Chris Palmer, M.D

Chris Palmer, MD received his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine. His internship and psychiatry residency were at McLean Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School. He’s currently the Director of the Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education at McLean Hospital. In addition, he is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

For over 20 years, his clinical practice has focused on treatment-resistant cases of a wide variety of diagnostic categories, including psychotic disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders. His treatment approach has been comprehensive and has included medications, psychotherapy, and complementary and alternative treatments. However, he has always been looking for better treatments and outcomes. Unfortunately, far too many people do not get better with our current approaches.

His experience with low-carbohydrate diets and mental Illness

Dr. Palmer has been using the low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets in practice for over 15 years now mostly for weight loss. Recently, he has found an anti-psychotic and mood stabilizing effect from specific types of the ketogenic diet. Now he is pursuing clinical research in this area to better understand its application in psychiatry. As a result, he has also been speaking at national and international conferences on this topic. In addition, he is also consulting to patients from around the world.

Most importantly, he is working at the interface of metabolic and mental illnesses. He hopes this work will lead to a better understanding of what causes mental illness, and also lead to the development of more effective treatments. Finally, he is also a passionate advocate for people suffering from these sometimes debilitating disorders.

Education & Training

Degrees:

• 1991 BS, Purdue University
• 1995 MD, Washington University, St. Louis

Residency:

• 1995-1999 Internship and Residency in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital

Board Certifications:

• 2000 Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Recent Articles by Chris Palmer, MD

Clinical Approach

Chris Palmer is a practicing psychiatrist with expertise in treatment-resistant cases across a broad spectrum of diagnoses. All too often, people have more than one diagnosis, so focusing specifically on one set of symptoms is often fraught with limitations. He has extensive experience with psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and complementary and alternative treatments.

When it comes to using the ketogenic diet in the treatment of psychiatric conditions, Dr. Palmer supports comprehensive and coordinated treatment by a multidisciplinary team, grounded in medical science. It is not just about food. This treatment incorporates medications, medical monitoring, diet, and support.

Elements of Dr. Palmer’s treatment approach include:

• Medical consultation and evidence-based recommendations
• Medical management and oversight, including:
  • Appropriate laboratory values, weight, regular glucose and ketone levels
  • Symptom rating scales and periodic evaluations
  • Management of adverse effects
  • Medication monitoring and adjustments
• Dietician
• Meal planning
• Education
• Coaching
• Fitness training (when desired)
• Meal preparation and delivery service (when desired)

As a consultant, he coordinates this multidisciplinary effort and works in conjunction with patients and their families, the treatment team, and other medical professionals.

Chris Palmer, MD’s Location

My practice is located at McLean Hospital – 115 Mill St, Belmont, MA 02478. Phone: 617-855-2180

UNFORTUNATELY, I AM NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS AS MY PRACTICE IS FILLED.

Disclosures

I have no relevant financial interests with any ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education) defined commercial interests related to the content of this website.

I do have a medical practice that specializes in using the ketogenic diet.

THE INTERVENTIONS USED IN THIS PROGRAM ARE FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. WHILE APPLICATION OF THESE INTERVENTIONS IS ENCOURAGED, OTHER FACTORS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE OUTCOMES WHEN APPLIED IN CLINICAL PRACTICE.