Advancing the Science of Lifestyle Intervention for Chronic Disease
The Fuller Research Foundation funds rigorous clinical research into environmental and lifestyle interventions for autoimmune conditions, metabolic disease, and mental illness.
Our Mission
Bridging Anecdote and Evidence
We fund high-quality, ethically conducted research to evaluate interventions that have shown remarkable promise but lack the rigorous clinical evidence needed to reach mainstream medicine.
Clinical Trials
We fund and support rigorous, IRB-approved randomized controlled trials—the gold standard of clinical evidence—evaluating ketogenic and carnivore dietary interventions for inflammatory, autoimmune, and psychiatric conditions.
View Current Trial →
Research Synthesis
We curate the growing body of published research on ketogenic and carnivore diets across mental illness, autoimmunity, and metabolic disease—making the science accessible to clinicians, patients, and policymakers.
Browse Studies →
Public Awareness
We track and share credible news coverage from leading institutions—Stanford Medicine, UCSF, NPR, and others—to keep the public and medical community informed of developments in this rapidly evolving field.
Latest News →
The Research Gap
Why This Work Is Urgent
Thousands of patients report life-changing remission through ketogenic and carnivore dietary approaches. Yet the formal clinical evidence—the kind that changes medical guidelines and informs prescribing—is severely underfunded and underproduced.
Without rigorous RCTs, these interventions cannot be recommended by physicians, reimbursed by insurers, or approved by ethics boards for wider study. The Fuller Research Foundation exists to close that gap.
~50M
Americans with Autoimmune DiseaseYet nearly zero large-scale RCTs examine dietary intervention as treatment for IBD or RA.
~12
Active Ketogenic Psychiatry Trials WorldwideInterest is surging, but trials remain small, underfunded, and difficult to replicate.
0
Large-Scale RCTs for Carnivore/Lion DietDespite thousands of documented remissions, no major controlled trial existed before our study.
Leadership & Advisors
Foundation Leadership & Advisors
Our work is guided by credentialed clinicians, researchers, and advocates with firsthand experience in metabolic and dietary medicine.
Mikhaila Fuller
Founder & CEO
Jordan Fuller
Co-Founder & COO
Victor Swift
Researcher — Data & AI
Dr. Robert Abbott
Lead Clinical Researcher
Active Study
Our Landmark Clinical Trial
Effectiveness and Efficacy of a Ketogenic or Carnivore (Lion) Diet for Quality of Life and Symptom Burden in Individuals with Symptomatic IBD or Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Study TypeRandomized Controlled Trial
Duration6 Months
Lead ResearcherDr. Robert Abbott, MD
EthicsIRB-Approved
This landmark trial addresses a critical evidence gap—no large-scale RCTs have previously examined ketogenic or carnivore diets for IBD or rheumatoid arthritis. Participants are followed over six months with regular clinical monitoring, laboratory assessments, and standardized outcome measures.
Every tax-deductible contribution goes directly toward funding researchers, laboratory work, and ethical, IRB-approved studies. Help bridge the gap to evidence-based alternatives.
About Us
A Foundation Built on Science, Urgency, and Personal Experience
The Fuller Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to rigorously advancing scientific knowledge of dietary and alternative interventions for the management of chronic diseases. The Foundation supports high-quality, ethically conducted research—primarily through funding and collaboration—to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of approaches such as strict ruminant-meat-based ketogenic elimination protocols, broader ketogenic diets, and related evidence-informed nutritional strategies.
We aim to empower individuals with effective, sustainable solutions for improving their health and well-being. Through collaboration with researchers, healthcare providers, and communities, we strive to illuminate pathways to better health, foster informed decision-making, and inspire hope for those facing chronic conditions.
Founder and Vision
The Fuller Research Foundation was established by Mikhaila Fuller, whose personal experience with severe, treatment-resistant chronic illnesses motivated a lifelong commitment to exploring dietary solutions and advocating for their scientific investigation. After spending 14 years navigating autoimmune disease and mood disorders that resisted conventional treatment, Mikhaila developed the Lion Diet—a ruminant-meat-based ketogenic elimination protocol—and experienced dramatic remission. Her mission since has been to build the rigorous evidence base that could make these interventions available to millions.
