The Cholesterol Code

A Quick Update on Course Certificates

Author

Christina James
August 26, 2026

A Quick Update on Course Certificates

As many of you will know, MHFA recently launched their new website and moved over to updated internal systems. It's been an exciting step forward for Sanitas Hub but, as with any big transition, there have been a few teething problems along the way.

Right now, MHFA are unable to access course certificates through their new system, which means they are temporarily unable to issue or reissue learner certificates.

We know this is frustrating, especially if you are waiting on proof of completion. Please be reassured that this is purely a technical hiccup with their new system it has nothing to do with your course completion or your achievement. Your hard work absolutely still counts.

MHFA is working hard behind the scenes to get this fixed and restore full functionality as quickly as they can. We'll let you know the moment certificates are back up and running.

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding while they sort this out.

If you are currently looking to book a MHFA Adult or Refresher course, please email us at [email protected] and we can get you booked onto a course.

The Cholesterol Code: What a Documentary About Fat and Cholesterol Can Teach Us About Neurodivergent Mental Health

You may have seen chatter online about The Cholesterol Code, the documentary following independent researcher Dave Feldman as he investigates why his LDL cholesterol soared after adopting a ketogenic diet despite becoming leaner, healthier, and metabolically improved in almost every other respect. Feldman's personal puzzle grew into a wider research effort, and the film has reignited public interest in a question metabolic psychiatry has been quietly exploring for years: what does what we eat do to how we think and feel?

For those of us working in neurodivergent mental health, this isn't just a nutrition curiosity it touches on two areas with real, emerging evidence: the ketogenic diet's effect on mood and psychiatric symptoms, and the role of dietary protein in supporting the neurodivergent brain.

What the Research Actually Says About Keto and Mental Health

The ketogenic diet has long been used clinically for drug-resistant epilepsy, but interest in its psychiatric applications sometimes called "metabolic psychiatry" has grown considerably. A pilot study from the University of Edinburgh, published in BJPsych Open, followed 27 adults with bipolar disorder through a 6–8 week modified ketogenic diet. Higher daily ketone levels were linked to better self-rated mood and energy, and lower impulsivity and anxiety. Brain imaging also showed reductions in glutamate, a neurotransmitter linked to overexcitability in bipolar disorder.

Separately, researchers at Stanford followed people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder with existing metabolic difficulties through a four-month ketogenic intervention. Participants who stuck with the diet reported improvements in energy, sleep, mood, and overall quality of life.

None of this means keto is a treatment for bipolar disorder or any other mental illness the researchers themselves are careful to describe these as small, exploratory studies without control groups, and larger trials are still needed. But the underlying theory is compelling: many psychiatric conditions involve disrupted brain energy metabolism, and ketones offer the brain an alternative fuel source to glucose, potentially easing that burden.

This is exactly why any significant dietary change keto very much included should be discussed with a GP or psychiatrist first, particularly for anyone on mood-stabilising medication, as ketogenic diets can interact with how some medications are metabolised.

Why Protein Deserves More Attention in Neurodivergent Wellbeing

Alongside the fat-and-carbohydrate conversation, protein has its own quiet but important role to play particularly for ADHD and other neurodivergent profiles.

Protein is broken down into amino acids, and two in particular tyrosine and tryptophan are the raw materials the brain uses to build neurotransmitters. Tyrosine is a precursor to dopamine and norepinephrine, both central to attention, motivation, and focus. Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, which plays a key role in mood regulation and impulse control. Given that ADHD is strongly associated with dopamine and norepinephrine dysregulation, it's easy to see why researchers have been curious about whether protein intake could meaningfully affect symptoms.

It's worth being honest about the evidence here: it's mixed. Some studies point to a genuine link for example, research summarised in Frontiers in Nutrition highlights how micronutrients supporting neurotransmitter synthesis (including the amino acids protein provides) are relevant to ADHD and broader neurodivergence. On the other hand, a study comparing children with ADHD to neurotypical peers found no significant difference in blood amino acid levels or dietary protein intake between the groups suggesting the relationship isn't as simple as "more protein equals fewer symptoms."

What we can say with more confidence is this: protein-rich meals help stabilise blood sugar and provide a steady supply of the building blocks the brain needs, which anecdotally many neurodivergent people find supports more even energy and focus across the day even if the underlying neurochemistry is still being fully mapped by researchers.

The Takeaway

Metabolic and nutritional psychiatry is still a young field, and documentaries like The Cholesterol Code are a useful reminder that even long-settled "facts" cholesterol, fat, carbohydrates are still being actively investigated by serious researchers. For neurodivergent brains specifically, the honest answer is that food isn't a fix, but it is a genuine piece of the wellbeing puzzle worth taking seriously, alongside never instead of appropriate medical and therapeutic support.

Further reading:

As always, this article is for information and interest only, and isn't a substitute for individual medical or psychiatric advice. If you're considering a significant dietary change, please speak to your GP or care team first especially if you take any medication.

For further inquiries, company group training or mental health consultancy please do not hesitate to get in touch at [email protected]