february 6, 2026
3 min read
WASHINGTON, February 6, 2026 – U.S.Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s claim that a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet can cure certain psychiatric conditions is not supported by current evidence, experts say.
Preliminary studies suggest that a ketogenic diet could reduce schizophrenia symptoms in some people, but experts caution against characterizing it as a cure.
At an event in tennessee on Wednesday, where Kennedy promoted new nutrition guidelines emphasizing red meat, whole milk, and animal fats, he stated that a harvard doctor had “cured schizophrenia using keto diets” and that studies showed people “lose their bipolar diagnosis by changing their diet.”
A ketogenic diet typically derives at least 70 percent of its calories from fat, around 20 percent from protein, and minimizes carbohydrate intake.
Antipsychotic drugs remain the primary treatment for schizophrenia, despite potential side effects and varying patient responses.
Jeff Volek, a professor at the Ohio State University specializing in ketogenic diets, said he is unaware of any published clinical trial demonstrating the diet can cure schizophrenia.However, he acknowledged the possibility of individual cases showing symptom improvement linked to the diet.
“There are nuances hear,” Volek said. “As a scientist, I personally would not use such strong language [as ‘cure’] without more definitive evidence from rigorous scientific studies.”
Research suggests that strict, clinician-monitored ketogenic diets can alleviate symptoms in other brain conditions. For example, individuals with severe and rare seizure disorders, such as Driven syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, have shown benefits from following a ketogenic diet.Palmer noted that psychiatry has historically adapted epilepsy treatments for other mental illnesses. The keto diet may influence brain inflammation, perhaps playing a role in other psychiatric conditions.
He emphasized that psychiatric use of the keto diet involves a rigid treatment protocol, distinct from general dietary choices.
“People following diets for health and wellness advice or even long-term cardiovascular health-it’s not at all the same thing as treating a serious brain disorder like epilepsy or schizophrenia,” Palmer said. “By no means would I ever want them to think that [a person with schizophrenia] can go wing it and just try a diet and cure themselves.”
Preliminary research also suggests potential effects of keto diets on major depression. A recent clinical trial showed participants following a keto diet experienced a slightly greater improvement in symptoms compared to those consuming a fruit- and vegetable-rich diet. Though,this study and other recent research do not definitively prove the diet can cure depression, but interest in the area is growing, Palmer said.
“The grate news is that two randomized, controlled trials of the ketogenic diet for schizophrenia just wrapped up,” Palmer said, adding that results will be published in the coming year.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
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