A new pilot study suggests that following a ketogenic diet for just 10 weeks may significantly reduce depression symptoms in young adults.
Researchers at The Ohio State University found that college students with major depressive disorder experienced a nearly 70% decrease in depression after sticking to the diet, along with improvements in overall well-being, cognitive performance, and weight loss.
The ketogenic, or keto, diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and very low in carbohydrates—usually fewer than 50 grams per day.
This forces the body into a state of nutritional ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel and produces ketones, an alternative energy source for the brain and body.
The diet has been studied for decades in the treatment of epilepsy and is now being explored for a range of conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and mental health.
In this study, published in Translational Psychiatry, 24 students with major depressive disorder were enrolled, and 16 completed the program.
All participants were already receiving treatment, such as medication, counseling, or both, before beginning the keto plan. Over 10 to 12 weeks, they received education on how to follow the diet, including personalized food guidance, 10 starter meals, snacks, and ongoing support through a private app.
Lead researcher Jeff Volek, Ph.D., professor of human sciences at Ohio State, said the results were striking. “So many people are suffering right now, so it’s rewarding to potentially bring forward a solution,” he explained. “There is more science to do, but because there’s evidence of benefit, expanding accessibility to a well-formulated ketogenic diet as part of treatment for depression is something to consider.”
The results went beyond mood improvements. Students reported feeling better within just two weeks, with depression scores dropping by 37% early on and reaching a 69% reduction by the end of the trial. Clinician assessments mirrored these results, showing a 71% decrease in symptoms after 10 to 12 weeks. None of the participants saw their symptoms worsen, which is rare in depression studies.
Global well-being scores nearly tripled, and cognitive tests revealed better performance in areas such as memory, processing speed, and attention. On average, participants lost 11 pounds and reduced their body fat by more than 2%, with most achieving clinically significant weight loss. Importantly, cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not worsen, suggesting the diet was safe for cardiovascular health during the trial.
For Ryan Patel, DO, a psychiatrist at Ohio State’s Counseling and Consultation Service and co-author of the study, the findings are especially relevant to college campuses. “About 40% of college students report depression symptoms, and half of them are receiving treatment of some kind,” he noted. “We have more students suffering from mental health concerns than can feasibly receive professional treatment. Nutrition is one way we can help on a large scale.”
The study has limitations. It did not include a control group, and the sample size was small. Previous research suggests medication and counseling reduce depressive symptoms by about 50% in a similar time frame, making the 70% reduction in this trial appear especially promising. Still, larger, controlled studies are needed to confirm whether the keto diet directly improves depression or works best as an add-on to standard therapies.
Volek and his team are already collecting biological data to investigate why the diet might improve mood. Ketosis may reduce inflammation, alter brain signaling, or affect proteins linked to depression. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, the researchers believe the results are strong enough to justify further investigation.
“This is one of the first well-controlled studies of its kind,” Volek said. “It has limitations, but the encouraging results push us to keep pursuing this line of research.”
If confirmed, the keto diet could become a simple, accessible way to support mental health—especially in high-stress environments like college.
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Source: Ohio State University.
