Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested this week that dietary changes could play a role in addressing severe mental illness, citing emerging research on low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets during a speech in Tennessee.
Kennedy delivered his remarks Wednesday in Nashville alongside Gov. Bill Lee (R), using the platform to highlight the Trump administration’s newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which shape federal nutrition programs such as school lunches and food assistance.
He argued that diets dominated by ultraprocessed foods and refined carbohydrates may be contributing to the rise of mental health disorders nationwide.
“Food is no longer just about physical health,” Kennedy said, highlighting the potential influence of dietary patterns on mental well-being.
He suggested that ketogenic diets, which are high in fat and extremely low in carbohydrates, could help manage conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
The medical use of ketogenic diets dates back to the 1920s, when physicians observed that fasting reduced seizure activity in patients with epilepsy.
Modern ketogenic protocols mimic the metabolic state of fasting, shifting the body to rely on fat rather than carbohydrates for energy. This metabolic shift may also impact brain function, an area now drawing increased scientific interest.
Kennedy cited the work of Dr. Christopher Palmer, director of the Metabolic and Mental Health Program at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital.
Palmer has investigated ketogenic diets as a potential intervention for severe psychiatric disorders.
His 2019 case study followed two patients with schizophrenia whose symptoms improved after adopting a ketogenic regimen, and his 2022 book Brain Energy argues that metabolic dysfunction in the brain may underlie a variety of psychiatric conditions.
In recent years, small clinical studies have begun to examine the broader effects of ketogenic diets on mental health.
In 2024, Stanford Medicine conducted a pilot study with 21 adults diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Participants who followed a ketogenic diet showed improvements in psychiatric symptoms, along with better metabolic health indicators such as lower weight gain and improved insulin sensitivity.
These findings are notable because many antipsychotic medications can negatively affect metabolic function.
Further research is ongoing, according to The Washington Examiner.
Massachusetts General Brigham has launched a clinical trial to evaluate ketogenic diets in patients with bipolar I disorder and schizoaffective disorder, focusing on mental health outcomes as well as metabolic benefits.
Medical experts caution that while early research is promising, nutritional interventions should not replace conventional psychiatric treatments.
The American Psychological Association notes evidence linking diet quality to mental health but stresses the need for larger, more rigorous studies before drawing definitive conclusions.
Kennedy also connected his remarks to the Trump administration’s dietary policy initiatives.
The 2026 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published last month, recommend reducing added sugars and increasing protein intake compared with previous editions, reflecting a focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods.
“We are asking Americans to prioritize real, nutrient-dense foods,” Kennedy said, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, high-fiber grains, and protein-rich meals.
By framing nutrition as both a physical and mental health priority, Kennedy positioned dietary reform as a potential public health tool.
While the concept remains controversial among medical professionals, growing research on metabolic therapies suggests that diet may complement existing psychiatric treatments and offer new avenues for improving mental health outcomes.
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