What is KetoMind?

How does the KetoMind programme work?

The KetoMind programme is a holistic programme, monitoring and supporting physical and mental health parameters when patients embark upon and sustain a ketogenic diet. Learn more about how ketogenic diets work here.

The first step to enrol on the KetoMind programme is to have an initial appointment with the KetoMind Practitioner. To express your interest in the programme, please email, phone or use the WhatsApp details above to contact our programme coordinator to schedule this. 

Prior to the first appointment, all relevant psychiatric and medical history should be provided so that the KetoMind Practitioner can carry out their assessment. During your one hour appointment, they will assess your eligibility for the programme and check there are no contraindications to the diet. If you are not eligible at this time, they will discuss with you the steps you can take to prepare for the programme in the near future. 

If eligible, they will run through your medical history and make sure that you have everything you need to get started with the programme including blood test results and ketone monitoring equipment, as well as a ketone level monitoring plan. With your consent, they will update your GP, contact your psychiatrist to inform them of you starting the programme, and complete some further documentation with you. They will answer your questions about the programme and will set expectations about the journey ahead. You will then schedule check-in appointments each week for the first month to support you during the dietary initiation. This is important as it is possible you may experience more psychiatric symptoms during this time. 

Once your blood tests have returned, our Consultant Psychiatrist will assess your mental and physical health so that we can take into account your current symptoms, needs and preferences before the Dietitian provides you with a bespoke dietary programme. During the programme, your Consultant Psychiatrist and Dietitian will closely monitor your mental and physical health and your KetoMind Practitioner will provide you with ongoing guidance, accountability and support through regular consultations.

To support the programme, we work in collaboration with leading companies in the field of Metabolic Psychiatry to help simplify your therapeutic ketogenic lifestyle:

• Keto-Mojo 
• Acetrack 
• Natural Ketosis Company

How do I know if KetoMind is suitable for me?

We do not recommend or prescribe the widespread use of ketogenic diets to treat all psychiatric disorders as the evidence is currently still limited. If conventional treatments (e.g. medication, therapy) have not been effective or are causing you significant side effects such as metabolic syndrome, we will support you through the KetoMind programme. 

It is important to understand that research shows that ketogenic diets may improve specific symptoms within conditions rather than being a ‘magic-bullet’ or ‘cure-all’ for the disorder itself. The most effective approach is to combine dietary changes with standard treatment for the best chance of success. KetoMind has been designed as an optional dietary intervention added to standard treatment.

Learn more about research on ketogenic diets for mental health conditions.

How is KetoMind different from a standard ketogenic diet?

If you have been diagnosed with a psychiatric condition, we would advise that you don’t start a ketogenic diet without specialist psychiatric monitoring. We designed the KetoMind programme to support the safe use of ketogenic diets for patients with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, psychosis, depression, bipolar, and anxiety. 

This is because some people may experience a temporary worsening of symptoms or a hypo-manic reaction in the first few weeks and others may experience transient but uncomfortable side effects when switching to this way of eating. Input and support from your psychiatrist and the KetoMind team is essential at this time to make sure that you are safe and that the side effects are monitored and prevented where possible.

Why do I need a Dietitian?

While the concept of nutritional ketosis may seem simple, everyone’s metabolism is different, and there is no guaranteed threshold or formula for how to achieve therapeutic levels of ketosis. This is why a specialist Dietitian is part of the KetoMind team. 

Some people may only require slight modifications to their foods to achieve ketosis, while others may require considerable changes to their diet. Significant dietary changes can dramatically influence your mood, energy levels and overall health, regardless of whether you are in ketosis. Monitoring your ketone levels in association with changes in your mental and physical health is crucial to determine what level of ketosis is most beneficial for your condition and lifestyle. 

Additionally, the restrictive nature of ketogenic diets means that they are associated with an increased risk of nutritional deficiencies and digestive issues, which can be avoided with the support of a Dietitian. The specialist Dietitian designs a bespoke ketogenic diet based on your nutritional needs and food preferences.

Why do I need to see a Psychiatrist when I already have one?

If you already have a Psychiatrist we would prefer that you continue working with them alongside the KetoMind programme. This is because they are responsible for your ongoing care in the community and you likely have a good relationship with them. We will work collaboratively with your Psychiatrist and mental health team to offer you the most support. 

The Consultant Psychiatrist you see at the London Psychiatry Clinic will carry out an initial psychiatry assessment with you and will monitor your symptom severity over the course of the KetoMind programme. If you are taking any medication and changes are needed, we will work alongside your Psychiatrist or GP and communicate with them regularly, with your consent. We will also ask you for permission to write to your GP to keep them informed of your care and to communicate with us if appropriate. 

Why do I need a KetoMind Practitioner? 

