Researchers looked at whether a ketogenic diet (a low-carb, high-fat eating plan) could help college students with depression feel better. In a small study of 16 students, those who followed this diet for 10-12 weeks showed big improvements in their depression symptoms—about 70% better on average. They also reported feeling happier, thinking more clearly, and having better body composition. While these results are exciting, the study was small and didn’t have a comparison group, so we can’t be completely sure the diet caused the improvement. Scientists say we need bigger, more rigorous studies before recommending this as a standard treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating a ketogenic diet (very low carbs, high fat) for 10-12 weeks could reduce depression symptoms in college students alongside their regular treatment
  • Who participated: 16 college students with major depression who completed the study. This was a self-selected group, meaning they chose to participate, which may have made them more motivated than average
  • Key finding: Students’ depression scores dropped by about 69-71% (p < 0.001), which is a very large improvement. They also reported better mood, sharper thinking, and healthier body composition
  • What it means for you: This suggests a ketogenic diet might help with depression, but it’s too early to recommend it as a treatment. The study was too small and didn’t compare the diet group to a regular group, so we can’t be sure the diet itself caused the improvement rather than other factors like placebo effect or counseling

The Research Details

This was a pilot study, which means it was a small, early-stage test of an idea. Sixteen college students with depression followed a well-formulated ketogenic diet (a carefully planned low-carbohydrate, high-fat eating approach) for 10-12 weeks. Researchers measured their depression using two standard questionnaires before and after the diet period. They also tracked changes in mood, thinking ability, body composition, and blood markers related to brain health and metabolism.

The study design is called an ‘uncontrolled cohort,’ which means there was no comparison group eating a regular diet. Everyone in the study followed the same ketogenic diet, so researchers couldn’t directly compare the diet group to a control group. This is a common approach for very early research to see if something might work before investing in larger, more expensive studies.

Pilot studies like this are important stepping stones in research. They help scientists decide if an idea is worth studying more carefully. Depression is a serious problem affecting millions of people, and current treatments don’t work for everyone. If dietary changes could help, that would be valuable because it’s a low-risk approach that people could try alongside their regular treatment. This study provides early evidence that might justify larger, more rigorous studies.

This study has several limitations that affect how much we can trust the results. First, it’s very small (only 16 people), so the findings might not apply to larger groups. Second, there’s no control group, so we can’t know if the diet itself caused the improvement or if other factors did (like placebo effect, counseling, or just the attention from being in a study). Third, the participants were self-selected, meaning they chose to participate, which might mean they were more motivated or hopeful than average. Finally, we don’t know how long the improvements lasted after the study ended. The researchers acknowledged these limitations and called for larger, controlled studies to confirm the findings.

What the Results Show

The main finding was dramatic: students’ depression scores dropped by approximately 69-71% after 10-12 weeks on the ketogenic diet, and this improvement was statistically significant (p < 0.001, meaning there’s less than a 0.1% chance this happened by random chance). This is a very large improvement—comparable to what researchers see with antidepressant medications in some studies.

Beyond depression scores, students reported feeling better overall. They said their mood improved, they could think more clearly, and they felt more energetic. These self-reported improvements are important because depression affects how people feel day-to-day, not just test scores.

The researchers also measured physical changes. Students showed improvements in body composition (better muscle-to-fat ratios) and changes in blood markers. Specifically, leptin (a hormone related to hunger and metabolism) decreased, while BDNF (a protein important for brain health) increased. These biological changes suggest the diet might be affecting brain chemistry in ways that could help with depression.

Beyond depression, students reported improvements in cognitive performance—meaning they felt sharper and could concentrate better. This is significant because depression often makes it hard to think clearly and focus. Students also experienced improvements in their overall sense of wellbeing and quality of life. The metabolic changes (leptin and BDNF) suggest the diet might be working through biological pathways related to brain inflammation and brain cell health, though more research is needed to confirm this.

These results are interesting compared to existing research because they suggest dietary changes might have antidepressant effects similar to medication in some cases. However, most depression research focuses on medication or therapy, not diet. Some previous studies have suggested that diet quality affects mood, and some research on ketogenic diets shows potential brain benefits, but very few studies have specifically tested ketogenic diets for depression in college students. This pilot study adds to a growing body of evidence that what we eat might affect our mental health, though much more research is needed.

Several important limitations prevent us from drawing strong conclusions. The study had only 16 participants, which is very small—results from small studies often don’t hold up when tested with larger groups. There was no control group (no group eating a regular diet for comparison), so we can’t know if the diet itself caused the improvement or if other factors did. The participants were self-selected volunteers, which might mean they were more motivated or hopeful than average people with depression. The study lasted only 10-12 weeks, so we don’t know if improvements lasted longer or if people could stick with the diet long-term. Finally, the researchers didn’t track whether participants were also receiving counseling or other treatments, which could have contributed to the improvements.

The Bottom Line

Based on this pilot study alone, we cannot recommend ketogenic diets as a standard treatment for depression. However, the results are interesting enough to warrant larger, more rigorous studies. If you have depression and are interested in trying a ketogenic diet, discuss it first with your doctor or mental health provider. A ketogenic diet should only be considered as a complement to, not a replacement for, proven treatments like therapy or medication. Anyone considering major dietary changes should work with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian, especially if they’re taking medications.

College students with depression might find this research interesting and worth discussing with their healthcare provider. Mental health professionals and researchers studying depression should pay attention to these findings as a reason to conduct larger studies. However, people with certain medical conditions (like diabetes, heart disease, or kidney problems) should be especially cautious about ketogenic diets and should definitely consult their doctor first. This research is too preliminary to recommend for the general public.

In this study, improvements appeared within 10-12 weeks. However, we don’t know if this timeline would apply to other people or if improvements would continue beyond the study period. Real-world results might take longer or be smaller than what was seen in this motivated, self-selected group.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily mood using a simple 1-10 scale and weekly depression symptoms using a standardized questionnaire (like PHQ-9). Also track dietary adherence—what percentage of meals followed the ketogenic guidelines—to see if there’s a relationship between diet consistency and mood improvement
  • If exploring a ketogenic diet with professional guidance, use the app to log meals and track macronutrient ratios (fat, protein, carbohydrates). Set reminders for meal planning and grocery shopping. Log mood and energy levels daily to identify patterns between diet adherence and mental health symptoms
  • Create a weekly dashboard showing mood trends, depression symptom scores, diet adherence percentage, and energy levels. Compare week-to-week changes to identify patterns. Share this data with your healthcare provider during regular check-ins to assess whether the dietary approach is helping and whether adjustments are needed

This research is a small pilot study and should not be considered definitive evidence that ketogenic diets treat depression. If you have depression, please consult with a qualified mental health professional or physician before making significant dietary changes. A ketogenic diet should never replace proven treatments like therapy or medication. This diet may not be appropriate for people with certain medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or eating disorders. Always discuss any major dietary changes with your healthcare provider, especially if you take medications. The findings presented here are preliminary and require confirmation through larger, controlled studies before clinical recommendations can be made.