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Keto diet linked to reduced depression symptoms in college students
Medical Xpress / The Ohio State University / Translational Psychiatry ^ | Sept. 9, 2025 | Emily Caldwell / Drew Decker, MS et al

Posted on 10/05/2025 5:34:45 PM PDT by ConservativeMind

A new study shows an association between at least 10 weeks of following a well-formulated ketogenic diet and a roughly 70% decrease in depression symptoms among a small group of college students.

Beyond the reduction in self-reported and clinician-rated depression, the students' global well-being increased nearly three-fold and their performance improved on several cognitive tasks.

The 16 students who completed the pilot trial were receiving medication, counseling, or both for major depressive disorder before beginning the keto diet. The findings suggest achieving nutritional ketosis through diet is a feasible adjunctive therapy for depression.

The pilot study did not have a non-keto control group for comparison. Previous research has suggested that medications and counseling reduce depressive symptoms by about 50% in a similar time period.

Twenty-four students were enrolled in the trial and 16 students—10 women and six men with an average age of 24—completed the entire study.

Participants received extensive education on the keto diet, consisting of fewer than 50 grams of carbs per day combined with higher fat and moderate protein intake.

At baseline and over the course of 10 to 12 weeks, the students reported depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-09), the standard instrument to measure the severity of depression in clinical settings, and completed the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). They also took a series of cognitive tests assessing episodic and working memory, processing speed, executive function, and attention and inhibitory control.

—Self-reported depression scores decreased 37% by week two and reached 69% of improvement at week 10–12. Nobody's symptoms worsened. —Clinician-rated assessments of depression at week six and week 10–12 decreased by 59% and 71%, respectively. —By week two, perceived ratings of global wellness had increased two-fold, which improved to nearly three-fold at the end of the intervention.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS:
Keto could help college students reverse depression concerns.
1 posted on 10/05/2025 5:34:45 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
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To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; telescope115; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 10/05/2025 5:35:15 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

KETO is just as relevant to your prior post: “Scientists pinpoint early warning stage before prediabetes”


3 posted on 10/05/2025 5:35:40 PM PDT by C210N (Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Subsisting on tofu and bean sprouts rots your brain. One of the reasons H. Habilis diverged from the rest of the primates is he learned to hunt, and the diet rich in protein spurred on brain development.

Low protein diets do the opposite.


4 posted on 10/05/2025 5:53:19 PM PDT by Paal Gulli
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To: ConservativeMind

More Protein = Less Depression! Who knew?

Order that pizza with ALL THE MEATS, Kids! :)


5 posted on 10/05/2025 5:55:40 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Paal Gulli

And perhaps no longer being fat helps lesson depression.


6 posted on 10/05/2025 5:58:54 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.)
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To: dfwgator; Red Badger; null and void
I'm doing the Kato diet

I drive this around town a lot. When it's not upside-down.


7 posted on 10/05/2025 5:59:17 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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Oh I have a second car too


8 posted on 10/05/2025 6:04:30 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: SaveFerris

The ‘66 Imperial in black was an exceptional choice as a base for a hero car. “The Sentinel” was 60 years ahead of its time (drone launched from car with built-in camera and GPS equivalent)


9 posted on 10/05/2025 6:08:54 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
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To: Dr. Sivana

Loved that show


10 posted on 10/05/2025 6:10:11 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Days of Lot; They did Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: ConservativeMind

It means eating less “junk”. Seems logical.


11 posted on 10/05/2025 6:35:11 PM PDT by simpson96
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To: ConservativeMind

M.E.A.T!!!

While I was at the People’s Republic of San Francisco State University, I had a bumper sticker that drove the wackos crazy:

I Love Animals
They’re delicious.

Later I found another great one

P.E.T.A
People Eating Tasty Animals


12 posted on 10/05/2025 6:47:21 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try )
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To: ConservativeMind

“Participants received extensive education on the keto diet, consisting of fewer than 50 grams of carbs per day combined with higher fat and moderate protein intake.”

Still not Keto, as Keto is 20 grams or less, but FAR BETTER than the ‘Standard American Diet’, which is more like 250 to 300 grams.

For people following Keto/Carnivore, no surprise with the results.


13 posted on 10/05/2025 6:55:55 PM PDT by BobL
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To: Paal Gulli

A nice juicy grilled steak makes me happy 😃


14 posted on 10/05/2025 7:23:15 PM PDT by kaktuskid
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To: ConservativeMind

keto reduces depression for people of all ages.

Once you figure out that blood sugar spikes from sugar and carbs are just less concentrated high’s and lows from alcohol because they. are two sides of the same molecule—the whole up down yo yo that comes from consuming carbs is obvious.

Older people are even more susceptable to carb hang overs than young people. Heck before you’re 25 you burn off the alcohol. same with carbs. but that’s only if you’re vigorous.

the more sedentary young people will be hit hard.


15 posted on 10/05/2025 8:25:25 PM PDT by ckilmer
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To: ConservativeMind

Bacon cures everything.

EC


16 posted on 10/06/2025 4:21:53 AM PDT by Ex-Con777 (Leftists quote the Constitution like an atheist quotes the Bible)
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