Research on ketogenic dietary therapy for mental disorders has expanded rapidly in recent years. In contrast, investigations into its application for autoimmune conditions remain notably limited and underdeveloped—though emerging preclinical and early clinical research shows increasing interest and preliminary positive signals.
The Evidence Landscape
Much of the current evidence in autoimmunity stems from animal models, where ketogenic diets have demonstrated reductions in inflammation, modulation of immune responses (such as shifting toward anti-inflammatory Treg cells), and symptom amelioration, often linked to ketone bodies like β-hydroxybutyrate.
In humans, small-scale pilot studies have explored ketogenic diets primarily in multiple sclerosis, reporting improvements in fatigue, depression, quality of life, and inflammatory markers with good safety and tolerability over periods like 6 months.
Large-scale, definitive randomized controlled trials across broader autoimmune diseases—lupus, Crohn's disease, IBD, or general autoimmunity—are scarce. High-quality, large-scale human trials are needed to establish efficacy, long-term safety, and mechanisms.
Our Commitment
The Fuller Research Foundation is dedicated to conducting and supporting research that is transparent, methodologically sound, and participant-centered. By partnering with qualified investigators, academic institutions, and healthcare professionals, the Foundation seeks to generate reliable evidence on the role of targeted dietary interventions in chronic disease management—contributing meaningfully to the broader scientific community's understanding and supporting informed clinical decision-making.
Our People
Founders, Researchers & Advisors
Team
The Fuller Research Foundation was built by people who have lived through serious illness and witnessed firsthand what dietary intervention can do. That experience informs everything we fund.
Mikhaila Fuller
Founder & CEO
Founder, Fuller Research Foundation
Mikhaila Fuller is a health advocate and entrepreneur whose personal recovery from treatment-resistant autoimmune and psychiatric disease—including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and severe depression—drives her mission to build rigorous scientific evidence for dietary medicine. In 2017 she developed the Lion Diet, a ruminant-meat-based elimination protocol, and experienced complete remission of symptoms that had defined her life since childhood. Her father, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, followed the same protocol in 2018 with similar results.
She founded the Fuller Research Foundation to translate that anecdotal evidence into peer-reviewed, IRB-approved science. She also co-founded Peterson Academy and serves as founder of Fuller Health.
Jordan Fuller
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Co-Founder, Fuller Research Foundation
Jordan Fuller is Co-Founder and COO of the Fuller Research Foundation, overseeing day-to-day operations, strategic partnerships, and the communications infrastructure connecting the Foundation's research mission with donors and the medical community.
Juan Quintero
Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff, Fuller Research Foundation
Juan Quintero serves as Chief of Staff at the Fuller Research Foundation, overseeing administrative operations and organizational coordination. With extensive experience in chief of staff and administrative leadership roles, he ensures the Foundation runs with the efficiency and accountability that rigorous scientific work demands.
Victor Swift
Researcher — Data Analytics & AI
Ph.D. Psychology, University of TorontoData Analytics & AI
Victor Swift brings expertise in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and clinical psychology to the Fuller Research Foundation. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Toronto, where he developed deep expertise in research methodology and statistical analysis. Victor applies his background in AI and data science to strengthen the Foundation's research infrastructure and analytical capabilities.
Dr. Robert Abbott, MD
Lead Clinical Researcher
MD, University of Virginia School of MedicineFunctional Medicine — Kresser InstituteFunctional Medicine — Institute for Functional MedicineFormer Director of Research, Ruscio Institute
Dr. Robert Abbott is an integrative physician and founder of Resilient Roots: Functional and Evolutionary Medicine in Charlottesville, Virginia. He holds an MD from the University of Virginia and completed advanced training through the Kresser Institute and the Institute for Functional Medicine.
A former clinician and director of research at the Ruscio Institute, his peer-reviewed work includes studies on dietary interventions for depression and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. He serves as lead researcher on the Foundation's current randomized controlled trial.
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, Ph.D.
Scientific Advisor
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, McGill UniversityProfessor Emeritus, University of TorontoFormer Faculty, Harvard University100+ Peer-Reviewed Publications
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson is a clinical psychologist, Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, and bestselling author of 12 Rules for Life and Beyond Order. He holds a Ph.D. from McGill University, conducted post-doctoral research there, and taught at Harvard before two decades at the University of Toronto—publishing over 100 peer-reviewed papers with students and colleagues.
