Some studies suggest that what we eat and drink can affect how we feel. But it can be difficult to know what to eat, especially when healthier foods can be more expensive. And it can be hard to think about our diet when we're struggling with our mental wellbeing.

As a nutritional therapist, I believe that eating should be pleasurable, and what we eat should provide us with the building blocks for good health.

Mikhaila Peterson spoke with Dr. Chris Palmer. Dr. Palmer has worked in psychiatry for over 23 years and currently serves as an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He just released a new book “Brain Energy” which outlines the role of ketogenic diets as an effective treatment for mood disorders.

We discussed his background and experience with conventional psychiatry as well as the effectiveness of diet, specifically a ketogenic or low-carb diet, for treating the symptoms of mood disorders and their root causes.

The Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry is working at the interface of mental and physical health by looking at how metabolism affects bipolar and other conditions. Home of the ketogenic diet for bipolar trial.