Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine explored how a ketogenic eating pattern might influence mental health in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The study appeared in Psychiatric Research and adds to a growing conversation about how nutrition can affect brain function and mood in clinical populations. The findings come from a controlled observation of a small group, not a broad clinical trial, but they offer meaningful clues about potential metabolic and psychiatric benefits tied to dietary choices. [Attribution: PsyRes; Stanford study]
Twenty-one adults participated in the investigation, all living with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Many of them also faced metabolic challenges common in serious mental illness, including obesity or excess weight, insulin resistance, high triglycerides, and impaired glucose tolerance. The overlap between metabolic health and psychiatric symptoms is a central concern in contemporary treatment, and this study examines how a targeted diet might intersect with both issues. [Attribution: PsyRes; Stanford study]
Participants were instructed to follow a ketogenic diet characterized by roughly 10 percent of daily calories from carbohydrates, 30 percent from protein, and 60 percent from fats. Throughout the trial, researchers tracked adherence by measuring blood ketone levels on a weekly basis, since ketones reflect fat-based energy production when glucose is not the primary fuel. In addition, participants underwent regular psychiatric assessments to monitor changes in their symptoms over the course of the dietary intervention. [Attribution: PsyRes; Stanford study]
By the end of the dietary period, researchers reported improvements across several health markers, including lower blood pressure, reduced body mass index, and improved lipid and glucose profiles. Indicators of insulin resistance also declined. Importantly, the data revealed clinically meaningful reductions in core symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder for some participants. Subjects also described better sleep quality and higher overall life satisfaction following the diet. While these results are preliminary, they suggest a possible link between ketogenic eating patterns and both metabolic and mental health outcomes in this population. [Attribution: PsyRes; Stanford study]
These observations contribute to an ongoing conversation about how dietary choices may support mental wellness, particularly for adults dealing with both psychiatric illness and metabolic risk factors. They underscore the idea that nutrition is a modifiable factor that can complement medication and psychotherapy in the management of complex conditions. Further research, ideally with larger samples and longer follow-up, is needed to determine which features of a ketogenic approach are most beneficial, which subgroups respond best, and how such a diet could be safely integrated into standard care. [Attribution: PsyRes; Stanford study]
As the scientific community continues to investigate diet and mental health, clinicians and patients in Canada and the United States may find value in discussing how metabolic health, sleep, mood stability, and quality of life can be supported through comprehensive lifestyle strategies. With careful monitoring and professional guidance, nutrient timing, energy balance, and individualized meal plans could become part of a holistic treatment plan for mood and psychotic disorders. [Attribution: PsyRes; Stanford study]”