Disclaimer The content of this website is provided by the Lifestyle Brain Interaction research group. It does not necessarily represent the views, strategy, or policies of Leiden University.
Professional guidance
Thank you for your interest in ketogenic interventions. Through my research work, I regularly receive requests for personal guidance or advice. Unfortunately, I am unable to provide this, given my role as a scientific researcher. What I can offer is an overview of professionals who are open to this approach, each from their own area of expertise. All of them are familiar with my work; you are welcome to mention my name when contacting them. Please note: I am not a party to the care relationship and cannot take responsibility for the quality or outcomes of the guidance provided. This list is intended for informational purposes only. This is a growing field. Below you will find mainly Dutch-speaking professionals and some international options. We plan to expand the overview in the future.
Registered Dietitians with Expertise in Ketogenic Therapy
These dietitians are legally registered allied healthcare professionals. They have the necessary scientific background, are qualified to request and interpret blood analyses, and take potential nutritional deficiencies into account.
Louis Schreel - Ketogenic dietitian with clinical specialization in metabolic therapy for psychiatric disorders. In his private practice, he provides ketogenic therapy for individuals with psychiatric conditions, with a particular focus on bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorders. He offers guidance exclusively online, both individually and in group settings, in Dutch, German, French, or English. He collaborates with psychiatrists in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. www.ketogenicmind.be
The Nourishing State (Noor Struik and team) - A team of registered dieticians, who are experienced in low-carbohydrate and ketogenic nutrition. They collaborate, among others, with a registered mental healthcare institution. www.thenourishingstate.nl
Neuropsychologists with Clinical and/or Research Expertise
These are university-trained psychologists with extensive experience in clinical practice, working as healthcare psychologists (GZ-psychologists) or neuropsychologists, with or without BIG registration.
Jolanda Snel, MSc - Neuropsychologist with expertise in autism, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia, and related conditions. PhD candidate at Leiden University, focusing on ketogenic therapy in autism and dementia. In her private practice, she also works with nutritional interventions and collaborates with registered dietitians. She additionally offers consultations for family members and other involved parties, independent of direct patient care. www.jolandasnel.nl
Bloom Psychologie - A registered mental healthcare institution that integrates ketogenic therapy into treatment trajectories in collaboration with nutritional scientists and dietitians from The Nourishing State (see above). Bloom is the first mental healthcare institution in the Netherlands specifically focused on girls and women, working from a female-specific and holistic perspective. www.bloompsychologie.nl
Erin Louise Bellamy, PhD - Registered psychologist (UK), clinically active in the field of metabolic psychiatry. Provides guidance in the application of ketogenic therapies to support mental health. English-speaking and available online. www.ikrt.org
Psychiatrists with Interest or Experience in Ketogenic Interventions
These psychiatrists are conventionally trained and legally registered (BIG-registered). The extent to which they apply ketogenic therapy varies; please inquire directly about their specific approach.
This type of guidance is intended as complementary support and cannot replace (para)medical care.
Liesbeth van Dijk - Certified in Integrative Medicine with multiple specializations, including metabolic psychiatry. Not registered as a dietitian or physician. Always works in collaboration with other professionals. flor.de.liz.keto@gmail.com
Sevi Rutgrink - Trained in ketogenic therapy, with extensive experience in practical guidance and motivational support during ketogenic diet implementation. Not registered as a dietitian or physician. Always works in collaboration with other professionals. www.sevirutgrink-ketocoaching.nl
Information on Ketogenic Therapy in Children
Charlie Foundation for Ketogenic Therapies - An international foundation providing extensive information on the use of ketogenic therapy in children with epilepsy and other neurological conditions. The foundation supports parents, healthcare professionals, and treatment teams. The website offers practical guidelines, recipes, and scientific background information. www.charliefoundation.org
Beth Zupec-Kania - Experienced clinical ketogenic dietitian with strong expertise in ketogenic therapy in children. www.bethzupeckania.com
Additional Information: Neurological Conditions
The overview above primarily focuses on personal guidance in the field of metabolic psychiatry (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, ASD, ADHD). However, ketogenic therapy is also applied in various neurological conditions, including epilepsy, migraine, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. Below are several relevant references; this section will be further expanded in the future.
Epilepsy and Narcolepsy
Ketogenic therapy has been an established treatment for medication-resistant epilepsy for decades. In the Netherlands, the following centers of expertise are active:
SEIN - Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland: www.sein.nl SEIN applies ketogenic therapy in epilepsy care and also experimentally investigates the use of ketogenic therapy in narcolepsy.
Erasmus MC - Sophia Children’s Hospital: www.erasmusmc.nl The ketogenic diet is offered as a treatment option for children with epilepsy through the Department of Pediatrics.
Broader Neurology
To the best of my knowledge, there is currently one center in the Netherlands that specifically focuses on a holistic approach to neurological conditions:
Wardell’s - This team of neurologists has experience with integrative approaches, including lifestyle interventions, for conditions such as migraine and Parkinson’s disease. They are also open to supporting individuals with other neurological conditions. One of the physicians is additionally specialized in rheumatology. www.wardells.nl
Dementia
Ketogenic therapy in dementia is a widely discussed and actively researched topic in the scientific literature. In the Netherlands, clinical guidance in this area is still limited, and a considerable amount of misinformation circulates.
Dr. Mary T. Newport is an important international source of accessible knowledge. She is a retired physician and author of several books on ketogenic therapy in neurodegenerative diseases. More information can be found at: www.coconutketones.com (also reachable by email)
Disclaimer
This overview is intended for informational purposes only. I am not personally involved in any of the listed care trajectories and do not accept responsibility for the content or outcomes of the guidance provided. I strongly advise discussing all healthcare-related decisions thoroughly with your treating physician or other qualified healthcare professionals. Detailed information about our scientific research and ongoing studies can be found in the Research and Ongoing Studies sections of this website. Updates on ongoing studies, publications, and research-related insights are shared via Instagram: @lbi.research
Practical Information
Research into ketogenic interventions is promising. For some individuals, the effects can be life-changing. But it doesn't work for everyone, and we currently cannot predict who will benefit and who won’t. There is no one-size-fits-all protocol. Personalization is essential. Still, I’ve included some general information below. I receive questions about “what to do” almost daily, and I as a scientist I am not allowed to give personal advice. Important note: This is not medical advice. Please always consult a registered dietitian and your GP before starting any intervention.
Disclaimer The content of this website is provided by the Lifestyle Brain Interaction research group. It does not necessarily represent the views, strategy, or policies of Leiden University.
