Keto Diet Shows Promise for Treating Anorexia Nervosa in New Study
Recent research from the UC San Diego School of Medicine reveals that the ketogenic (keto) diet may help people with anorexia nervosa. This small study, published in the journal Nature, involved 22 women ages 18 to 45 who had a history of this eating disorder and a body mass index (BMI) above 17.5.
Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental health condition characterized by an extreme fear of weight gain, food restriction, and a distorted body image. This condition often persists even when individuals regain some weight.
In the study, participants followed a ketogenic diet for 14 weeks, aiming for a food intake comprised of 70% fat, 20% protein, and 10% carbohydrates. The goal was to maintain their weight while entering a state called nutritional ketosis, where the body uses fat for energy instead of carbohydrates.
Throughout the study, researchers monitored the participants closely. They checked ketone levels, tracked weight weekly, and provided both nutritional and psychiatric support. Improvements were observed in several areas related to the eating disorder, such as reduced restraint, lower depression scores, and decreased concerns about eating, weight, and body shape.
By the end of the study, 72% of the participants reported improvements on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), scoring in the recovered or normal range. Notably, overall body weight remained stable, and no participants’ BMI dropped below the set threshold.
Those who continued the keto diet three months after the study showed slightly better scores on the EDE-Q, suggesting ongoing benefits.
The researchers concluded that ketogenic dietary therapy is “well-tolerated” and has potential effectiveness in alleviating symptoms of anorexia nervosa, especially in adults who are mildly underweight or have achieved a healthy weight.
However, they cautioned that the study’s small sample size, which primarily consisted of White females, limits the generalizability of the findings. Future research is encouraged to include more diverse populations and to explore the biological aspects of the disorder further.
Lead researcher Dr. Guido Frank, a professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego, emphasized the urgent need for new treatment options for anorexia nervosa. He stated that this study aims to explore therapies that look beyond traditional methods and address the disorder’s physical aspects, linking it to metabolic dysfunction.
As interest grows in alternative treatment methods for anorexia, this study opens up new possibilities for helping individuals struggling with this challenging condition.
