Ketosis Based Therapy for Psychiatric Conditions

Purpose: The ketogenic diet is a low carbohydrate, moderate protein, and high fat diet which results in a metabolic state known as ketosis, in which fats are broken down into ketone bodies. The ketogenic diet is a 100-year-old evidence-based treatment for epilepsy and is gaining popularity as a treatment for various mental disorders, including mood disorders. Objective: to explain the potential mechanisms through which ketogenic diets may improve the pathophysiology of mood disorders and provide a comprehensive review of recent clinical literature on the topic Mood disorders are associated with mechanisms like mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance. The ketogenic diet addresses these underlying causes and may improve symptoms in people with mood disorders by potentially reducing the need for medications, and reduce common side effects and comorbidities, such as weight gain and insulin resistance. Key words: Major depressive disorder, ketosis, Bipolar disorder, treatment resistant depression