A revolutionary study published in BJPsych Open has revealed compelling evidence that a ketogenic diet can have a major impact on mental and physical well-being in bipolar disorder patients. The study, conducted by Dr. Iain Campbell, PhD, Baszucki Metabolic Psychiatry Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, investigates how a metabolic-based intervention might represent an exciting new strategy for treating this serious mental illness.

The research is the first in Europe to use neuroimaging methods, namely magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), to investigate changes in brain metabolism in people with bipolar disorder after a ketogenic diet. The imaging findings revealed decreases in excitatory neurotransmitters, which are normally increased in bipolar disorder. This indicates that the ketogenic diet can stabilize brain activity, possibly reducing mood swings and other symptoms of the condition.

The trial involved 27 participants diagnosed with bipolar disorder, 20 of whom successfully completed the 6-8 week program. A staggering 91% of these individuals maintained ketosis, the metabolic state where the body primarily burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. Those who provided consistent daily ketone and mental health assessments reported notable improvements in mood, energy levels, anxiety, and impulsivity.

Dr. Campbell, who personally adheres to a ketogenic diet himself in order to treat symptoms of bipolar disorder, discussed the importance of these results:

"We saw indicators of diminished excitotoxicity in the brain regions most implicated in bipolar disorder. These findings are consistent with the metabolic overdrive hypothesis that postulates energy dysregulation within the brain as central to the disorder. Treating the dysregulation by means of a ketogenic diet could be a game-changer in treatment-resistant patients.

Aside from the scientific evidence, personal accounts of study participants underscore the life-altering effect of a ketogenic diet.

"Quite literally, for the first time in years, I felt like my brain was finally fueled correctly," explained a participant.

Another participant called the diet "a lifeline, restoring my energy and sense of hope. I felt like I was finally healing my mind, not just coping with my bipolar symptoms."

One of the very vivid accounts described the impact of ketosis in terms of a relaxing mental atmosphere:

"Applying a ketogenic diet is akin to giving my mind a nice warm bath. The edginess disappears. I am more calm, more clear, and my brain function is restored again."

Aside from the psychological benefits of the study, the ketogenic diet was also seen to have beneficial effects on participants' physical health. Nineteen out of the 20 trial completers lost a total of 9.3 pounds (4.2 kg) on average and showed improvements in body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure.

These results are noteworthy in that numerous treatments for bipolar disorder, such as mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications, have been linked to metabolic side effects of weight gain and risk of cardiovascular disease. In contributing to the reduction of such risks, a ketogenic diet may provide a double dividend for patients with bipolar disorder.

Link Between Metabolism and Bipolar Disorder

Although the ketogenic diet has previously been known largely for its utility in treating epilepsy that is treatment-resistant, it is a somewhat new area to explore in conditions of psychiatry such as in bipolar disorder. It has come to be known that metabolic imbalance is an underlying factor in causing psychiatric disorders as energy production deficiencies have been recognized to contribute towards neural excitability and mood disruption.

One of the important findings of the study is that people with bipolar disorder tend to have sodium levels higher than usual within their cells. Lithium, a standard mood stabilizer, acts partly by reducing these sodium levels. The ketogenic diet seems to do the same thing, offering a metabolic explanation for its beneficial effect on mood stabilization.

What Is a Ketogenic Diet?

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet that changes the body's main source of energy from glucose to ketones. As carbohydrate consumption is significantly decreased, the liver breaks down fats into ketones, which can be used as a substitute fuel by the brain and body.

First developed in the 1920s as a therapy for epilepsy, the ketogenic diet has been researched for its therapeutic applications in a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and most recently, bipolar disorder.

There's a critical need for bigger replication studies and well-designed randomized clinical trials to follow up on these findings," added Dr. Campbell. "Our findings indicate that a ketogenic diet may be a useful adjunctive treatment for bipolar disorder, bringing new promise to patients who have difficulty with standard therapies.

Have you been drinking milk all your life and suddenly your gut cannot tolerate it? Are you also finding out that you are suddenly lactose intolerant, and trying to find the reason? Nutritionist Sonia Narang might have the answer.

In a podcast with Raj Shamani, Narang decodes Indian diet and its benefits and risks, if not consumed correctly. This is when Raj Shamani throws the question of lactose intolerance, especially when someone like him has been drinking milk since childhood and can no longer tolerate it.

