Podbit · On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Over 1,900 people have now participated in published ketogenic diet trials for mental health conditions, with 20 controlled trials underway globally — including 8 randomised controlled trials. The overwhelming majority showed benefit, and many achieved full remission from conditions previously deemed incurable.
Where this was said
At 58:40 · chapter starts 57:47
The pivot to therapeutic dietary intervention for serious mental illness is the most clinically bold section of the episode. Palmer starts with a disarming historical fact: the ketogenic diet is 100 years old, invented by a physician for one purpose — stopping seizures — and is now backed by two Cochrane Reviews as an evidence-based epilepsy treatment. [1] — Dr. Chris Palmer "The ketogenic diet was invented 100 years ago to stop seizures — and it works, backed by Cochrane Reviews. Because we already use epilepsy …" 55:00 His logical bridge is elegant: anticonvulsants like Depakote and Lamictal, originally epilepsy drugs, are already the standard psychiatric treatments for bipolar disorder. So why would a diet that stops seizures not also have psychiatric applications? He then cites the published literature: over 50 papers, 1,900-plus participants, and 20 controlled trials underway globally, including 8 RCTs. [2] — Dr. Chris Palmer "Over 1,900 people have now participated in published ketogenic diet trials for mental health conditions, with 20 controlled trials underway…" 58:40 He is careful to present ketogenic diets as broad — vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, or carnivore all qualify — and explicitly distances it from the bacon-heavy stereotype.
The first published study using a ketogenic diet for mental health — a 2-week trial in women with schizophrenia — was published in 1965 and showed at least some symptom improvement.
There are currently 20 controlled trials — including 8 randomised controlled trials — underway around the world studying the ketogenic diet for various mental health conditions.
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