The keto diet may offer significant benefits for individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa, according to new research from UC San Diego.
New research from the UC San Diego School of Medicine suggests that the ketogenic diet may help alleviate symptoms of anorexia nervosa. The study, published in the journal Nature, involved 22 women aged 18 to 45 who had a history of anorexia nervosa and a body mass index (BMI) above 17.5.
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric disorder characterized by severe food restriction and low body weight. Individuals with this condition often experience body dissatisfaction, an intense fear of eating, and a preoccupation with body shape and size, even after weight restoration.
The participants in the study adhered to a ketogenic therapy plan for 14 weeks, aiming for a diet composed of 70% fat, 20% protein, and 10% carbohydrates. The objective was to maintain weight while inducing nutritional ketosis, a metabolic state where the body produces and utilizes ketones for energy due to low carbohydrate intake.
Throughout the study, researchers monitored participants through ketone testing, weekly weight checks, symptom questionnaires, and nutritional and psychiatric support. Among the 18 participants who completed the study, improvements were noted in various areas related to eating disorder symptoms, including restraint, depression scores, and concerns regarding eating, shape, and weight.
Overall scores on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) showed significant improvement, with 72% of participants scoring within the recovered or normal range. Importantly, participants’ body weight remained stable, and no BMI fell below the critical threshold of 17.5.
Those who continued to follow the ketogenic therapy three months post-intervention exhibited slightly better EDE-Q scores, indicating ongoing benefits from the dietary approach. The study authors concluded that ketogenic dietary therapy is “well-tolerated” and shows “potential efficacy” in reducing symptoms of anorexia nervosa among adults who are mildly underweight or weight-restored.
Despite these promising findings, the authors acknowledged that the small sample size, which predominantly consisted of White females, limits the generalizability of the results. They emphasized the need for future research to replicate these findings in more diverse populations and to incorporate objective assessments of brain function, such as metabolic PET imaging, to evaluate brain glucose metabolism.
Lead study author Dr. Guido Frank, a professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine, has dedicated over 25 years to studying and treating patients with anorexia. He initiated this study to expand treatment options for this high-risk population, stating that new approaches to anorexia nervosa are “urgently” needed.
Dr. Frank noted, “Our work with ketogenic therapy looks beyond standard therapies and potentially at the underlying physiology of the disorder.” He highlighted the growing evidence linking anorexia nervosa to neurometabolic dysfunction, expressing hope that direct metabolic intervention could help regulate neural function and address the psychological symptoms experienced by patients.
As the conversation around effective treatments for anorexia nervosa continues, this research opens the door to exploring alternative dietary interventions that may provide relief for those affected by this challenging condition, according to Fox News.