Can ketogenic therapy be use to treat OCD?
A recent case series suggests that the ketogenic diet may significantly reduce symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and even bring some individuals into remission. Here’s what happened. 🧵👇
A recent case series suggests that the ketogenic diet may significantly reduce symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and even bring some individuals into remission. Here’s what happened. 🧵👇
OCD is a complex psychiatric condition. Current treatment options are effective for some, but for many, medications only help partially, or not at all.
But in this report, 3 individuals experienced dramatic improvements after adopting a #ketogenicdiet, putting their symptoms into remission and eliminating the need for medications.
frontiersin.org/journals/nutri…
But in this report, 3 individuals experienced dramatic improvements after adopting a #ketogenicdiet, putting their symptoms into remission and eliminating the need for medications.
frontiersin.org/journals/nutri…
How was this measured?
Researchers used the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), a gold-standard clinical tool. The participants' average scores dropped by 21 points, corresponding to a 90.5% reduction in symptoms.
Researchers used the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), a gold-standard clinical tool. The participants' average scores dropped by 21 points, corresponding to a 90.5% reduction in symptoms.
And it wasn’t a fluke.
Each time a participant deviated from the ketogenic diet, their OCD symptoms returned, only to improve again once the diet was reinstated. This pattern was consistent across all three cases.
Each time a participant deviated from the ketogenic diet, their OCD symptoms returned, only to improve again once the diet was reinstated. This pattern was consistent across all three cases.
How is keto helping?
Emerging research suggests that OCD, like many psychiatric disorders, is linked to metabolic dysfunction in the brain:
🧠 Glucose hypometabolism
🧠 Neurotransmitter imbalances
🧠 Oxidative stress
🧠 Inflammation
Research has shown that ketogenic diets address all four.
Emerging research suggests that OCD, like many psychiatric disorders, is linked to metabolic dysfunction in the brain:
🧠 Glucose hypometabolism
🧠 Neurotransmitter imbalances
🧠 Oxidative stress
🧠 Inflammation
Research has shown that ketogenic diets address all four.
We’re only beginning to understand how powerful metabolic interventions can be in #psychiatry. But the early signals are promising.
These findings echo growing evidence that metabolic psychiatry could transform care for those with many different forms of mental illnesses.
These findings echo growing evidence that metabolic psychiatry could transform care for those with many different forms of mental illnesses.
Of course, this was a small case series, not a randomized trial. We need more research. But for individuals with treatment-resistant OCD, a well-supported ketogenic approach may offer hope where few options exist.
If you or someone you love is struggling with #OCD and considering metabolic interventions, consult a clinician experienced in therapeutic ketogenic diets. Safety and support matter.
Science is catching up — but people shouldn’t have to wait forever.
Science is catching up — but people shouldn’t have to wait forever.
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