Abstract
The ketogenic diet is effective for treating seizures in children with epilepsy. The Atkins diet can also induce a ketotic state, but has fewer protein and caloric restrictions, and has been used safely by millions of people worldwide for weight reduction. Six patients, aged 7 to 52 years, were started on the Atkins diet for the treatment of intractable focal and multifocal epilepsy. Five patients maintained moderate to large ketosis for periods of 6 weeks to 24 months; three patients had seizure reduction and were able to reduce antiepileptic medications. This provides preliminary evidence that the Atkins diet may have a role as therapy for patients with medically resistant epilepsy.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1789-1791 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Neurology |
Volume | 61 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 23 2003 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology