Posted on July 24, 2022
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The positive influence of a feed fat on the brain is very real. A recent French study demonstrates the interest that a ketogenic diet might have in the management of psychiatric pathologies.
The interest of a ketogenic diet in a medical setting is growing day by day. And if its use for the treatment once morest refractory epilepsies is old and approved, this diet however suffers from a lack of scientific support for an application with other pathologies. Thus, although individual cases may multiply, the criticism of the lack of more substantial evidence constantly comes back to the mouths of skeptics.
However, concrete avenues tend to emerge little by little, showing the relevance of low-carb in medical care. This diet, which does not only help to lose weight for those who would like to sculpt their summer bodyis also effective on various somatic disorders such as epilepsy, but also obesitythe diabetesor Alzheimer.
The positive influence of fat on the body, and in particular on the brain, is very real. Already, for a large number of people who have reduced their daily carbohydrate intake, many report as the first main effect a more stable mood throughout the day. The body is not subject to variations in glucose levels, the feeling of hunger is reduced, and the energy continuously available would prevent various mood swings.
In addition to this well-known effect, other testimonials suggest that certain psychiatric symptoms can also be relieved, due to the ketogenic diet. Georgia Ede, a psychiatrist practicing in Massachusetts and well known in the keto community, has long asked, “Why should the brain be any different from the rest of the body?” », and regularly shares its different experiences from the field.
N=1, during field study
Studies looking at the effect of a ketogenic diet on psychiatric disorders have never really caught the crowds, let alone the funds. In 2017, a article presents the state (laborious) of the regime within the psychiatric environment, an article in which several case studies report the positive evolution of mental disorders under such a regime (we note for example an obscure study from 1965, bearing on patients suffering from schizophrenia , showing a statistically significant decrease in symptomatology following a ketogenic diet), but above all it highlights the major limitations of the various studies, and the very poor understanding of the mechanisms by which this diet acts.
Yet these intrications exist, and question a good name of researchers.
It is in this context – let us say stammering – that a study was published on July 6 in which 31 adults with severe persistent mental disorders were put on a ketogenic diet. The program for this treatment was notably carried out by the psychiatrist Albert Danan, within the Psychiatric Clinic of Castelviel, in Castelmarou in the Toulouse region. Several patients suffering from chronic mental illnesses, and for whom standard psychiatric therapies have failed, have been able to follow a ketogenic diet in a favorable environment and therefore under medical supervision.
These people suffered in particular from a bipolar disorder, a schizoaffective disorder or even a major depressive disorder. All participants had at least one indicator of poor metabolic health (overweight, hypertension and/or high fasting blood sugar).
The main evaluation criteria before the intervention were measured by different scales commonly used in the psychiatric environment. Other secondary outcomes were also assessed, such as: effect on metabolic biomarkers, change in drug requirements, and change in disease severity.
From field study to improved care?
Georgia Ede, mentioned a little above, is also cited among the authors. Here she highlights the different improvements that have been observed in the different patients who have followed the program.
Our new study finding that a ketogenic diet is safe, feasible, and associated with unprecedented psychiatric & metabolic benefits has just been published as an open-access paper in @FrontPsychiatry. #KetoForMentalHealth https://t.co/hkaab1N9Yr pic.twitter.com/6NLG1tMGoD
— Georgia Ede MD (@GeorgiaEdeMD) July 7, 2022
Unsurprisingly, there is an improvement in the various metabolic markers. Above all, an improvement is also made at the level of the psychic symptoms, and this in each of the different mental pathologies represented. Moreover, a parallel can be drawn with the Virta Health study on diabetes, namely that this improvement in a certain number of symptoms is done in conjunction with the reduction in medication.
When we know to what extent the various side effects of psychiatric drugs have a role in non-compliance with treatment, we can therefore wonder. This may be able to stir up some heavy-handed prescribers, followers of chronic slingshot medication, and visibly satisfied with building a solid army of hypersialic zombies who no longer pose problems in their unit.
Food for Thoughts
In any case, even if the study will not be able to satisfy rationalists adept only at very high levels of evidence, it at least has the merit of demonstrating a concrete application of a ketogenic diet. And if the latter is obviously not a magic wand, we can quite assume that it represents a certain potential within the framework of a structured program. In any case, this is how Dr. Danan, the first author of the article presented here, sees it.
Thus, the Toulouse region is once once more showing its real interest in the low-carb. Because in addition to Dr. Danan’s clinic, we also find dietician-nutritionist Magali Walkowicz, author of several books on the subject, and who has been working in Toulouse for several years. More recently, it is also le premier restaurant Keto which opened its doors in the city. Fad for some, pioneer for others, the future will decide. But the pink city has already made its choice.
