This retrospective case report presents the use of a carnivore ketogenic diet by a subject with schizophrenia, supported by a nutritional therapy practitioner, resulting in remission. The narrative describes how ketogenic metabolic therapy can be implemented and optimized in difficult socio-economic circumstances, something not previously reported in the literature. Compliance with diet is reported using glucose and ketone blood markers. The qualitative impact of the therapy is explored from the subject’s perspective as well as the potential for collaboration between nutritional and mental health practitioners to help implement and sustain ketogenic therapies.

Full Paper: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1591937

  • jetOPMAEnglish
    4·
    2 months ago

    A case study is one the weakest forms of evidence, its basically a anecdote with a medical witness to certify it really happened. However, it is still interesting.

    This parallels the literature we see with respect to ketogenic metabolic therapy and mental health (carnivore is just zero-carb ketogenic diet after all).

    • jetOPMAEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      Notes:

      People with schizophrenia have a significantly higher incidence of obesity and prevalence of diabetes of 10–15%, which is a 2–3 times higher risk than in the general population (6, 7). Signs of metabolic syndrome were first identified in patients with schizophrenia over 100 years ago and current day use of antipsychotic medication comes with a major side effect of increasing metabolic dysregulation

      Speaks to the metabolism mental health connection

      Underlying biological mechanisms identified in schizophrenia include oxidative stress, insulin resistance, glucose brain hypometabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and glutamate/GABA imbalances

      The definition of nutritional ketosis is ketones levels over 0.5 mmol/L (13), at these levels there is a growing body of evidence that the underlying biological processes relating to serious mental illness can be therapeutically impacted resulting in reduced symptoms and better mental wellbeing

      There is very limited research on carnivore diets in the medical literature especially in relation to carnivore or animal-based diets. One systematic review looking at associations between meat consumption and avoidance found that majority of higher quality studies showed individuals who avoided meat consumption had significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and/or self-harm behaviors (23)

      Ohh, i know what paper I’m doing to read next!

      He reported that previous episodes of binge eating carbohydrates on “cheat days” had adversely affected his mental health.

      That explains the spiky graph!

      It was suggested that he stop supplementing with MCT oil and recommended to drink more water and add a little salt to his food. No other supplementation was used.

      A good demonstration of how complete carnivore food is

      There is limited evidence of a correlation between ketone levels and mental health symptoms suggesting this is an appropriate target range

      Interesting, if this is the case why did the stop the MCT oil ?

      His family, who were initially skeptical of the benefits of KMT, now believe it has been more effective than any other therapy.

      At around the 7-month mark the subject began to taper off his psychiatric medication. He remained stable throughout this process, the first few days he experienced some insomnia which resolved, and there have been no further adverse side effects.

      Wow

      A carnivore ketogenic diet is a more restrictive diet and can be more difficult to adhere to than other forms of ketogenic diets suggesting that its use as a therapeutic tool may be limited.

      Honestly I think it is easier to be on Carnivore then just general keto. Less freedom, less choices, less chance to mess up, less temptation.