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A new study is offering a potential lifeline for the estimated 1.7 million people currently on mental health waiting lists in the UK, suggesting that a remotely delivered, group-based Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy (KMT) program can lead to significant, clinically meaningful reductions in depression and anxiety.
The small study, which evaluated 19 adults struggling with varying mental health conditions, found that a structured therapeutic ketogenic diet - through online psychoeducation, professional guidance and community support - led to a 62% reduction in depression scores and a 46% reduction in anxiety scores over just 12 weeks.
KMT is a nutritional approach that changes how the body and brain use energy. By swapping carbs for healthy fats to trigger a state of therapeutic ketosis, the process shifts the body and brain from burning sugar to burning fat, helping to optimise brain energy levels.
Erin Bellamy, Research Fellow at the University of East London and lead author of the study said:
“Traditional treatments like antidepressants and psychotherapy are vital, but often focus on symptom management, and the current waiting times for care are a national crisis. These results demonstrate that a metabolic approach, delivered through a cost-effective digital group format, isn't just feasible, but could be transformative.
“Larger, controlled trials are needed to evaluate the long-term sustainability of these results and explore how this model can be integrated into existing healthcare systems to reduce the burden on the NHS and global providers.”
Unlike many traditional interventions that see high dropout rates, 100% of participants completed the 12-week program and remained in ketosis 85% of the time.
Notes to editors
- Erin Bellamy is available for interview, please contact Melanie Battolla at pressoffice@uel.ac.uk to arrange.
- An image of Erin Bellamy is available upon request.
- The full paper is available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2026.1751564/full#h1
- About the University of East London: The University of East London (UEL), founded in 1898, is a careers-first university dedicated to empowering students with the skills, experience and networks they need to thrive in a changing world. With over 40,000 students from more than 160 countries, UEL places social mobility, inclusive excellence and real-world impact at the heart of its mission. Based in Stratford and the Royal Albert Dock, UEL is shaping a healthier, fairer and more sustainable future through transformative education, research and innovation. In 2026, UEL is celebrating another Year of Health, which includes launching a new Health Campus that will address health inequalities and foster innovation in the sector. For more information, visit www.uel.ac.uk.
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