1. Kossoff EH. More fat and fewer seizures: dietary therapy for epilepsy. Lancet Neurol 2004;3: 415–420.
2. Charlie Foundation. http://www.charliefoundation.org/advisory-board/content/faq. Accessed 11/29/2011
3. Furth, Casey et al. Risk factors for urolithiasis in children on the ketogenic diet. Pediatr Nephrol 2000;15: 125–128.
4. Epilepsy.com. http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/treatment_atkins_diet. Accessed 12/2/2011
5. Kossoff, et al. A modified atkins diet is an effective treatment for intractable epilepsy. Epilepsia. Volume 47, Issue 2, pages 421–424, February 2006
6. Epilepsy.com. http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/treatment_atkins_diet. Accessed 12/2/2011
2. Charlie Foundation. http://www.charliefoundation.org/advisory-board/content/faq. Accessed 11/29/2011
3. Furth, Casey et al. Risk factors for urolithiasis in children on the ketogenic diet. Pediatr Nephrol 2000;15: 125–128.
4. Epilepsy.com. http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/treatment_atkins_diet. Accessed 12/2/2011
5. Kossoff, et al. A modified atkins diet is an effective treatment for intractable epilepsy. Epilepsia. Volume 47, Issue 2, pages 421–424, February 2006
6. Epilepsy.com. http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/treatment_atkins_diet. Accessed 12/2/2011
References
| "The Ketogenic Diet has helped my daughter and I would encourage others to try it" -Cheri, Prarieville, LA |
The Ketogenic diet is used to treat children with refractory (resistant to treatment) epilepsy including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome who have not responded well to anti-epileptic medicines.
What is the Ketogenic Diet?
The Ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carbohydrate diet that forces the body to burn more fat than sugar. The diet is restrictive containing a 4:1 ratio by weight of fat to protein and carbohydrates, but has been shown to be an effective medical therapy for intractable childhood epilepsy. (1)
How Does it Work?
The ketogenic diet puts the body into a state of ketosis, which is said to have an anti-convulsant effect. When carbohydrates are restricted, the liver converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies. The ketones replace glucose as the energy source in the brain and sends the body into ketosis.
What is the Ketogenic Diet?
The Ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carbohydrate diet that forces the body to burn more fat than sugar. The diet is restrictive containing a 4:1 ratio by weight of fat to protein and carbohydrates, but has been shown to be an effective medical therapy for intractable childhood epilepsy. (1)
How Does it Work?
The ketogenic diet puts the body into a state of ketosis, which is said to have an anti-convulsant effect. When carbohydrates are restricted, the liver converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies. The ketones replace glucose as the energy source in the brain and sends the body into ketosis.
What is involved with the ketogenic diet?
The ketogenic diet starts with the strict supervision of a doctor and dietitian, followed by a 24 hour fasting period to raise the ketone level in the brain. The diet is then gradually introduced into the child's body.
How effective is the ketogenic diet?
Over one half of those children who are placed on the diet have a 50% reduction of seizures or more.(2) The diet requires strict supervision and even the slightest departure may cause the diet to lose its effect.
What about medications?
Medications are not discontinued once the diet is started. The doctor can determine when to decrease the medications while on the diet. Doctors usually recommend vitamins and mineral supplements to accompany the diet since a deficiency may otherwise by developed.
Side Effects:
Dehydration
Constipation
Kidney Stones
Bone Fractures
Vomiting
High cholesterol level
Slower growth rates in children (3)
For more information on the ketogenic diet, please visit:
www.charliefoundation.org
www.matthewsfriends.org
The ketogenic diet starts with the strict supervision of a doctor and dietitian, followed by a 24 hour fasting period to raise the ketone level in the brain. The diet is then gradually introduced into the child's body.
How effective is the ketogenic diet?
Over one half of those children who are placed on the diet have a 50% reduction of seizures or more.(2) The diet requires strict supervision and even the slightest departure may cause the diet to lose its effect.
What about medications?
Medications are not discontinued once the diet is started. The doctor can determine when to decrease the medications while on the diet. Doctors usually recommend vitamins and mineral supplements to accompany the diet since a deficiency may otherwise by developed.
Side Effects:
Dehydration
Constipation
Kidney Stones
Bone Fractures
Vomiting
High cholesterol level
Slower growth rates in children (3)
For more information on the ketogenic diet, please visit:
www.charliefoundation.org
www.matthewsfriends.org
What is the Modified Atkins Diet?
The modified Atkins diet is a modification of the traditional ketogenic diet that had been used for several years by families mostly who had been
using the ketogenic diet for many years and eventually stopped weighing and measuring foods.(4) The diet is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for
intractable pediatric epilepsy.(5)
How is it Different from the Ketogenic Diet?
With the Atkins diet there is no fluid or calorie restriction and there are no restrictions on proteins. In addition, foods are not weighed and measured, but
carbohydrate counts are monitored by patients and parents.(6)
Efficacy of the Diet:
According to studies, about 2/3 had a 50% reduction in seizures after 6 months. Many were able to reduce medications. (6)
For more information on the Modified Atkins Diet, please visit
www.charliefoundation.org
www.matthewsfriends.org
www.atkinsforseizures.com
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