26% of young adults aged 16 to 29 experienced moderate to severe depressive symptoms (ONS, April 2025). While waiting lists for professional support grow longer, therapeutic nutritional therapy offers a powerful way for individuals to support their mental health with great promise being shown in the power of a ketogenic diet to support brain health.
A new pilot study published in Translational Psychiatry (2025) looked at whether a ketogenic diet (very low carbohydrate, moderate protein, high fat) could be used alongside standard treatments in college students with depression.
Study findings:
Rapid improvement in mood: Depression symptoms dropped by around 70% within 10–12 weeks, with some benefits appearing as early as two weeks.
Better overall wellbeing: Self-rated wellness scores tripled during the programme.
Positive body changes: Students lost an average of 6% of body weight and 13% of fat mass, without being told to restrict calories.
Brain health markers: Levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein linked to mood and brain resilience, increased by 32%.
Sharper thinking: Improvements were seen in memory, processing speed, and executive function tasks.
Why this matters
This research highlights the growing field of metabolic psychiatry, which looks at how nutrition and metabolism influence brain health. Poor metabolic health and insulin resistance are increasingly recognised as risk factors for depression. By improving metabolic function through diet, there may be knock-on benefits for mental wellbeing.
While this was a small, early study without a control group, it shows that dietary approaches can be a feasible and powerful complement to counselling and medication.
Takeaway
Food is more than fuel, it directly influences our brain chemistry, hormones, and mood. The ketogenic diet can be a powerful therapeutic tool in mental health and when guidance and support is provided can be followed by different population groups. This includes college students who have the demands of their course and are perhaps living away from home for the first time.
As research continues to grow, personalised dietary strategies should be considered an important part of care for depression and other mental health conditions.
If you would like to discuss a personalised nutrition plan to support your mental and/or physical health contact me to arrange a free 15 minute nutrition call.
Decker, D.D., Patel, R., Cheavens, J. et al. A pilot study examining a ketogenic diet as an adjunct therapy in college students with major depressive disorder. Transl Psychiatry 15, 322 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03544-8
