Early research on intermittent fasting, a process that puts the body in a temporary state of ketosis, has found that it may reduce anxiety. Other lifestyle interventions include regular exercise, with high-intensity workouts especially helpful for metabolism, Ede says, and consistent and sufficient sleep, since people with chronic insomnia have a higher risk of developing depression.
Even small diet changes could help
While Sethi says close adherence to the keto diet seems most beneficial, simply shifting from a carb-rich breakfast to one laden with protein and/or fat can have a noticeable psychological effect.
Peter Abilla, a Medicare insurance agent in Salt Lake City, says his teenage son doesn’t adhere completely to the ketogenic diet, but he benefits nonetheless. Abilla initially thought the diet might help the boy’s epilepsy, so he suggested it seven years ago after learning about it on a wellness podcast and trying the diet himself. The boy, who also suffered erratic mood swings, happily agreed. “He loves red meat, chicken, and especially bacon,” staples of many keto plans, Abilla says.
Now, the football-playing teen occasionally eats pasta and other keto-banned foods. “If keto is a spectrum, we’re in the middle,” Abilla says. Nonetheless, the diet has stabilized his son’s moods. (Medication controls the seizures.) The restrictive nature of the diet also helps the teen feel less overwhelmed, a byproduct of his mood disorder: “It’s liberating for him to open the fridge and know exactly what he’s going to eat,” Abilla says.
Keto is not a cure
Some physicians worry the high-fat diet may increase the risk of heart disease, but Sethi says most of her patients actually improve their cardiovascular health. In her most recent clinical trial, blood sugar, inflammation, and other metabolic markers dropped, which generally happens when you limit carbs, she says.