In recent years, several researchers have been examining whether lifestyle factors could play a greater role in the treatment of mental illness.
A new British study published in JAMA Psychiatry has investigated whether a ketogenic diet can help adults with treatment-resistant depression.
88 adults with depression
The study included 88 adults with depression who had not responded to at least two different antidepressants.
Participants were divided into two groups. One followed a ketogenic diet with a very low carbohydrate intake, while the other followed a plant-based diet with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables.
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Both groups continued their medical treatment and received dietary guidance.
According to the study, care was taken to ensure that no participants lost weight, so that changes in mood could not be attributed to weight loss.
The effect fades over time
A key finding of the study was that the positive effect diminished over time.
At a follow-up after 12 weeks, the difference between participants had almost disappeared.
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By that point, many participants had fully or partially abandoned the diets.
According to the researchers, this makes the results uncertain. It is therefore unclear whether diet has any real significance in the longer term.
What does this mean in practice?
After six weeks, participants on the ketogenic diet showed slightly greater improvements in their depressive symptoms.
The effect was particularly noticeable among people with very severe depression at the start of the study.
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Overall, the study suggests that diet may have value as a supplementary approach. However, it does not change current treatment practices and highlights the need for further research.
Sources: Medical News Today, and JAMA Psychiatry.
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