Using a ketogenic diet to help individuals recover from anorexia nervosa
Official title: Ketogenic Diet in Weight Recovered Anorexia Nervosa to Target Metabolism and Normalize Persistent Eating Disorder Psychopathology
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11138731 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a ketogenic diet might help people who have recovered from anorexia nervosa by seeing if it can improve brain function and reduce lingering eating disorder symptoms, and we're inviting participants to join us in exploring this exciting possibility!
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $868,303 |
| NIH project number | 5R61MH134909-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138731 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals who have recovered from anorexia nervosa and are interested in exploring dietary interventions to support their mental health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are currently underweight or actively struggling with anorexia nervosa may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of a ketogenic diet on individuals who have recovered from anorexia nervosa. The study aims to understand how this diet may influence brain metabolism and alleviate persistent eating disorder symptoms. Participants will undergo assessments using advanced imaging techniques to measure brain glucose metabolism and other biological markers. The research will compare the outcomes of those on the ketogenic diet with a healthy control group to evaluate its safety and effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel dietary intervention to help improve recovery outcomes for individuals with anorexia nervosa.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have suggested that dietary interventions like ketosis may have therapeutic effects on eating disorder symptoms, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frank, Guido Kw — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Frank, Guido Kw
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how habits influence anorexia nervosa and its remission
A research study will explore how habitual eating patterns and brain systems keep anorexia nervosa going, and how these habits might change when people recover.
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Online guided self-help family-based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa
A study is testing a guided self-help version of a proven family-based therapy to help adolescents with anorexia nervosa receive effective treatment more efficiently in real-world clinics.
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Ketogenic Diet for Weight-Recovered Anorexia Nervosa to Support Metabolism and Eating-Disorder Symptoms
A research project will test a ketogenic diet to see if it helps people who have recovered weight from anorexia nervosa by normalizing brain metabolism and reducing core eating-disorder thoughts and behaviors.
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Point-of-care RH risk tool for refeeding in anorexia nervosa
A quick, clinician-friendly risk tool helps predict who with anorexia nervosa might develop dangerous low phosphorus during hospitalization, guiding safer feeding and monitoring.
-
Guided Online Self-Help Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa
A study tests if an online guided self-help version of family-based treatment works as well as standard treatment for teens with anorexia nervosa, in real-world clinics.
-
Online guided family-based program for adolescents with anorexia nervosa
This project offers an online guided family-based program to help adolescents with anorexia nervosa improve symptoms while using much less therapist time than standard family therapy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.