Key Takeaways

A ketogenic diet protected young rats from social and emotional problems caused by prenatal stress

Only 22% of males and 12% of females on the diet showed stress-related issues, compared to half on a normal diet

Researchers say the results show how diet could influence brain development early in life

TUESDAY, Oct. 14, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic "keto" diet may help protect young animals from the lasting effects of stress experienced before birth, new research suggests.

The findings, presented Sunday at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) conference in Amsterdam, add to growing evidence that diet could play a powerful role in shaping brain health.

Studies in animals often yield different results in people, however.

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