Harvard Psychiatrist Challenges RFK Jr.'s Keto Diet Claims for Schizophrenia 'Cure'

Global - Ekhbary News Agency

Harvard Psychiatrist Challenges RFK Jr.'s Keto Diet Claims for Schizophrenia 'Cure'

A leading Harvard psychiatrist, Dr. Christopher M. Palmer, has publicly pushed back against assertions made by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently claimed that the ketogenic diet could “cure” schizophrenia. Dr. Palmer, whose groundbreaking work explores the intricate connections between diet and mental health, clarified on Friday that while the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet shows promising results in certain cases, it does not offer a definitive cure for the complex psychiatric disorder, a distinction he rigorously maintains.

Kennedy's remarks, delivered at the Tennessee State Capitol, suggested a definitive breakthrough, stating, “we now know that the things that you eat are driving mental illness in this country,” and crediting a Harvard doctor with “curing schizophrenia using keto diets.” These statements quickly garnered attention, particularly given Kennedy’s prominent public platform and his “Make America Healthy Again” movement, which advocates for alternative health approaches.

Dr. Palmer, who reportedly met with Mr. Kennedy prior to the 2024 elections and was a candidate for the directorship of the National Institute of Mental Health, addressed the claims directly. “It’s not accurate,” Dr. Palmer stated in an interview. “Although I appreciate Secretary Kennedy’s enthusiasm for my work, I have never claimed to have cured schizophrenia or any other mental disorder, and I certainly never use the word ‘cure’ in my work.” He further elaborated, emphasizing that his research focuses on “treatment” and documenting “a robust response for some individuals to the point of remission of symptoms.” This nuanced position underscores the scientific community's cautious approach to complex conditions like schizophrenia, where remission signifies a significant improvement in symptoms, but not necessarily a complete eradication of the underlying condition or a guarantee against relapse.

The ketogenic diet, traditionally known for its efficacy in managing epilepsy and promoting weight loss, involves a drastic reduction in carbohydrate intake, forcing the body to burn fat for fuel. While Dr. Palmer acknowledges its established benefits in epilepsy and its potential in mental health, he also points out its associated risks, particularly to cardiovascular health, and the logistical challenges of long-term adherence, especially for individuals with severe mental illness.

Dr. Palmer’s journey into this field began with a patient suffering from schizoaffective disorder, for whom he initially prescribed the keto diet under strict medical supervision primarily for weight management. To his surprise, the patient, while continuing medication, reported a spontaneous reduction in hallucinations and delusions after approximately two months. This anecdotal success led to further investigation, culminating in a 2019 publication detailing two schizophrenia patients who achieved “complete remission of symptoms” with the keto diet, enabling them to discontinue antipsychotic medications. More recently, he and his colleagues have described the diet as a “promising therapeutic approach for schizophrenia,” carefully choosing language that reflects potential rather than certainty.

Despite Dr. Palmer's cautious optimism and the growing interest from patients, the broader psychiatric establishment remains significantly more reserved. Mainstream psychiatrists warn that the evidence supporting ketogenic therapy for mental health disorders is largely anecdotal, based on case studies and small pilot trials, rather than large-scale, randomized controlled studies considered the gold standard in medical research. A forthcoming 2025 policy paper from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) underscores this skepticism, noting that treating psychiatric symptoms with a ketogenic diet “remains controversial, and lacks robust, consistent evidence-based research to warrant implementation into routine practice.” The APA also highlights the considerable practical difficulties patients face in strictly adhering to such a restrictive diet.

Dr. Paul S. Appelbaum, a distinguished Columbia University psychiatry professor and former president of the APA, echoed these concerns, characterizing the existing evidence as “very, very preliminary.” He strongly advocates for rigorous, comparative studies, where patients on and off the diet are followed for extended periods (six to twelve months) and evaluated by independent assessors blinded to the treatment protocol. “Until then, it’s simply misleading to suggest that we know that ketogenic diets can improve schizophrenia symptoms, much less that they can cure the condition,” Dr. Appelbaum asserted, reinforcing the scientific community’s call for prudence and thorough investigation.

The disparity between the intense enthusiasm from patients, many of whom are desperate for new treatment avenues, and the scientific community's measured caution, creates a challenging landscape. Dr. Palmer himself acknowledges the emotional toll, stating, “This has been my heartbreaking journey for the last several years, because I literally have thousands of people reaching out to me begging for this treatment, and the reality is there are not” readily available and widely accepted clinical pathways. While he envisions a future where “dietary interventions” could become a first-line treatment for psychotic disorders, he firmly advises against patients discontinuing antipsychotic medications or attempting the diet without close, professional medical supervision, emphasizing safety and evidence-based practice above all else.

Ekhbary News Agency