Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has come under fire again for saying that a diet change can “cure” mental illness.
Speaking at the Tennessee State Capitol as part of a “Take Back Your Health” tour on Feb. 4, Kennedy touted the new food pyramid unveiled by the Department of Health and Human Services in January, which drew a mixed bag of praise and caution from experts, and attributed the prevalence of mental illness in America to food quality.
The updated dietary guidelines place a newfound emphasis on red meats, fats and dairy, much like Kennedy’s own diet, which he has described as “carnivore.” They are also friendly to the low-carb, high-fat diet known as keto, which Kennedy told his Tennessee audience has “cured schizophrenia” and helped mental health patients “lose their bipolar diagnosis.” He later repeated the statements in a Theo Von podcast appearance.
While early studies show some promise, Kennedy’s statements don’t fully align with emerging evidence in a growing field of study, health experts said.
“There have been a few small trials which test the ability of keto diets to reduce symptoms of schizophrenia. These studies have shown improvements in psychiatric symptoms. This data does not mean the condition has been cured,” Dr. Alison Steiber, Chief Mission, Impact and Strategy Officer for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told USA TODAY. “However, the diet may be a promising therapy which could be used to help manage symptoms in people living with schizophrenia.”
Kennedy has previously been criticized by experts and medical institutions like the American Academy of Pediatrics for disproven or unsubstantiated statements about vaccines, measles, autism, fluoride and nutrition. Fans of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, however, have praised his focus on tackling food quality and chronic illness in the United States.
Here’s what to know about the keto diet and mental health.
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What is keto?
Generally speaking, the ketogenic diet, more commonly known as keto, entails adhering to certain ratios of different nutrients − often around 60-70% fat, 20-30% protein and 10% carbohydrates.
The diet’s goal is to force the body to enter ketosis, a metabolic process in which the ketones found in fat are burned for energy instead of or in addition to the glucose found in carbs. The diet was not conceptualized as the wellness fad it’s become known as today: More than 100 years ago, it began as a medically-prescribed treatment for the management of seizures, especially for children with treatment-resistant epilepsy, according to John Hopkins Medicine. It is still used in that capacity today.
Traditionally, it is administered under close medical supervision − more like a course of medication than an at-home lifestyle change.
While it has become popular for weight loss and the management of other conditions like Type 2 diabetes, there is not yet robust, long-term research into its benefits, safety and impact over a 20-plus-year period, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Can keto ‘cure’ mental illness? How?
Researchers theorize that changes that occur in the body while in ketosis, such as reduced inflammation, have an impact on brain conditions. So, a keto diet could reduce the need for medical interventions like medication in the case of some mental health disorders.
“Use of ketones as an energy source for the brain may reduce inflammation and improve mitochondrial dysfunction thereby reducing symptoms of the condition,” explained Steiber.
But chronic illnesses like schizophrenia are not considered to be “curable,” whether through medication or diet. And, with the exact mechanics of the diets’ effect on brain function still not fully understood, experts have cautioned against the definitive nature of Kennedy’s statement.
“The area of diet and mental health is still in the early stages of investigation,” Dr. Walter Willett, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, told USA TODAY. “There is considerable evidence that some relationships exist, possibly related to effects of diet on our gut microbiome. More research is needed because the burdens of mental health are large and treatments are far from optimal.”
Kennedy specifically cited the research of a “Dr. Pollan” at Harvard to support his claims. While there is a retired professor of non-fiction at Harvard named Michael Pollan, it appears Kennedy meant to reference Dr. Christopher Palmer, an assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and founder of the Metabolic and Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Maryland.
HHS did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.
“The word ‘cure’ is not supported by the current scientific evidence,” Palmer told USA TODAY. “What we have so far are case reports and small clinical studies suggesting that ketogenic diets may reduce symptoms in some people with schizophrenia – sometimes dramatically – but that is very different from proving a cure.”
Palmer co-authored a 2025 review of research and evidence linking a keto diet to the treatment of schizophrenia. It found that some small pilot and case studies showed a promising link between a medically-controlled keto diet and symptom improvement, but noted that “evidence remains limited” thanks to small study sizes, short study periods and challenges with getting patients to fulfill diet requirements.
“Large-scale, rigorously controlled clinical studies are essential to confirm efficacy, safety, and define the therapeutic scope for KD as an adjunct or alternative therapy in schizophrenia,” it said.
Palmer likewise published a 2019 case study in which two women diagnosed with schizophrenia stopped taking their antipsychotic medications after starting a keto diet. They remained symptom-free for years after making the swap, the study found.
The women were never described as “cured,” however, nor were those in similar case studies.
“Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous condition. Some people may experience significant improvement or even prolonged remission, but some may not benefit at all. No treatment for schizophrenia is a panacea,” said Palmer.
‘Cure’ or no, keto may show promise for mental health
In 2024, Stanford Medicine published the first clinical trial of its kind, following 21 patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and found that 79% of patients showed at least a slight “clinically meaningful improvement” when adhering to the diet.
However, the study did not include a control group and was relatively short and small, according to its authors. It was also conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic with a group of people who may not be generally representative of the public.
Other studies have shown that the keto diet may potentially offer benefits for those diagnosed with depression, Alzheimer’s and autism. At least two completed randomized controlled studies on keto and mental illness are on their way to being published this year, Palmer said, and there are 20 other clinical trials underway.
He expects the field of study linking metabolic function and mental health to expand rapidly in the coming months and years. Even if no “cure” for ailments like schizophrenia results from further research, the preliminary promise shown in early trials and studies could prove beneficial for symptom relief and management.
In the meantime, however, experts like Palmer and Steiber warn against hopping on the keto trend without at least consulting a doctor first. And don’t plan to “cure” your chronic mental illness with a diet change − at least not yet.
“If people are interested in learning more about using the ketogenic diet to treat mental illness, they should work with a qualified healthcare professional,” said Palmer. “This is a medical intervention that requires supervision, education, and medical support. People with serious mental illnesses deserve competent and safe medical care. I urge patients not to try this on their own.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RFK Jr. says keto diet can ‘cure’ schizophrenia. What experts say.
