The ketogenic and Atkins diets: Recipes for seizure control

Created in 1921, the ketogenic diet is a medical therapy used for children with difficult-to-control epilepsy. After decades of relative disuse, it has re-emerged in the past decade worldwide both clinically and in research studies. This high-fat, moderate pro-tein, very low carbohydrate diet induces a ketotic state that theoretically leads to seizure reduction. Side effects may occur and include constipation, acidosis, kidney stones, dyslipidemia, and decreased growth. A modified Atkins diet may similarly lead to seizure reduction with less restrictiveness and is under investigation.