Health Secretary's Keto Cure Claim for Schizophrenia Lacks Evidence, Experts Assert
In a recent address at The Heritage Foundation on February 9, 2026, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr promoted a "new food pyramid" advocating increased red meat and dairy consumption, while controversially suggesting that ketogenic diets can cure schizophrenia. However, psychiatric experts have swiftly countered this claim, emphasizing that no scientific evidence supports such a curative assertion, though they acknowledge the diet's potential for symptom management under strict medical oversight.
Harvard Psychiatrist Clarifies Position on Keto and Schizophrenia
Kennedy Jr's statement appears to reference the work of Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Christopher Palmer, who has researched ketogenic diets for mental health conditions. Dr. Palmer has explicitly stated, "I have never once used the word 'cure' in my work. I have never claimed to have cured any mental illness, including schizophrenia." Instead, he describes the ketogenic diet as "a very powerful treatment, even to the point of inducing remission of symptoms of schizophrenia," highlighting a critical distinction between cure and remission that Kennedy Jr's remarks blurred.
Case Reports and Controlled Trials: A Cautious Optimism
The basis for exploring keto's role in schizophrenia stems from two case reports published by Dr. Palmer in Schizophrenia Research in 2019. These reports detailed two women, aged 39 and 82, with long-term schizophrenia who experienced symptom improvement while on a ketogenic diet for other health reasons, such as gastrointestinal distress and weight loss. Both eventually discontinued their schizophrenia medications, but Dr. Palmer cautions against unsupervised cessation, noting one patient faced severe psychosis and hospitalization after abruptly stopping medication.
Dr. Palmer stresses that case reports, while valuable for hypothesis generation, are not controlled studies and come with inherent biases. Currently, around 20 controlled trials are investigating keto's efficacy for psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These studies aim to build on early evidence suggesting keto may help mitigate symptoms and side effects of traditional medications, which often include weight gain and metabolic issues.
Scientific Mechanisms and Practical Challenges
Researchers propose that keto's benefits may relate to mitochondrial function, the cellular "powerhouse." Dr. Deanna Kelly of the University of Maryland School of Medicine explains that keto alters mitochondrial fuel usage, shifting the body into ketosis, where it burns fat instead of glucose. Brain imaging studies, such as those by Dr. Daniel Smith at the University of Edinburgh, are exploring how keto affects brain glutamate levels, with preliminary findings showing correlations to symptomatic improvement in bipolar disorder, though larger studies are needed.
Despite growing interest, practical challenges remain. Ketogenic diets are restrictive, eliminating staples like rice and bread, and can be expensive and difficult to maintain long-term. Clinical trials typically last weeks to months, raising questions about adherence and the feasibility of "cheat days" without disrupting ketosis. Sydney Murray, a researcher in Dr. Kelly's lab, notes that individual tolerance varies, suggesting some patients might manage a more relaxed version.
Political Polarization and Future Directions
Dr. Palmer expresses frustration over the politicization of his research, warning that framing keto as a "Republican treatment" or associating it solely with RFK Jr could hinder scientific progress. He advocates for depoliticized dialogue to advance mental health treatments. As studies continue, the focus remains on rigorous evidence rather than anecdotal claims, ensuring patient safety and informed medical guidance.
In summary, while ketogenic diets show promise for schizophrenia symptom remission, experts unanimously reject Kennedy Jr's cure claim, underscoring the need for supervised, evidence-based approaches in mental health care.
