Overview
- In a randomized trial of 88 adults published in JAMA Psychiatry, a supervised low‑carb ketogenic plan outperformed a phytochemical control at six weeks.
- Depression scores on the PHQ‑9 improved by about 10.5 points with keto versus 8.3 points with the control, with remission in 25% versus 9% of participants.
- The between‑group advantage weakened by the 12‑week follow‑up as strict adherence fell after study support ended.
- Only about 9% of participants in the keto arm reported maintaining a strict ketogenic regimen post‑trial.
- Both groups received prepared meals or vouchers and coaching, participants stayed weight‑stable and continued antidepressants, and experts cautioned that intensive support may have contributed to improvements.