Could a High-Fat diet tame bipolar mood swings in teens?

NCT ID NCT06920940

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a 16-week ketogenic diet (low carbs, high fat, medium protein) can help teens aged 12–21 with bipolar disorder. Eighty participants will receive the diet plus standard medication, with coaching from dietitians and monthly checkups. Researchers will track mood, metabolism, and how well teens stick with the diet.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

ketogenic diet

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a dietary approach to help manage bipolar symptoms in teens alongside standard medication.

What could go wrong

This is an early, small pilot study (80 teens) testing feasibility, not a proven treatment. The strict diet may be hard to follow, and results may not apply to all teens with bipolar disorder.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bipolar disorder bipolar I disorder bipolar II disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • UCLA Semel Institute Max Gray Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Program (CHAMP)

    RECRUITING

    Los Angeles, California, 90024, United States

    Contact

    Contact

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    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

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    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

    RECRUITING

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

    Contact

  • University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States

    Contact

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••