The keto diet and mental health do seem to have a positive relationship. By potentially increasing GABA, rebalancing neurotransmitters, decreasing inflammation and lowering oxidative stress<\/strong>, the keto diet does have the potential to improve your mental health.<\/p>\n At this point, you might be wondering what the current evidence is for the mental health benefits of the keto diet. Let\u2019s explore this topic below.<\/p>\n Our mental health isn\u2019t all in our heads. When researchers tried to uncover why many mental illnesses are linked to other types of chronic disease, medication and body weight seemed to have little effect. But how could a chemical imbalance in the brain affect our risk of diabetes or cardiovascular disease? It looks more likely that inflammation, oxidative stress and poor glucose metabolism also play major roles in mental illness<\/a>. Many health benefits of the keto diet, fortunately, come from these same pathways.<\/p>\n The brain is the most energy-demanding part of your body. Even though it only makes up 2% of our body weight, it uses over 20% of our energy intake<\/a>. This is partly why we get \u201changry\u201d, as our brains cannot function properly if these high needs aren\u2019t met. Chronic energy deficiency may, naturally, lead to more severe and long-term damage.<\/p>\n Poor glucose metabolism is linked to mental health issues such as depression, bipolar disorder and even schizophrenia. In fact, one study shows that two key glucose receptors, GLUT-1 and GLUT-3, are roughly 20% lower in schizophrenic brains<\/a>. The expression of some genes involved in breaking sugar down for energy is lower by a similar percentage too. On the other hand, cells had more receptors for ketones.<\/p>\n Mild traumatic brain injuries also feature impaired glucose metabolism, including concussion. This usually returns to normal, but long-term symptoms after a concussion could be related to continued problems with energy production. If you don\u2019t have a mental illness but enjoy contact or extreme sports, a keto diet may therefore still be helpful. Early research shows that keto diets with MCT oil may significantly reduce the severity of the post-concussion syndrome<\/a>. Visual memory had the most improvement, while overall post-concussion symptoms were less severe. As damage from concussions can build up and lead to more problems later, it\u2019s best to intervene now.<\/p>\n We often think of oxidative stress when it comes to sunburns and the overall ageing process. However, it influences some mental illnesses too! Using ketones for energy produces less oxidative stress while boosting our antioxidant defences.<\/strong><\/p>\n As energy production generates oxidative free radicals, the brain is particularly vulnerable to damage. Fortunately, the lower inflammation and oxidative stress, and improved energy metabolism, may help relieve Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n Results don\u2019t come overnight. People with Alzheimer\u2019s disease may find some relief after 12 weeks of MCT oil supplementation, but one dose was not effective. The long-term benefits of reduced inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic disruption are likely behind ketones\u2019 effects, not simply switching fuel sources.<\/p>\n Some health benefits of the keto diet come from an ability to balance glutamate and GABA, which stimulate and relax the brain respectively. Low GABA can lead to anxiety<\/a>, insomnia and panic disorders, so keto diets may soothe these issues. In fact, laboratory research found that rats being fed ketones showed lower levels of anxiety<\/a>. Another showed that the babies of rats on ketogenic diets were less likely to show anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n There hasn\u2019t been much research specifically on the keto diet and anxiety, but many people have had amazing results. For example, Matt of Simple Living With The Segovias<\/a> describes his success with a keto diet for anxiety. Although he had anxiety since early childhood, after three months on the keto diet he explained \u201cI just don\u2019t have those racing thoughts, the anxiety, the lingering depression.\u201d The comments section features a number of viewers who have enjoyed significantly \u2013 or even totally \u2013 relieved anxiety and depression after beginning a keto diet too.