Keto diets linked to modest improvement in depression symptoms

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-11-06 03:00

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A keto diet may somewhat improve symptoms of depression, according to international researchers analysing previous studies on the impact of keto diets on mental health. The low-carb, high-fat diet strategy aims to force the body to burn fat for energy as it goes into a metabolic state called ketosis. Looking at 50 studies including over 40,000 participants combined, the researchers say they found no evidence the diet had any impact on anxiety symptoms; however, keto diets were linked to modest improvements in depression symptoms overall, especially when studies looked at whether the participants were actually achieving ketosis.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Psychiatry

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: St Michael’s Hospital, Canada

Funder: Dr Phillips reported grants from the Baszucki Group outside the submitted work. Dr Bhat reported support by an Academic Scholar Award from the University of Toronto Department of Psychiatry and receiving research funding from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Associated Medical Services Inc Healthcare, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Department of National Defence (Government of Canada), Eisai, New Frontiers in Research Fund, Novartis, Ontario Ministry of Health Innovation Funds, Roche Canada, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

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