This study analyzed the combination of the Modified Atkins Diet and the supplement KetoCal in the treatment of intractible childhood epilepsy. The use of this ketogenic supplement increased daily fat intake and thus the ketogenic ratio but did not change urinary or serum ketosis. The addition of a ketogenic supplement to the modified Atkins diet during its initial month appears to be beneficial.
Category: Epilepsy
Will Seizure Control Improve By Switching From The Modified Atkins Diet to The Traditional Ketogenic Diet?
A higher incidence of improvement with the KD occurred for those with myoclonic-astatic epilepsy including all who became seizure-free.
A Pilot Study of The Modified Atkins Diet For Sturge–Weber Syndrome
The modified Atkins diet (MAD) is a dietary treatment for epilepsy which does not restrict fluids or calories. This theoretically makes the MAD safer than the ketogenic diet for children with Sturge–Weber syndrome (SWS). Five children aged 4–18 years with SWS and at least monthly intractable seizures were started prospectively on the MAD for 6 months. All children had urinary ketosis and seizure improvement, including 3 with >50% seizure reduction.
When Do Seizures Usually Improve With The Ketogenic Diet?
The KD works quickly when effective, typically within the first 1–2 weeks. Starting the KD after a fasting periodmay lead to a more rapid, but equivalent long-term seizure reduction, confirming prior reports. If the KD has not led to seizure reduction after 2 months, it can probably be discontinued.
Efficacy of the Atkins Diet as Therapy For Intractable Epilepsy
Six patients 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.
Various Indications For a Modified Atkins Diet in Intractable Childhood Epilepsy
A long-term treatment with the MAD was well tolerated. Moreover, the MAD can successfully substitute the classic KD in patients who showed improvement in seizure outcomes by the KD. 9 patients maintained the MAD with favorable seizure outcomes (a reduction of seizure frequency by over 50%) or successfully completed the diet therapy.
Use of a Modified Atkins Diet in Intractable Childhood Epilepsy
Six months after diet initiation, seven (50%) remained on the diet, five (36%) had >50% seizure reduction, and three (21%) were seizure free. The diet was well tolerated by 12 (86%) patients.
Long-term follow-up of children treated with the modified Atkins diet.
At their most recent point during the modified Atkins diet (mean 19.9 months), 30 of 54 (55%) children with diet durations of more than 6 months achieved >50% improvement; 19 (35%) were seizure-free.
A Pilot Trial With Modified Atkins’ Diet in Adult Patients With Refractory Epilepsy
This pilot study shows that the modified Atkins’ diet is feasible in an adult population, and that seizure frequency reduction is possible. The results need to be confirmed in larger prospective, controlled studies with comparison groups.
Modified Atkins Diet Brought Back The Joy of Life to a Developmentally Severely Disabled Youth
Authors describe a developmentally severely disabled man, whose epilepsy settled, autistic features were alleviated, behavioral problems disappeared and whose weight and blood lipid and glucose values have remained normal for one year during a modified Atkins diet.