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Ketogenic Diet and Bipolar Disorder




At the start of my fitness journey, back in 2017, I embarked on a loose interpretation of the keto diet. I ended up losing 60 pounds and was able to put on muscle in the gym. Looking back, not only was I in the best physical shape of my life, I was in the best mental shape too. I chalked that up to eating whole foods and exercising.


Keto was just for a season and I transitioned to a way of eating with no labels. Part of it was to simply be more relaxed in my maintenance phase; the other part of me was due to getting major judgement for doing keto. This was the time online where people either loved keto or hated it. I cared a bit too much about what people thought of my choices, but I figured it was time to try different things regardless.


Fast forward to now, when I have a ten month old and I'm a stay at home mom. While there have been moments of eating healthy, fast food has definitely been my friend again. My weight is not what concerns me; the big battle happening is with my mental health.


I have Bipolar 1, which is distinguished by full manic episodes followed by depressive episodes. I am incredibly lucky and found a wonderful new therapist this year and am trialing new medication. However, the management period is the hardest for me and I've been searching for new tools to help in my day to day life. I know a first good step for the family is to avoid fast food and cook more at home.


This brings me back to the keto diet. A commonly known fact is that this diet has been used therapeutically to manage epilepsy for years. How does this link to bipolar? Anti-seizure medications are used, or have the same components, of medications used to manage bipolar disorder symptoms. According to Healthline, "People with bipolar have higher-than-normal amounts of sodium inside their cells. Lithium and other mood-stabilizing drugs used to treat bipolar disorder work, in part, by lowering sodium levels in cells. The ketogenic diet has the same type of effect."


Another way that keto helps with epilepsy treatment is by managing inflammation in the brain. What has been found about a bipolar brain? Recent studies show that bipolar disorder might be involved in metabolic dysfunction. One study found that "A ketogenic diet provides alternative fuel to the brain and is believed to contain beneficial neuroprotective effects, including neural network stabilization and inflammation reduction."


It seems to go further; this style of eating can help with other mental illnesses like schizophrenia and depression. It works in the same way by reducing inflammation in the brain. When diving into this topic, I discovered a particular study called the Smile Trial. Individuals were put on a low carb diet in order to see the results of utilizing food for therapeutic properties in relation to mania and depression. There was a control group as well and the trial went for 12 weeks. The results were telling: the dietary group saw significant improvements compared to the control group, and were classified as being in "remission" during this period for their mental illness symptoms. It was concluded through this study that the ketogenic diet shows long-term benefits when used therapeutically as a treatment.


Based on the science, I've decided to go back to my roots and follow a low carbohydrate diet for a period of time, along with my medication, therapy, and work with my psychologist. I am also getting blood work done with my primary care physician to make sure I am at a stable base line. The ketogenic diet was pegged as a fad, and definitely had its moment at center stage in the media; due to this, it received a bad rep over time. It was deemed as restrictive. But there is a time and place for everything. One way of eating will not work for everyone. There is not a "one size fits all." And there are other reasons for certain ways of eating beyond weight loss. It's crucial to always get your knowledge from professional sources and work with your personal care team. Don't let the media convince you to try the next fad without truly knowing what it could potentially do to your mind, body, and spirit. The "goal" is physical and mental health, but it is a journey that may change. YOU live in your body every day. Don't let the outside noise dictate what to do. You (and your care team) knows what is best.


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Picture by Jessica Gavin

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