Keto for Depression: ~70% Improvement for College Students in New Study

Sep 11, 2025

Drew Decker, a research assistant at The Ohio State University, and Dr. Jeff Volek, a seasoned expert in ketogenic therapy, share exciting new findings on how a ketogenic diet dramatically improves major depression symptoms in college students. They reveal astonishing results with 100% participant response rates and a 69-71% reduction in depression scores, all while enhancing cognitive performance and metabolic health. The duo discusses the promising feasibility of these dietary interventions and their implications for mental health treatment among youth.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Pilot Trial Purpose And Design

A 10–12 week ketogenic intervention was tested for feasibility and symptom change in college students with major depression.
The trial prioritized adherence and measured depression, inflammation, and cognition as secondary outcomes.

ADVICE

Individualize Counseling And Provide Real-Time Support

Provide individualized dietary consultations to tailor ketogenic plans to students' preferences and social habits.
Offer real-time support via a secure app and review meal photos to maintain adherence.

INSIGHT

Attrition Driven By College Schedules

Of 24 starters, 16 completed the trial with a 33% dropout mostly from scheduling conflicts.
Adherence timing and recruitment windows are important lessons for future college studies.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

A groundbreaking study from The Ohio State University shows that ketogenic therapy may dramatically reduce symptoms of major depression in college students.

In this interview, study research leads Dr. Jeff Volek and Drew Decker break down the results:

100% of participants responded
69-71% improvements in depression scores
Improvements in cognitive performance, body composition, and metabolic health
No relapses

Dr. Volek has decades of experience conducting research on ketogenic therapy. The Volek Low Carbohydrate Laboratory is one of the best in the game at conducting quality ketogenic science. In this interview Dr. Volek and Drew also cover:

The feasibility of ketogenic therapy in college students
How student participants were supported
What the next steps are for research

As evidence for metabolic psychiatry increases, let’s not forget ketogenic therapy’s roots in pediatric epilepsy. We know a ketogenic diet can be beneficial to our youth and we need more research like this to help pave the way for better youth mental health outcomes.

📺 Watch now to hear how ketogenic therapy may become a new path to hope for young people struggling with depression.

Want to learn more about this study? Check out our blog post: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/news-views/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/new-research-a-ketogenic-diet-improved-depression-in-college-students/

#MentalHealth #KetogenicDiet #MetabolicPsychiatry #DepressionTreatment #NutritionScience #CollegeHealth #DrJeffVolek #MetabolicMind

Expert Featured:

Dr. Jeff Volek

Website: https://lowcarb.osu.edu/

Drew Decker

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drew_d_decker/

Resources Mentioned:

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03544-8

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon.

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

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.