Ketogenic metabolic therapy involves eating a diet high in good fats, with enough protein, and very few carbohydrates. When you eat this way, your body stops using glucose (from carbs) for energy. Instead, it switches to burning fat as its primary fuel source, converting it into ketones.

A landmark clinical trial, just published, led by Guido Frank, MD, found that a supervised ketogenic program led to 75% of the completers, who were mildly underweight or weight restored, exhibiting significant improvements in eating disorder symptoms. They showed less concern about food and body shape, and improved mood. The study indicated the keto protocol used in our AnorExit® program is safe, feasible, and effective.

Read the full peer-reviewed study at ‍ Symptom impact and safety of ketogenic therapy in adults with anorexia nervosa: a feasibility trial in Communications Medicine ‍

The study found that eating a modified ketogenic diet did not trigger weight loss, a common fear held by many therapists and dietitians. Trust in the keto dietary program, supported by peer coaching from Caroline Beckwith, led most participants to comment that they were “surprise(d) that this intervention could provide a level of recovery that they had not experienced in the past.”

For more information about keto for anorexia recovery see the very recent article about Caroline Beckwith in Scientific American https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/could-the-keto-diet-help-treat-anorexia-schizophrenia-and-depression/

Dr. Frank serves on our Medical and Scientifc Advisory Board, and Caroline Beckwith, our peer coach, provided operational assistance during the independent trial.