This section reflects other conditions that appear to have a metabolic component. The conditions listed in the contents are emergent in terms of the evidence – they may have features of metabolic dysregulation that respond to therapeutic carbohydrate restriction.
This is an emerging area. Studies include diets favouring whole foods or avoiding potential trigger foods. There are a number of features that may connect the conditions e.g. nutrient sufficiency, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, hormonal responses (ghrelin/leptin) and brain glucose hypometabolism/insulin signaling issues which support the potential role of nutritional interventions.
The significant burden of metabolic syndrome in these patients, along with the possible role of drug side effects, could indicate a benefit of therapeutic carbohydrate restriction as an independent consideration.
Due to the therapeutic effect of carbohydrate restriction, medical supervision is advised when adopting this approach – reflected in the following article: Ede G (Author), Scher B (Medical review) Low Carb and Mental Health: Getting Started & Managing Medications. Diet Doctor.
‘Over the past 20 years, there has been a modest but increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of ketogenic diet (KD) for bipolar disorder. The rationale is that some anti-epileptics are mood-stabilizers, and KD is a recognized treatment for refractory seizures. One study described a positive impact of KD in 2 patients with type 2 bipolar disorder(1). Another publication reported no effect of KD in a more severe case(2). KD was also described as beneficial in 2 patients diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder. A recent study examined spontaneous online reports on forums dedicated to bipolar disorders, finding support for the beneficial effects of KD(3). We contribute to this limited literature with the personal case of the second author, who suffers from type 1 bipolar disorder. She spontaneously initiated KD and experienced significant improvement of her symptoms’
Platzer M, Fellendorf FT, Bengesser SA, et al. The Relationship Between Food Craving, Appetite-Related Hormones and Clinical Parameters in Bipolar Disorder. Nutrients. 2021;13(1):76. doi:10.3390/nu13010076
To be considered with caution – added for completeness. These disorders have been listed together due to the fact they are highly co-morbid which may be an important consideration for treatment. See media links for examples of clinicians using a reduced carbohydrate approach for disordered eating.
Pre-clinical and Ongoing Trials
Due to the therapeutic effect of carbohydrate restriction, medical supervision is advised when adopting this approach – reflected in the following article: Ede G (Author), Scher B (Medical review) Low Carb and Mental Health: Getting Started & Managing Medications. Diet Doctor.
The following section highlights the potential of medications to cause metabolic syndrome and weight gain. The therapeutic application of carbohydrate restriction may also have a role in this setting.
Food Addiction is an emerging and complicated area of interest that may be part of the clinical picture for some patients. The following papers reflect the main points of discussion and support the concept that food addiction may be a ‘valid phenotype of obesity’ and ‘should be incorporated into the spectrum of disordered eating’.
For additional articles on appetite suppression see Time Restricted Feeding
This section should be considered as emergent in terms of the evidence and the role of diet as supportive.
Case Reports
This section is intended to reflect the general lack of consensus (especially with regard to fibre) regarding best management of various gastrointestinal disorders and supports individual tailoring through elimination protocols. Common themes include whole foods, reduced carbohydrate, FODMAP and low/no/high fibre.
There are a number of conditions that may be classified as having an autoimmune component. Many of these can be found in other sections e.g for Rheumatoid Arthritis see Pain/Inflammation – Arthritis, for Crohn’s disease see Gastrointestinal etc. The studies below don’t fit neatly into other categories or are too small for their own section.
There are a number of conditions that may be classified as having an endocrine component. Many of these can be found in other sections. The studies below don’t fit neatly into other categories or are too small for their own section.
For more articles on bone health as pertains to menopause, see the section under reproductive health and menopause.
Updated 01 October 2022
© 2020 The Nutrition Network. All rights reserved.
Latest Update: 01 March 2023