Also Read: Fact Check: Is Weight Lifting Safe for Teens? An Expert Explains the Risks and Safer Alternatives

What Does The Expert Say About Sudden Lactose Intolerance?

Narang first explains what lactose is and how it works in one's body. She starts with explaining lactase, which is a sugar found in milk, and digested by lactase, an enzyme found in small intestine.

She then explains that in small intestine, there are brush like formations, called villi, which further have smaller brush called microvilli. This is where lactase is made. This is what helps the breakdown of lactose.

However, she explains, overtime, whether due to age, or infection, lifestyle, bad food choices, the ability of microvilli to produce lactase decreases. She points out that as kids, the production of lactase is enough, due to less exposure to bad food choices.

Can You Reverse Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is not an allergy. There are ways to manage or improve lactose intolerance. Narang says that the first step is to eliminate milk completely, and then start with having curd as alternative. "While curd is a dairy product, it already has bacteria that makes it pre-digested," she points out.

She also recommends to slowly introduce milk, "just two spoons between the meals". Since milk is consumed with food, it will digest slowly and by the time it reaches the intestine, small intestine will get the time to produce enough amounts of lactase to digest two spoons of milk, she points out.

Read: 5 Cow’s Milk Substitutes—And What To Look For Before You Buy

What Is Lactose Intolerance?

As per the NHS, UK, lactose intolerance is when you get symptoms like stomach ache after eating food containing lactose, a sugar found in dairy products.

What Are The Common Symptoms Of Lactose Intolerance?

• tummy pain or discomfort
• bloating
• farting
• tummy rumbling
• diarrhea or constipation
• feeling sick or being sick

What Foods Contain Lactose?

Dairy products include:

• milk
• butter
• cheese
• cream
• yoghurt
• ice cream

Many processed foods can also contain lactose, including:

• cereals
• baked foods like bread, crackers, cakes, biscuits, and pastry
• sauces and salad dressings
• diet and protein shakes

Note: Health and Me does not promote any changes to be made in your diet. Always consult your nutritionist or dietitian and your doctor before changing your diet. This piece is based on publicly available content.

Chia seeds, a superfood as we all know and have a number of benefits, however, if not taken properly, it can increase risks and could worsen your health, says Dr Shubham Vatsya, a gastroenterologist, and hepatologist at Fortis Vasant Kunj. He is known for making health related content on his Instagram page, targeting foods and habits that impact gut health, liver, and more.

In one of the videos which garnered over one million views, he talks about the risk of chia seeds. The video is titled 'Chia Seeds Are Not For Everyone".

What Are The Risks Of Consuming Chia Seeds?

Dr Vatsya points out that if chia seeds are consumed without knowing how your body works and without proper hydration, it could worsen your health.

Talking about who should be more careful before making chia seeds part of their diets? He gives four instances:

People With Low Blood Pressure Should Avoid Chia Seeds

He says many people, especially many women have low blood pressure and they may have included chia seeds in their diet without knowing much about it. Why does this happen? Chia seeds contain quercetin, which is an antioxidant and it could reduce your risk of several health condition, including heart diseases. However, points out Dr Vatsya, it is high in fiber, which could further lower your blood pressure. If you already have a low blood pressure, this could cause you a health risk.

People Who Are On Blood Thinning Medicines Should Avoid Chia Seeds

Doctor says that people who are on blood thinning medicines like aspirin, especially after a heart stent, may be at risk. Why? Because chia seeds can have a blood thinning effect due to its omega-3 fatty acids content. This can increase bleeding risk. So, people on prescription blood thinners or anticoagulants like warfarin or aspirin, must avoid it.

Hydration Is Must

Chia seeds are high in fiber, which is why it is important to maintain enough hydration. What happens if you do not keep yourself hydrated enough?

Chia Seeds Could Upset Your Stomach

While getting enough fiber helps prevent and manage constipation, however, the doctor points out consuming significant amounts of fiber can cause digestive issues like gas, bloating, and abdominal pain, if not hydrated.

Hydration is the key, this is what supports bowel movement regularity and prevent any adverse effects. Furthermore, one should always add fiber to their diet in small amounts and gradually.

Read: Hair Loss In Men: Is It Related To Sweetened Drinks?

Chia Seeds Could Worsen Your Kidney Problem

Lastly, the doctor says that while chia seeds are healthy, but individuals with chronic kidney disease must be careful while consuming.

