BITESIZE: JAMA Psychiatry Analysis: What 50 Studies Tell Us About Nutrition For Depression & Anxiety

Can a ketogenic diet help improve mood and reduce depressive symptoms?A new meta-analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry examined 50 different keto studies, totaling over 40,000 participants, that included depression and anxiety outcomes. The results of the review demonstrated a modest improvement in depression symptoms across different populations and diagnoses in both controlled and real-world scenarios, and greater symptom improvement was observed in trials that included ketone monitoring. Improvements in anxiety were also observed in most studies, but with less consistency than depressive symptoms.While many of these studies weren't originally designed to treat depression or anxiety, the consistent improvements associated with verified ketosis as well as the larger effect seen in “very low carbohydrate” diets compared to just “low carbohydrate” diets, tell us that ketogenic therapy for depression warrants further investigation. And when we combine the findings with the results of another recent additional study on keto for depression (not included in the analysis), we can’t help but wonder how many people could benefit from ketogenic therapy.In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down:What the JAMA Psychiatry paper actually reviewedHow ketosis may support mood and brain functionKey findings from both randomized and non-randomized trialsHow measuring ketosis was associated with better depression improvementsSafety considerations and medication interactions to watch forThis JAMA review highlights growing scientific interest in ketogenic therapy for serious mental illness, driven by early scientific evidence and thousands of individuals worldwide reporting significant improvements in mental health with ketogenic therapy.Looking for more information on ketogenic therapy for depression? Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to be notified when our brand-new Keto for Depression Resource Hub is available!https://www.metabolicmind.org/about-us/newsletter/Expert Featured:Dr. Bret ScherMedical Director, Metabolic Mind and Baszucki Grouphttps://x.com/bschermdResources Mentioned:Ketogenic Diets and Depression and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysishttps://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.3261Blog: A Ketogenic Diet was Associated with improvements in Depression in College Studentshttps://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/news-views/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/new-research-a-ketogenic-diet-improved-depression-in-college-students/Edinburgh Trial Showing Improvements in Depression Symptoms in Patients Living with Bipolar Disorderhttps://www.metabolicmind.org/trials/featured-post/first-european-trial-shows-promise-of-keto-as-a-new-treatment-for-bipolar/Stanford Study Shows Keto Improves Symptoms of Serious Mental Illnesshttps://www.metabolicmind.org/trials/featured/stanford-study-shows-promise-of-keto/Free CME Clinician Trainings:Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon.Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-ytFollow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.