Nourishing The Brain with Keto Diet in Schizophrenia Treatment

Last updated on June 21, 2024

Schizophrenia, a complex mental disorder, was initially defined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1908. Despite more than a century of research, it remains a difficult condition to explain.

In simple terms, schizophrenia involves unusual patterns of thinking, emotions, and actions. These abnormalities can appear as hallucinations (false perceptions), delusions (false beliefs), and disorganized thoughts, speech, or behavior.

According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in 2016, it was discovered that at least 13.7% of India’s population experiences various mental illnesses, schizophrenia being one of them.

Schizophrenia cases rising after Covid-19 pandemic

The condition of mental health has worsened over time, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to a study published in PubMed Central, changes in the immune system caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus could potentially trigger the development of schizophrenia, particularly in individuals experiencing long-term effects of COVID-19.

“The results showed that multiple immune system changes brought on by COVID-19 have been identified as potential causes of schizophrenia.” — PubMed. 

World Schizophrenia Day is observed on May 24th to raise awareness about this mental health condition and advocate for support for those affected by schizophrenia.

Symptoms

Hallucinations: These are false perceptions of reality. Hallucinations can involve any of the five senses, but the most common type is auditory hallucinations, or hearing voices.

Delusions: These are false beliefs that are not grounded in reality. Delusions can be very strange and illogical, but the person with schizophrenia believes them to be true.

Disorganized thinking: This is when a person has trouble thinking clearly and logically. Their speech may be difficult to understand.

Keto diet and schizophrenia

There is a growing body of research suggesting that the Keto diet can be beneficial for individuals with schizophrenia. 

Several studies and case reports have shown that the Keto diet has helped individuals suffering from schizophrenia in:

• Reducing symptoms: Some studies have found that individuals with schizophrenia following a Keto diet experienced a reduction in psychiatric symptoms.
• Improving metabolic health: The ketogenic diet has improved metabolic health in people with schizophrenia, addressing issues like insulin resistance and obesity, which are common side effects of antipsychotic medicines.
• Brain energy metabolism: Research suggests that the ketogenic diet may help restore brain energy metabolism, which is thought to be imbalanced in schizophrenia.

How does Keto diet help people with schizophrenia?

Researchers see improvements in patients !!

A recent pilot study conducted by Stanford Medicine found that the metabolic effects of the Keto diet may help stabilize the brain and help individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.

“A ketogenic diet not only restores metabolic health in these patients as they continue their medications, but it further improves their psychiatric conditions. The results, published March 27 in Psychiatry Research, suggest that a dietary intervention can be a powerful aid in treating mental illness.” — Stanford Medicine. 

The medications prescribed to patients with schizophrenia have side effects of insulin resistance, inflammation, and causing obesity. These side effects can be balanced out by following a Ketogenic diet.