Could a High-Fat diet help treat anorexia?
NCT ID NCT06605027
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 04, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study will test whether a therapeutic ketogenic diet (high fat, low carb) can safely help people with anorexia nervosa reduce their fear of weight gain and improve eating behaviors. About 120 people aged 16 to 45 in a partial hospital program will either follow the ketogenic diet or receive standard care for 14 weeks. Researchers will track weight, side effects, and eating disorder symptoms to see if the diet is tolerable and effective.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- therapeutic ketogenic diet
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new dietary approach to help manage anorexia nervosa symptoms and improve treatment outcomes.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early, open-label study with no blinding, so results may be biased. The diet may be hard to maintain and could cause side effects like weight fluctuations or nutrient imbalances.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Expected to start
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Jan 2027
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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16 to 45 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form/parental permission form 2. Provision of signed and dated assent form if the subject is a minor 3. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study 4. Persons, aged 16 to 45 years 5. Current anorexia nervosa diagnosis according to DSM-5 criteria 6. An elevated EDE-Q global score of 2.09 or greater 7. The following types of psychiatric medications are allowed: antidepressant, anxiolytic, atypical antipsychotic, mood stabilizers 8. English is primary spoken language Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnancy or lactation 2. Electrolyte, blood count, kidney function or liver function abnormalities 3. Psychosis 4. Neurocognitive disorders including dementias or traumatic brain injury that is symptomatic 5. Current alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD) according to DSM-5 criteria 6. Uncontrolled hypertension 7. Hepatic impairment (Class-Pugh b or c) 8. Diabetes mellitus 9. Family history of porphyria 10. History of recent heart attack, vascular disease, or any other current acute medical conditions as determined by the principal investigator 11. Inability or unwillingness to adhere to the TKD diet for the duration of the study 12. Blind or illiterate individuals
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of California San Diego
San Diego, California, 92121, United States
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