Can exogenous ketones help treat mental illness? In this interview, psychiatry resident and researcher in the Netherlands Dr. Karin Huizer shares groundbreaking insights into her pilot study using ketone esters for mental health. The hope is that this early research will inform us to whether or not supplemental ketones are a viable option for mental health, which could be especially useful for patients who struggle to follow a full ketogenic diet.
Dr. Huizer brings a unique perspective as both a scientist and someone living with bipolar disorder. She discusses:
- Why exogenous ketones might be a more accessible intervention for patients with treatment-resistant mental illness
- The design and goals of her current randomized, triple-blinded clinical trial
- How biomarkers like cortisol and melatonin are being measured in real-time using wearable nanotech
- The growing metabolic psychiatry community in the Netherlands
This conversation is full of insight, compassion, and hope for more effective, science-backed treatments in mental health.
Watch now to learn how metabolic interventions are evolving and what that could mean for patients worldwide.
Expert Featured:
Resources Mentioned:
Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope
Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness
Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.
Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/
About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.
Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.