Current Research
Active Clinical Trial
Effectiveness and Efficacy of a Ketogenic or Carnivore (Lion) Diet for Quality of Life and Symptom Burden in Individuals with Symptomatic Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial
160 Adults
6 Months
Dr. Robert Abbott, MD
IBD & Rheumatoid Arthritis
IRB-Approved
This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating whether two therapeutic dietary approaches—a ketogenic diet and a carnivore (Lion) diet—can improve quality of life, reduce symptoms, and influence measures of disease activity in adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is the largest study of its kind ever conducted on these dietary approaches for autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
Despite increasing interest in dietary interventions for chronic inflammatory conditions, there remains a significant evidence gap. The most substantial published data to date is a 2024 case series of 10 patients with IBD, all of whom achieved clinical remission using carnivore-ketogenic diets—but that study was small, uncontrolled, and observational. This trial provides the rigorous, peer-reviewable evidence needed to inform future clinical guidelines and treatment options for patients with these debilitating conditions.
Study Design
The trial enrolls 160 adults aged 18–64 with a confirmed diagnosis of IBD (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) or rheumatoid arthritis. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups:
Group 1 — Ketogenic Diet: A high-fat, very low-carbohydrate dietary protocol maintained for 3 months of active intervention.
Group 2 — Carnivore (Lion) Diet: A ruminant meat-based elimination protocol (beef, salt, water) maintained for 3 months of active intervention.
Group 3 — Control: Participants continue their current diet and are monitored for 3 months, providing a contemporaneous comparator.
All participants complete a 3-month baseline monitoring period before beginning their assigned intervention. Participants are followed over the full 6-month period with regular clinical monitoring, laboratory assessments, and standardized outcome measures to ensure scientific rigor and participant safety.
All aspects of the trial—including recruitment, consent processes, data collection, and monitoring—are conducted in strict compliance with IRB approval, federal regulations, and ethical guidelines to prioritize participant welfare and data integrity.
Primary & Secondary Outcomes
The primary goal of this study is to determine whether ketogenic or carnivore dietary therapy improves:
Health-related quality of life (validated disease-specific instruments)
Objective inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR, fecal calprotectin where applicable)
Secondary aims include assessing feasibility and adherence, safety (adverse events, nutritional status, cardiometabolic changes including blood lipids and metabolic panels), and whether sustained nutritional ketosis (measured via blood ketone monitoring) correlates with clinical outcomes.
What Participation Involves
After completing the eligibility application and being confirmed as a participant, enrolled individuals can expect:
Detailed onboarding, dietary guidance, and informed consent process
Random assignment to a dietary intervention or control group
6 months following your assigned dietary protocol with full research team support
Periodic labs throughout the study
Regular check-ins with the research team via telehealth
Completion of validated symptom and quality-of-life questionnaires at defined intervals
A group participants can join for support
Dietary logging and ketone monitoring
The study is conducted remotely, so participants across the United States are eligible to enroll. Lab work is coordinated through partner facilities. There is a one-time $200 enrollment fee to partially cover lab testing. All other laboratory testing, clinical monitoring, administration and ongoing research support throughout the study are fully covered by the Foundation.
Research Ethics & Institutional Oversight
Approved — Full Board Review
HIPAA-Compliant
Randomized Controlled
Resilient Roots Functional Medicine
Required of All Participants
Peer-Reviewed Journal
The Fuller Research Foundation is committed to the highest standards of research ethics. All studies funded or conducted by the Foundation are subject to institutional review board oversight, participant informed consent, and HIPAA-compliant data handling. Conflicts of interest are disclosed in all publications. We publish results whether or not they confirm our hypotheses.
Eligibility & How to Apply
You may be eligible to participate if you meet all of the following criteria:
Age 18–64
Formal medical diagnosis of IBD (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) or rheumatoid arthritis, with documentation
No prior experience with ketogenic or carnivore diets
Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Residing in the United States (required for laboratory coordination)
Willing to adhere to the assigned dietary protocol for 3–6 months depending on randomization
There is a one-time $200 enrollment fee to cover intake processing and administration. All laboratory testing, monitoring, and clinical assessments throughout the study are fully covered by the Foundation. All prospective participants receive complete information about procedures, potential risks and benefits, and their rights before providing informed consent.