Starting a ketogenic diet requires a lifestyle overhaul for most people and this can feel like an overwhelming task, especially if those around you are not supportive. Our specialist KetoMind Practitioner will help you get started with the programme and will support you during this transition period. They will track your ketone levels remotely and check in with you when necessary to make any adjustments.

They are there to guide you through each step of the programme helping you to overcome lifestyle obstacles, and providing you with personalised guidance, education and accountability. With their regular support you will learn how to implement Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy into your life, and maintain it as a lifestyle.

How much does KetoMind cost?

Monitoring both your mental and physical health closely during treatment is crucial, which means you will need regular check-ups with the Psychiatrist, specialist Dietitian and KetoMind Practitioner. 

There are no administrative or subscription fees attached to the KetoMind programme. You pay for the time you spend with the specialists. 

• First appointment with the KetoMind Practitioner - £195 per hour
• First assessment with the Psychiatrist - £595 per hour
• First assessment with the Dietitian - £250 per hour

• Ongoing appointments with the Dietitian - £250 per hour or £125 or 30 minutes. Generally, one appointment every week is recommended in the first month to implement the diet and then less often for the duration of the programme. This will be agreed in your first appointment with the Dietitian.
• Ongoing appointments with the KetoMind Practitioner - £195 per hour or £100 for 30 minutes. Generally one appointment per week is advised in the first month and then every two weeks for the duration of the programme. This will be agreed in your first appointment with the KetoMind Practitioner.

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Are there any Additional costs? 

We will suggest you have a blood test at the beginning of the programme. You can source this privately and the cost is approximately £338. We also recommend you purchase a ketone meter to track your ketone levels which are approximately £50.

How often should I see the KetoMind team?

If you are new to the ketogenic diet, we recommend appointments with the Dietitian and KetoMind Practitioner every week until you are comfortable with the diet and you are able to maintain your ketone levels within your set range. For most people, this takes about a month. 

During your appointments with the Dietitian, you will review and adjust your nutrition intake for your ideal ketone levels and nutritional requirements. During your appointments with the KetoMind Practitioner, you will discuss how you are progressing, how to manage side effects, and how to overcome any lifestyle obstacles you may be facing. 

After the first month, or once you are comfortable with the diet and able to maintain your ketone levels within range, you can arrange appointments with the Dietitian and Practitioner in the KetoMind team for every two weeks. This is what we have found to be most helpful for those on the programme as it encourages you to become more independent with the lifestyle yet still provides a safety net and valuable support. For best results and to give the treatment the greatest chance of being effective, we recommend that you follow the KetoMind programme for at least three months (12 weeks). Support after the programme is also available. 

Meet the KetoMind team

At the London Psychiatry Clinic we have created a team of fully trained and experienced clinicians and researchers who will be in charge of your care.

KetoMind Metabolic Health Practitioner: Erin Louise Bellamy PhD

Registered Dietitian: Sascha Landskron MSc

Consultant Psychiatrist: Dr Dinesh Kumar

How long does it take to see results?

It is important to emphasise that we cannot claim how effective a ketogenic diet will be for any particular person with a mental health condition. From existing research, we know that most people tend to benefit from a ketogenic diet a few weeks after starting.

We advise that people usually need to engage in the KetoMind programme for at least 12 weeks to determine whether their mental health has benefitted from a ketogenic diet. Although it only takes a few days to achieve a state of ketosis after starting the diet, it may take several weeks or months before this has a noticeable effect on your condition or symptoms. 

What if I want to continue after 12 weeks? 

At the end of the 12 weeks, you will review your progress with the KetoMind Practitioner and decide on the next steps. If you have experienced positive results and plan to continue the programme, ongoing support is available and you can see the KetoMind team as and when you require. 

If you would like to continue the diet outside of London Psychiatry Clinic, we advise you to regularly follow up with a registered Dietitian and experienced Ketogenic practitioner to ensure that you don’t develop any nutritional deficiencies or adverse side effects over time.

What if KetoMind doesn't work for me? 

If you have been following the diet for several weeks without noticing any improvement in your symptoms, we will suggest increasing your level of ketosis naturally through adjustments to your diet programme in communication with the Dietitian and KetoMind Practitioner.

If you have been on a ketogenic diet for 12 weeks, without experiencing any significant benefit in terms of your mental health, you are unlikely to benefit from the diet and may not need to continue it. However, if you wish to continue with the diet due to experiencing other positive effects such as weight loss, increased energy or an improvement in metabolic health or other symptoms, we recommend that this is done with ongoing supervision from an registered Dietitian and an experienced Ketogenic practitioner. 

At the London Psychiatry Clinic, we take a comprehensive approach to mental health problems. If a ketogenic way of eating is not for you, we can still help you. You can speak with your existing Psychiatrist or one of the Psychiatrists at the London Psychiatry Clinic to discuss other options available to you.