Atkins For Seizures Articles

Modified Atkins Diet being Offered in South Carolina

Submitted by: Julisu Dimucci-Ward

Ketogenic diet program

What is the Ketogenic Diet?

Developed nearly 80 years ago, the ketogenic diet is an evidence-based plan used to treat seizures, particularly in children.  Certain children who are having uncontrolled seizures or problems with their medications may be good candidates for this diet.  This diet must be medically supervised. It is a rigid, mathematically calculated high fat (90% of the calories from fat) and very low carbohydrate diet which causes the body to maintain a state of ketosis. It does allow for growth. The diet requires a highly motivate family, and has proven to provide great benefit to children of all ages with epilepsy.  The ketogenic diet improves control of seizures in almost three-quarters of the children who try it and up to a third may have their seizures completely controlled.  Many children on the diet become more alert, and many others are able to stop their seizure medication.

How does the diet work?

Before the diet is initiated patients usually undergo a brief (24 to 48 hours) fast during which they are admitted to hospital.  This initial brief fast enables the child to quickly enter a state of ketosis, in which the body is mobilizing fats preferentially over carbohydrate (glucose) sources for energy.  Maintaining this state of ketosis is essential for seizure control, and is achieved by transitioning to the ketogenic diet.  The diet is calculated with a tightly controlled ratio of fat: (protein + carbohydrate) --- usually ranging from a 3:1 up to a 5:1 diet ratio.  The diet will be calculated to provide adequate protein for growth.  It is, nevertheless, a nutritionally unbalanced diet and patients following this diet must have vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure nutritional adequacy.  Patients and their family members work closely with a Dietitian to learn to plan, prepare, and manage their ketogenic diet.  Patients also need outpatient routine follow-up medical checks while on this diet. 

Will individuals gain weight on this diet? 

By carefully controlling the number of calories consumed, the ketogenic diet will not cause weight gain.  Because the diet is so high in fat patients may have some elevation in their blood lipids.  Studies have shown no long-term side effects for those on the ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet is also not intended to be a life-time diet.  Most individuals are able to wean off this diet in about two years. Lipid levels return to normal when the diet is discontinued.  

How do I refer for evaluation for the ketogenic diet?

For more information please call Regional Family Neurology at (864) 560-6445. You may also fax a referral form to (864) 560 - 7721.