All personal health information collected is handled in accordance with our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, which outlines how protected health information is used, disclosed, and safeguarded.
Scientific interest in ketogenic diets has expanded rapidly in recent years. Long established for intractable epilepsy since the 1920s, the field now sees over 600 publications annually on PubMed, driven by clinical trials, meta-analyses, and reviews exploring broader applications.
This growth is vital for people with chronic conditions—obesity, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and neurological or psychiatric issues—where standard treatments often fall short. The Fuller Research Foundation is dedicated to supporting transparent, high-quality research to close evidence gaps. Dietary interventions should always be undertaken under medical supervision.
Published in Frontiers in Nutrition. A modified Delphi method with 47 expert clinicians reached 100% consensus on 33 statements regarding ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) for major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Defines KMT, provides guidance on patient selection, monitoring, supplementation, and contraindications.
Reviews ketogenic and related metabolic therapies for neuropsychiatric conditions, emphasizing brain metabolism shifts and the therapeutic potential of nutritional ketosis.
Case series of three patients with OCD achieving symptom improvement or remission via ketogenic diet intervention. Average Y-BOCS scores reduced by 21 points (90.5% mean decrease); all three achieved medication-free remission.
Research showing that ketogenic diets may suppress colorectal cancer progression via gut microbiome-mediated effects involving stearate, a long-chain fatty acid. Published in Nature Communications.
Proposes a framework for clinical research on ketogenic metabolic therapy as a treatment for glioblastoma (brain cancer), focusing on metabolic vulnerabilities of tumor cells.
Ten patients with IBD (6 ulcerative colitis, 4 Crohn's disease) achieved remission or major symptom improvement using ketogenic carnivore-style diets. Patients reported high satisfaction and potential biological mechanisms supporting this approach for IBD management.
Protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 100 patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder. Tests a 14-week dietitian-supervised modified ketogenic diet versus standard healthy eating control.
Three adults with major depression and generalized anxiety disorder treated with personalized animal-based ketogenic metabolic therapy. All achieved complete remission within 7–12 weeks, alongside weight loss (10.9–14.8%) and metabolic improvements.
Three patients with severe, treatment-refractory anorexia nervosa (BMI nadirs as low as 10.7 kg/m²) achieved sustained remission (1–5 years). Weight gain >20 kg each, reduced anxiety, and improved mental well-being. First reported use of a unimodal ketogenic intervention for anorexia.
Acute cognitive improvements in a patient with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease following ketogenic diet implementation, suggesting neuroprotective effects via ketosis.
Long-term case report of a patient successfully managing recurrent Candida vulvovaginitis and vaginal hidradenitis suppurativa with an all-meat ketogenic diet.
Large survey of 2029 adults following a carnivore diet for a median of 14 months. 95% reported improvements in overall health; few adverse effects; BMI reduction and benefits for diabetes.
Patient with recurrent high-grade CIN achieved complete cessation after adopting a paleolithic ketogenic diet. Follow-up Pap smears normalized within months; sustained normal results over 26 months.
Discussion on whether dietary interventions including ketogenic diets or fasting can function as psychopharmacologic treatments for psychiatric disorders.
Help Fund the Next Wave of Studies
Most nutritional studies in these areas remain small or underfunded. Your support helps accelerate the rigorous trials that could validate these approaches for doctors, patients, and policymakers worldwide.
University article on keto boosting anti-inflammatory compounds via gut microbes, reducing MS-like symptoms in models, with potential for human autoimmune conditions.
Discusses how ketogenic therapy reduces brain inflammation linked to depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar; highlights pilot improvements and ongoing larger trials.
Patient anecdotes and research on keto alleviating bipolar, schizophrenia, and depression symptoms; notes approximately 12 ongoing clinical trials worldwide.
Covers small studies and case reports where keto reduced inflammation and improved schizophrenia symptoms, including long-term remission in one case.