Chia seeds are rich in potassium and phosphorous. In per 2.5 tablespoon of serving, it contains 115 mg of potassium and 244 mg of phosphorous. Both these nutrients are closely monitored in people with kidney disease. Chia seeds are also high in oxalate, which can attach to calcium to form kidney stones. This is why it is important to maintain your hydration while consuming chia seeds.

Note: This is a user-generated content via Dr. Shubham Vatsya. Health and Me does not take responsibility of the content. Always consult a registered nutritionist or dietitian and your doctor before making changes to your diet.

Hair loss in men is often blamed on genetics, age, or stress. But as lifestyle-linked health problems grow, doctors are taking a closer look at everyday dietary habits, including the regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. While these drinks are not a direct cause of baldness, emerging evidence suggests they may quietly worsen hair loss in men who are already genetically predisposed.

“Hair loss is rarely caused by a single factor,” says Dr. Vineet Malhotra, Head of Urology and Director at VNA Hospital. “But excessive sugar intake can act as an important trigger, especially in men prone to androgenetic alopecia.”

How Sugary Drinks Disrupt Hormones Linked to Hair Loss

Sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas, packaged fruit juices, energy drinks, and sweetened teas cause a rapid spike in blood glucose levels. To manage this surge, the body releases insulin. When this happens repeatedly over time, it can lead to insulin resistance.

“Chronic insulin resistance is known to disturb hormonal balance,” explains Dr. Malhotra. “It can increase circulating androgens and speed up the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.”

DHT is the hormone most strongly associated with male pattern baldness. Higher levels of DHT cause hair follicles to shrink, shorten the hair growth cycle, and gradually turn thick hair into finer, weaker strands.

The Inflammation Link: Why the Scalp Suffers

High sugar intake is also closely tied to low-grade systemic inflammation. While this inflammation may not be immediately noticeable, it affects blood vessels throughout the body, including the tiny capillaries that supply oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles.

“When microcirculation is compromised, follicles do not receive adequate nourishment,” says Dr. Malhotra. “This can slow hair growth and increase hair shedding.”

Read: South Korean President Says Baldness Is The 'New Enemy'; Wants Insurance To Cover Hair Loss Treatment

Inflammation can also push hair follicles out of the growth phase and into the resting phase prematurely. The result is often diffuse thinning rather than patchy bald spots, something many men notice before visible hair loss becomes obvious.

Metabolic Health, Gut Health, and Nutrient Deficiencies

Frequent consumption of sugary drinks is linked to weight gain, fatty liver, and metabolic syndrome, all of which can disrupt hormonal balance. Poor metabolic health can alter cortisol levels and insulin-like growth factors, both of which influence how hair follicles function.

Equally important is what high-sugar diets tend to replace. “Men who consume a lot of sugary drinks often miss out on nutrient-dense foods,” Dr. Malhotra notes. This increases the risk of deficiencies in zinc, iron, biotin, protein, and other nutrients essential for healthy hair structure and growth.

What Studies Are Showing So Far

Recent observational studies have found a higher prevalence of early-onset hair loss in young men who consume sugar-sweetened beverages daily compared to those who drink them occasionally. While these studies do not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the association is strong enough to raise concern.

“The impact appears more pronounced in men with a family history of baldness,” says Dr. Malhotra. “In such cases, diet may accelerate hair loss rather than initiate it.”

Sugar Is Not the Only Culprit, But It Matters

It is important to note that sugary drinks alone do not cause hair loss. However, when combined with genetic susceptibility, high stress, poor sleep, smoking, and physical inactivity, excessive sugar intake can significantly worsen scalp health and hair thinning.

Reducing sugar-sweetened beverages, improving overall diet quality, maintaining stable blood sugar levels, and supporting metabolic health may help slow hair loss and promote healthier hair over time.

Why Doctors Are Now Asking About Diet

In clinical practice, men presenting with unexplained or rapidly worsening hair loss are increasingly being asked about their dietary habits, alongside hormonal and nutritional evaluations.

“Cutting back on sugar-sweetened drinks benefits the heart and metabolism,” Dr. Malhotra says. “But it may also offer long-term support for hair health, especially in men at risk of early hair loss.”

While genetics may set the stage, everyday choices often decide how quickly the story unfolds.