Keto diet may reduce symptoms of depression in some adults

An Oxford University trial of 88 adults with treatment‑resistant depression found that a high‑fat, low‑carbohydrate ketogenic diet was associated with a significant reduction in depressive symptoms after six weeks; participants continued their usual medication.

Researchers tested whether a high‑fat, low‑carbohydrate ketogenic diet could reduce depressive symptoms in adults for whom antidepressants had not worked. The article notes that about one in five adults in the UK have experienced depression and that antidepressants do not fully clear symptoms for around one in three of them. The ketogenic regimen shifts the body into ketosis, where it burns fat rather than carbohydrates, and some experts say this may reduce brain inflammation. The Oxford study randomly assigned 88 adults with treatment‑resistant depression to either a keto meal plan or to a non‑keto dietary advice group; both groups continued their usual medication. After six weeks, the researchers reported a significant reduction in depressive symptoms in the keto group. Key facts: - 88 adults with treatment‑resistant depression took part in a randomized trial reported by Oxford researchers. - Participants on the ketogenic plan were given three prepared meals and snacks that provided under 30g of carbohydrates per day. - The comparison group was advised to eat normally with modest changes such as swapping saturated fats for unsaturated fats and adding an extra portion of fruit or vegetables. - Both groups continued their usual medication throughout the six‑week study. - Researchers reported a significant reduction in depressive symptoms for the keto group after six weeks. - The article references a 2025 study that reported up to a 70% reduction in symptoms among college students, and notes the keto diet is already used to treat seizures. Summary: The trial indicates the ketogenic diet produced measurable symptom reductions for some people with treatment‑resistant depression, and the lead researcher described this as a small benefit when added to usual care. The diet was difficult for most participants to maintain after the trial ended. Undetermined at this time.