Support Our Work
Fund the Future of Dietary Medicine
100%Goes to Research
501(c)(3)Tax-Deductible
IRBApproved Studies
Why Your Gift Matters
Nutritional research is chronically underfunded. Unlike pharmaceutical trials backed by industry, dietary intervention studies must rely on grants and philanthropic support. Every dollar you give directly accelerates the evidence needed to bring these approaches into mainstream medicine.
The Fuller Research Foundation operates with a commitment to full financial transparency. Donations fund researcher compensation, laboratory testing, participant monitoring, and trial infrastructure—not overhead.
$25
Participant SupportCovers postage, lab requisition forms, and intake materials for one study participant.
$50
Dietary AssessmentFunds a validated dietary assessment questionnaire and scoring for one participant.
$100
Weekly MonitoringCovers one week of participant symptom tracking, check-ins, and data processing.
$250
Laboratory PanelFunds a complete blood panel—inflammatory markers, metabolic indicators, lipids—for one participant.
$500
Full Participant ScreeningCovers the complete initial screening and enrollment costs for one study participant.
$1,000
Monthly Clinical MonitoringSponsors a full month of clinical oversight, lab work, and follow-up for one participant.
Our Transparency Commitment
The Fuller Research Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We publish our research findings whether or not they confirm our hypotheses. Financial records are available upon request.
All studies are independently reviewed by an institutional review board (IRB). No conflicts of interest are concealed. We are committed to open science and responsible research practice.
EIN: [Available upon request] · Incorporated in Wyoming
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The Fuller Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Your Questions, Answered
For Donors
Yes. The Fuller Research Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in Wyoming. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. You will receive an automated receipt via email after your donation, which you can use for tax purposes.
100% of donations go directly to research. We have no administrative fees. Every dollar donated is used to pay researchers and medical staff and to cover laboratory costs for study participants. Financial records are available upon request.
Yes — and monthly gifts are especially valuable. Predictable recurring revenue allows us to make long-term commitments to researchers and multi-phase trials that single-grant funding cannot sustain. Select "Give Monthly" on the donation form to set up recurring giving. You can cancel at any time.
All payments are processed by Stripe, a PCI-DSS Level 1 certified payment processor used by millions of organizations worldwide. We never see or store your card details. Transactions are encrypted with 256-bit SSL.
For larger gifts, wire transfers, stock donations, or other giving arrangements, please contact us at info@fullerresearch.org and we will work with you directly.
Yes. We are committed to open science. We submit all completed studies for peer-reviewed publication regardless of whether results confirm our hypotheses. Negative or null results are just as important to the scientific record as positive findings.
For Study Participants
For our current trial, you may be eligible if you have a formal physician diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), have not previously followed a ketogenic or carnivore diet for more than a brief period, and are willing to adhere to the assigned dietary intervention for 3–6 months. Complete the eligibility survey on our Research page for a full assessment.
There is a one-time enrollment fee of $200 to participate. This covers intake processing and study administration. Laboratory work, ongoing monitoring, and clinical assessments throughout the study are covered by the Foundation.
After completing the eligibility survey and providing informed consent, enrolled participants follow a randomly assigned dietary protocol (either ketogenic, carnivore/Lion Diet, or control) for the study duration. This involves regular check-ins with the research team, periodic blood draws and laboratory assessments, completing validated symptom and quality-of-life questionnaires, and maintaining diet logs. The study team provides detailed dietary guidance and ongoing support.
All study procedures have been reviewed and approved by an independent institutional review board (IRB). The protocol includes regular monitoring for adverse events, and participants may withdraw at any time without consequence. The study team includes a licensed medical doctor (Dr. Robert Abbott, MD) who oversees participant safety throughout the trial. Any health concerns that arise during the study are addressed promptly.
All personal health information collected during the study is handled in strict compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Data is stored securely, de-identified for analysis, and never sold or shared with third parties outside of study requirements. You will receive and sign a full HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices before enrolling.
Yes. Participation is entirely voluntary. You may withdraw at any time, for any reason, without penalty or consequence to any care you receive. Withdrawing does not affect your relationship with the Foundation or any future eligibility.
Contact
Get in Touch
Contact Us
For study participation, please visit our Research page to apply through the eligibility survey. We'll do our best to respond to other enquiries as fast as we can.