<\/p>\n Increasing GABA doesn\u2019t just help reduce anxiety. Increasing GABA is also an aim of epilepsy treatment, as seizures can originate from over-excited neurons. Interestingly, research demonstrates that most people with epilepsy find at least some improvement on a ketogenic diet. One study even had 55% of participants achieving total freedom from seizures. Instead of a sedating effect seen with conventional measures, ketones improve energy.<\/p>\n Look at my experience, for example. I myself do not have a mental illness, but I do have trouble focusing. When I drink coffee with medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, I find the energizing effects last much longer. My attention span is improving over time and I am becoming more present in each moment. However, when I cook keto recipes every once in a while, I don\u2019t get this effect unless I add MCT oil. Drinking coffee on its own doesn\u2019t have the same buzz, so it can\u2019t just be caffeine. This is likely because MCT oil may convert directly into ketones, which is why they allow for higher carbohydrate intake when featured in ketogenic diets<\/a>.<\/p>\n Research demonstrates that MCT oil can bypass impaired glucose metabolism<\/a>, which increases the brain\u2019s energy supply. Brain scans show a near-normalization of energy use without any boost in glucose metabolism. This won\u2019t overstimulate the brain, as young healthy people show a drop in glucose usage with MCT oil. In people with Alzheimer\u2019s disease who have sugar metabolism issues, the MCT oil fills up the energy needs gap.<\/p>\n Nothing happens in isolation, and the relationship between the keto diet and mental health is no exception. In two clinical trials of the diet for autism, it improved social communication and other symptoms overall. One child even improved<\/a> from \u201csevere autism\u201d to \u201cnon-autistic\u201d on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale! As results did vary, researchers thought that differences in their gut microbiome influenced the results.<\/p>\n Increased HDL, which plays a role in immune regulation, as well as allergic responses, could influence the keto diet\u2019s success too. One of these studies showed greater successes alongside higher HDL cholesterol and lower counts of immune cells involved in allergic reactions. Overall, there was a 50% success rate<\/a> in achieving a 4+ point improvement on the ADOS-2 scoring system. 40% were \u201csuper responders\u201d, improving by 7 points.<\/p>\n The gut microbiome plays an important role in our digestive and overall health, with mental health being no exception. Our friendly species of bacteria<\/a> feed on certain poorly digestible carbohydrates, known as prebiotic fibres. Low-carb and keto diets have the risk of being too low in this prebiotics, so it\u2019s important to consider your intake. Onions, leeks, asparagus and mushrooms are non-starchy sources of prebiotics, and you could even add in some hummus too. The gut microbiome does a lot for us, so let\u2019s not neglect it.<\/p>\n Overall, the keto diet and mental health may have a strong, positive relationship. With a rebalancing of neurotransmitters; lower inflammation and oxidative stress; and improved energy metabolism, its benefits come from several angles. Consult a qualified health professional for individualized support if you are interested in the keto diet, and consider testing from CircleDNA<\/a> to find other factors that may influence your mental health.<\/p>\nRedefining Mental Health<\/h2>\n
![\"circlemagazine-circledna-keto-diet-mental-health\"](\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1619096534329-564c333a95b3?ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8MjN8fGtldG98ZW58MHx8MHx8&ixlib=rb-1.2.1&w=1000&q=80\")
Glucose Metabolism<\/h2>\n
Inflammation And Oxidative Stress<\/h2>\n
Glutamate And GABA Balance: Keto Diet Increases GABA, Which Can Reduce Anxiety<\/h2>\n
![\"circlemagazine-circledna-keto-diet-mental-health\"](\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1595178156906-2396ef837b0f?ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8Mnx8YW54aWV0eXxlbnwwfHwwfHw%3D&ixlib=rb-1.2.1&w=1000&q=80\")
How MCT Oil Is Best<\/h2>\n
Other Influencing Factors
<\/h2>\n![\"circlemagazine-circledna-keto-diet-mental-health\"](\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1627662167617-ad702e8d47b2?ixid=MnwxMjA3fDF8MHxzZWFyY2h8Mjh8fGNoaWxkfGVufDB8fDB8fA%3D%3D&ixlib=rb-1.2.1&w=1000&q=80\")
The Gut Microbiome
<\/h2>\nKeto Diet and Mental Health: In Summary<\/h2>\n