede, MD’s comprehensive training on the use of Ketogenic Diets for Mental Illness and Neurological DisordersKetogenic diet as a metabolic treatment for mental illness Clinical trials are occurring, including those specific to the study of ketogenic diets in bipolar and psychotic disorders at Stanford University Clinical Guidelines for Therapeutic Carbohydrate RestrictionFree CME courseTreating metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and obesity with therapeutic carbohydrate restrictionMetabolic Multiplier Scientific and Clinical Rationale for the Use of a Ketogenic Diet in Psychiatric Disorders Thank you for considering the ketogenic diet as a psychiatric treatment for patients. If you are a prescriber you are in a specialized role to help individuals willing to try dietary intervention as a treatment for a variety of psychiatric and neurological symptoms. Your help in the monitoring, adjustment, and even possible titration of medication, as you deem appropriate, is much-needed assistance to patients on their journey to better functioning and healthier lives. I and a number of clinicians, including those in the psychiatry field, have found the ketogenic diet to be a useful addition to conventional care. In particular for those that do not fully respond to medication alone or who hope to reduce their overall number of medications and potential side effects. In many cases, exploration of the use of a ketogenic diet comes from the patient directly or their family in hopes of improving their quality of life. As with any intervention, the ketogenic diet does not help everyone. Personally, I have seen improvements happen within 3 months of implementation. This is consistent with what I hear from other clinicians using this type of intervention. With the help of open-minded prescribers, some patients are able to reduce or eliminate their use of medications. In those that continue medication, the metabolic benefits of the ketogenic diet can mitigate the side effects of common psychiatric medications and benefit the patient greatly. The below additional resources are provided for your convenience. Please see Georgia Ede, MD’s comprehensive training on the use of Ketogenic Diets for Mental Illness and Neurological Disorders Ketogenic diet as a metabolic treatment for mental illness Open access peer-reviewed paper authored by researchers at Stanford, Oxford, and Harvard Universities https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32773571 Clinical trials are occurring, including those specific to the study of ketogenic diets in bipolar and psychotic disorders at Stanford University https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03935854 Clinical Guidelines for Therapeutic Carbohydrate Restriction Clinical Guidelines for Prescribing Carbohydrate Restriction Free CME course Treating metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and obesity with therapeutic carbohydrate restriction Use therapeutic carbohydrate restriction to treat patients with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Determine which patients will benefit from therapeutic carbohydrate restriction, what precautions should be considered, and why. Provide comprehensive education on beginning and sustaining therapeutic carbohydrate restriction to patients for whom it is appropriate. Safely adjust diabetes and blood pressure medications during the initiation and maintenance of therapeutic carbohydrate restriction. Monitor, evaluate, and troubleshoot patient progress while using therapeutic carbohydrate restriction. https://www.dietdoctor.com/cme Metabolic Multiplier This site has a useful list of training opportunities in ketogenic metabolic therapy for different healthcare professionals and specific conditions. You may also find the Mental Health Keto Blog to be helpful in understanding how underlying mechanisms of pathology in several mental illnesses can be treated using a ketogenic diet. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)MoreClick to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Like this:Like Loading...