A leading expert suggests that a popular diet may alleviate the fundamental causes of bipolar depression.
Iain Campbell, from the University of Edinburgh, has taken a keen interest in bipolar depression, because he lives with the condition. He is, says the NHS, among the one in 100 people who live with the disorder.
It mostly develops between the ages of 15 and 19. Formerly referred to as manic depression, it affects men and women equally.
The root cause of bipolar depression, formerly known as manic depression, is unknown. Campbell led a study however that found the condition could have metabolic links.
Speaking to The Observer, he said: “We should be thinking of bipolar depression, not as a primary emotional problem, but as a malfunctioning of energy regulation in the body. It is a very different way of thinking about mental illness.”
Those with bipolar disorder may experience drastic swings from low energy and sadness to high-energy states of joy and distraction. Current academic thought is warming up to the idea that a ketogenic diet might help level out these mood swings for individuals dealing with bipolar.
Edinburgh University has discovered that a third of 27 bipolar patients who switched to a ketogenic diet – characterised by high-fat intake and reduced carbohydrates – experienced mood improvements over an eight-week period. Researcher Danny Smith told the Observer: “A third of them did very well. Their mood was more stable, they were less impulsive, and their depression lifted.”
The ketogenic diet has previously been utilised in treating drug-resistant epilepsy in children, with Great Ormond Street Hospital says it has potential to lead to seizure-free living, reports Gloucestershire Live.
The NHS advises those living with bipolar to maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise to help manage weight gain, a common issue associated with the condition.
What is the keto diet?
The ketogenic diet encourages individuals to limit carbohydrate consumption and increase high-fat foods, aiming to induce a state of “ketosis” where the body uses stored fat to produce ketones.
Typically, our bodies use glucose from carbohydrates for energy and organ function. According to Harvard Health, you should limit carb intake to between 20 and 50 grams per day.
They propose a daily 2,000 calorie diet could comprise 165 grams of fat, 40 grams of carbs, and 75 grams of protein, although these quantities will vary from person to person.