UNIverse - Public Research Portal
MALEavatar

Dr. med. Timur Liwinski

Department of Clinical Research
Profiles & Affiliations

Metabolische und System-Psychiatrie

Das Interesse unserer Arbeitsgruppe liegt in der Systemmedizin und Systempsychiatrie, der metabolischen Psychiatrie, der Darm-Hirn-Achse und der Mikrobiota, insbesondere deren Rolle im Zusammenspiel zwischen intestinaler Homöostase, Immunhomöostase, Metabolismus und psychischer Gesundheit.

Selected Publications

Liwinski, Timur, Bocek, Iona, Schmidt, Andreas, Kowalinski, Eva, Dechent, Frieder, Rabenschlag, Franziska, Moeller, Julian, Sarlon, Jan, Brühl, Annette B., Nienaber, André, Lang, Undine E., & Huber, Christian G. (2024). Sustainability initiatives in inpatient psychiatry: tackling food waste [Journal-article]. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1374788

URLs
URLs

Avrahami, M., Liwinski, T., Eckstein, Z., Peskin, M., Perlman, P., Sarlon, J., Lang, U. E., Amital, D., & Weizman, A. (2024). Predictors of valproic acid steady-state serum levels in adult and pediatric psychiatric inpatients: a comparative analysis. Psychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-024-06603-y

URLs
URLs

Liwinski T, Hübener S, Henze L, Hübener P, Heinemann M, Tetzlaff M, Hiller MI, Jagemann B, Surabattula R, Leeming D, Karsdal M, Monguzzi E, Schachschal G, Rösch T, Bang C, Franke A, Lohse AW, Schuppan D, & Schramm C. (2023). A prospective pilot study of a gluten-free diet for primary sclerosing cholangitis and associated colitis. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 57(2), 224–236. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17256

URLs
URLs

Liwinski, Timur, & Lang, Undine E. (2023). Folate and Its Significance in Depressive Disorders and Suicidality: A Comprehensive Narrative Review. Nutrients, 15. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173859

URLs
URLs

Liwinski, Timur, Lang, Undine E., Brühl, Annette B., & Schneider, Else. (2023). Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid in Stress and Depressive Disorders through the Gut–Brain Axis. Biomedicines, 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11123128

URLs
URLs

Liwinski T, Heinemann M, & Schramm C. (2022). The intestinal and biliary microbiome in autoimmune liver disease-current evidence and concepts. Seminars in Immunopathology, 44(4), 485–507. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-022-00936-6

URLs
URLs

Liwinski T, Leshem A, & Elinav E. (2021). Breakthroughs and Bottlenecks in Microbiome Research. Trends in Molecular Medicine, 27(4), 298–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmed.2021.01.003

URLs
URLs

Liwinski T, Zheng D, & Elinav E. (2020). The microbiome and cytosolic innate immune receptors. Immunological Reviews, 297(1), 207–224. https://doi.org/10.1111/imr.12901

URLs
URLs

Liwinski T, Casar C, Ruehlemann MC, Bang C, Sebode M, Hohenester S, Denk G, Lieb W, Lohse AW, Franke A, & Schramm C. (2020). A disease-specific decline of the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 51(12), 1417–1428. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15754

URLs
URLs

Zheng D, Liwinski T, & Elinav E. (2020). Interaction between microbiota and immunity in health and disease. Cell Research, 30(6), 492–506. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41422-020-0332-7

URLs
URLs

Liwinski T, Zenouzi R, John C, Ehlken H, Rühlemann MC, Bang C, Groth S, Lieb W, Kantowski M, Andersen N, Schachschal G, Karlsen TH, Hov JR, Rösch T, Lohse AW, Heeren J, Franke A, & Schramm C. (2020). Alterations of the bile microbiome in primary sclerosing cholangitis. Gut, 69(4), 665–672. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318416

URLs
URLs

Selected Projects & Collaborations

Project cover

KETO-MOOD: Ketogenic Diet for Microbiome Optimization and Overcoming Depression

Research Project  | 1 Project Members

Major depressive disorder (MDD) significantly impacts millions worldwide, with limited success in achieving remission for many patients, leading to high disease burden and increased suicide risk. Psychotherapy and antidepressants, although effective, do not provide relief for all, prompting the search for alternative treatments. Western dietary trends, characterized by nutrient-poor ultra-processed foods, have coincided with rising mental health issues. Previous interventions targeting specific nutrients have shown limited success. Carbohydrate-rich diets are linked to worsened mental health through hormonal responses. The ketogenic diet, low in carbohydrates, has demonstrated positive effects on brain health. Despite its proven benefits in epilepsy, its potential for psychiatric disorders is underexplored. Our study aims to investigate the efficacy of the ketogenic diet in alleviating MDD symptoms, filling a critical gap in psychiatric treatment options and offering a novel dietary approach with potential to mitigate disease burden and enhance mental well-being.

The study intervention consists of implementing a modified Atkins ketogenic diet and spans a duration of 10 weeks. This dietary approach focuses on significantly reducing carbohydrate intake while increasing the consumption of fats and to a lesser extent protein. Participants assigned to the ketogenic diet arm will be guided through a gradual transition into the dietary regimen over a 2-week adaptation phase. During this phase, they will work with a dietitian to learn about the dietary specifics, food preferences, and monitoring procedures. Throughout the subsequent 8-week full ketogenic metabolic intervention, participants will adhere to the modified Atkins ketogenic diet, which emphasizes foods like meats, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, low-carb vegetables, and healthy fats. The goal is to induce a state of nutritional ketosis, where the body transitions from using mainly carbohydrates to increasingly burning fat for energy. Regular meetings with the dietitian will ensure dietary adherence, provide education, and address any concerns. Participants' physical activity and hydration will also be monitored to enhance the safety and effectiveness of the dietary intervention.