Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy for Treatment Refractory Mental Illness
Faculty Sponsor
Jana Stedman
College
College of Nursing & Health Professions (CONHP)
Department/Program
Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Summer 7-23-2025
Abstract
This project explores the potential of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy (KMT) as adjunctive therapy for refractory mental illness. Evidence suggests that ketogenesis can reverse mitochondrial dysfunction, a pathophysiological feature commonly associated with major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and schizophrenia disorder (SD), leading to measurable improvements in psychiatric symptoms, metabolic biomarkers, and body composition. While preliminary results are promising, current data are based on small sample sizes and short study durations, limiting the generalizability of findings. Therefore, KMT cannot yet be considered a broadly validated adjunctive treatment for severe mental illness. Continued research, particularly longitudinal studies, is essential to determine the long-term efficacy and sustainability of symptom improvement. Despite these limitations, KMT represents a promising and underutilized therapeutic tool to help improve the symptoms, if not put those into remission, of their treatment refractory mental illness.
Recommended Citation
Ketterhagen, Mackenzie R., "Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy for Treatment Refractory Mental Illness" (2025). Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium. 252.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/sires/252
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Mackenzie is currently completing her Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Valparaiso University. For the past few years, she has been following a lifestyle of running and eating high protein and whole foods and has noticed the significant positive impact this has had on her mental and physical health. She has the pursuit to better understand the relationship between food and the human body as she believes food influences metabolic processes. She wanted a research topic that reflected her lifestyle as well as conveyed a wholistic approach to treating medical conditions. She discovered the ketogenic diet and it's success in correcting treatment refractory mental illness and metabolic markers. She hopes this research will help educate others on the power of food on the human body.