Desperate for answers, Matt’s parents — Roblox co-founder David Baszucki and novelist Jan Ellison — turned to Dr. Chris Palmer, a Harvard psychiatrist researching the link between metabolism and mental health.

Palmer, author of “Brain Energy” and director of the Metabolic and Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital, recommended the ketogenic diet, a low-carbohydrate, high-fat eating plan historically used to treat epilepsy.

Initially, Matt’s symptoms worsened on the diet, but under Palmer’s guidance, his condition gradually improved.

Harvard Prof. Chris Palmer has researched and advocated for treating mental illness with a keto-like diet.

Eventually, his bipolar symptoms went into full remission. Today, nearly three years later, Matt remains symptom-free while requiring less and less medication.

“Matt’s story is not unusual,” Palmer explained to me via email. “Despite receiving the best care available, he continued to suffer. [But] metabolic treatments hold the potential to improve the lives of millions of people.”