The standard ketogenic diet, a dietary approach for managing medication-resistant epilepsy, calls for a 4-1 or 3-1 ratio of fat to protein and carbohydrates. Why this diet works in controlling seizures is unclear, but researchers theorize that the diet forces the body to burn fat rather than sugar for energy, which creates ketones. Higher ketone levels act on the brain to decrease seizures.
Foods allowed on the diet include mayonnaise, heavy whipping cream, butter, oils, eggs, tuna, cheddar cheese, hot dogs, chicken and shrimp. Sugar is not allowed.
A related diet -- the modified Atkins diet -- is also used for some children with epilepsy. The diet calls for even fewer carbohydrates than in the standard Atkins diet. Unlike the standard ketogenic diet, it doesn't restrict calories, fluids or protein.
To learn more, go to: www.epilepsy.com .
