A fast-acting non-drug, supplemental treatment to combat the recent surge of mental health problems in Israel

The recent attack by Hamas on October 7 and the resulting conflict has left many Israelis suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While therapeutic treatments are important for helping these individuals cope and recover, emerging research suggests that the ketogenic diet could also provide significant cognitive and psychological benefits as an adjunct treatment. This report will explore the potential of the ketogenic diet as a complementary therapy for improving mental well-being in the wake of this traumatic event.

The Ketogenic Diet and Brain Health 

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that has been used for nearly a century to treat epilepsy in children. More recently, it has gained popularity as a weight loss diet. However, mounting evidence indicates that the diet may have broader therapeutic potential, particularly for brain health.

A recent mouse study conducted by neuroscientists and clinical dietitians at Tel Aviv University found that the ketogenic diet led to improvements in spatial and visual memory by up to 50% and reduced brain inflammation after traumatic brain injury (Zilberter, 2019). The researchers hypothesize that the neuroprotective effects may be due to ketones, which are produced when the body burns fat for fuel instead of glucose. Ketones appear to improve energy supply to the brain and decrease neuroinflammation.

While more research is needed, these findings suggest the ketogenic diet could help ameliorate cognitive deficits and support psychological resilience in patients suffering from trauma-related mental health conditions. Two recent books by psychiatrists Dr. Georgia Ede and Dr. Chris Palmer present case studies and explore the mechanisms by which the ketogenic diet may improve symptoms in a range of serious mental illnesses, including major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Implementation in Israel

Fortunately, the ketogenic diet is well-established in Israel, where it has been used to treat pediatric epilepsy for decades. There are already medically supervised ketogenic diet clinics and several Hebrew-language ketogenic cookbooks available.

The diet can also be adapted to comply with kosher dietary laws. Kosher-certified foods like meat, eggs, fish, and certain dairy products are all acceptable on the ketogenic diet. Olive oil is a staple that can be used. Other kosher fat sources include avocado, coconut, and certain nuts and seeds. Low-carbohydrate vegetables, limited amounts of low-sugar fruits, and small portions of complex carbohydrates can provide essential nutrients while keeping the diet ketogenic.

Another variation is the Carnivore Keto diet which is a strict type of ketogenic diet in which all calories come from animal products. This is a fast-acting stabilizing diet which brings relief quickly.

Potential Benefits and Next Steps

For Israelis grappling with mental health challenges after the recent Hamas attacks, the ketogenic diet could provide a valuable additional treatment option alongside therapy and medication. The diet's potential to enhance cognitive function and psychological well-being could help patients recover more fully.

Additionally, for patients who require psychotropic medications, the ketogenic diet may allow them to reduce their dosage or taper off these drugs under medical supervision. Many psychiatric medications can have significant side effects, be habit-forming, or carry a risk of addiction. Lowering the reliance on these drugs, when feasible, is desirable.

To make this treatment more widely available to patients, several steps should be taken:

1) Conduct clinical trials in Israel studying the diet's impact on mental health outcomes

2) Educate mental health professionals about the diet and how to support patients in adopting it

3) Expand access to medically supervised ketogenic diet clinics and registered dietitians experienced with the diet

4) Produce patient-friendly educational materials and additional kosher ketogenic cookbooks in several languages.

5) Consider subsidies to make healthy ketogenic foods more affordable, as the diet can be expensive

Conclusion

The ketogenic diet is a promising adjunct therapy for Israelis facing mental health struggles in the aftermath of the recent conflict. By improving brain function and psychological resilience, the diet could enhance quality of life and potentially reduce reliance on psychiatric medications. Israel is well-positioned to further study this novel treatment approach and to make it widely accessible to patients. Swift action should be taken to leverage the ketogenic diet as a tool to support the psychological well-being of those impacted by this traumatic experience.