Atkins-Like Diet May Treat Epilepsy, Researchers Say

Better Health Research ^ | January 24, 2011 | Better Health Research News Desk

[Immerito]

A study published in the journal Epilepsia has determined that individuals with a specific form of epilepsy may benefit the most from a meat-rich diet.

Researchers found that the majority of children with myoclonic-astatic epilepsy who switched from a modified Atkins diet to a ketogenic diet reduced their seizures by at least 10 percent.

The ketogenic diet is similar to the Atkins regimen. Both consist primarily of protein-heavy meals, eaten with little or no carbohydrates.

The ketogenic diet simply has more restrictions on the types of fats, proteins and fluids that an individual may consume.

The study's authors concluded that its stringency may make the ketogenic plan impart a "higher dose" of epilepsy therapy per meal.

[stilloftyhenight]

I’ve been on Atkins for almost 6 years now. Not only did I lose the weight I wanted, but it changed my eating habits.

I’m on the maintenance part of it now. I find I have very little carb tolerance. I’m wondering if I had a food allergy to carbs all my life and didn’t know it?

I don’t have the water retention problem that I used to have. I also don’t get acid reflux or constipation problems.

I did the modified Atkins that includes milk and cheese. I have one cheat day per week in which I’m allowed to eat anything I want for dinner, but find I also get instant water retention and indigestion occurs. LOL Can’t win. It takes me a day or two to throw off the effects of the carb day. Many are able to tolerate more carbs on maintenance than I am.

I feel lighter and more energetic. My legs don’t feel like they weigh a thousand pounds. :)

[Jemian]

Yes, I’m on Atkins and it sounds credible to me.

[fight_truth_decay]

No is not all like that..I look at the bottom line for costs..what I would spend at the grocery store for items plus ones you buy not on the list..and no waste. It was great to have a meal in 4 minutes..healthy and excellent at that so the time to prepare is cut to a minimum..

I always look at the bottom line not the individual cost and compared..I was actually spending less and eating better.

I figured the cost for a month doing the grocery store thing..which I detest, the impulse buying--and even the quality could not compare to what HomeBistro had to offer.

Certain things are a given to buy locally for freshness as I live where there is fresh seafood.

But also will say their lobster dinners if used as a gift for instance is as fresh tasting as I buy it where I am.

If you are doing a family is "another whole animal".

People buy Omaha steaks etc this is just entire meals..prepared for you.

[fight_truth_decay]

Low Carb South Beach worked for me and the weight just fell off..I still use Omega-3 butter substitute, I lost the taste for boxed cereals like frosted mini wheats and old time favorite and that was wow..7 years ago. That was odd considering I the MW before then lost the taste for all related. I do have 5 min cooked oatmeal every so often. Was pretty much cutting out anything "white"..Now I belong to Planet fitness for strength training. The only pain was going shopping and restocking the kitchen with the foods needed for the diet to follow the menus per day to some degree was not to the letter of the law..and tossed out "the old". Seemed like I was at the grocer forever working out the menu.

The George Foreman got a workout!!

I didn't do much alcohol anyway, which when some find out no alcohol they refuse to give up that pleasure.. I will say even for just 2 weeks you can't give it up?? that's almost 8 labs just in that time frame.

[LadyDoc]

you are talking about weight loss, and the thread is talking about a ketogenic diet for epilepsy control.

Not the same thing.

The Adkins type diets work, but the dirty little secret is that the weight loss is not that great in the long run. The really dirty little secret is that NO diets work well in the long run.

The good news is that if a person loses ten percent of his weight and exercizes, their risk factors go down.

[luckystarmom]

Was reading this thread again. My daughters seizures are back, and the current meds are having lots of side effects.

I’m looking into the diet. My daughter is having subclinical seizures, so I’m thinking it might be a good option.

Of course, we have to still talk to her doctor.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

That is essentially what is called the “maintenance Adkins Diet”.

On Adkins when you have reached your desired weight you begin to gradually add carbs back in, more vegetables, more fruit and more whole grain. When you stop losing weight you stop adding things back in. At that point you know what you should eat in fat, protein and carbs to keep yourself at the proper weight.

You can then adjust your eating to fit the day.

I am going to have a slice of pie. So I will have eggs for breakfast, tuna in a tomato for lunch, the steak and broccoli for dinner.

I am not going to have the pie, so I can have a no sugar yogurt for breakfast, tuna in avocado for lunch and steak and a small potato for dinner.

[LadyDoc]

the "ketogenic" diet has been around for years and does work: The idea is to avoid all sugars/carbohydrates until the person has to break down fat for energy.

The Atkins diet works because when this happens, your appetite is less.

For some reason, the change in PH of the blood also slows down seizures

The bad side is that it's hard to follow, you smell funny (as does your urine) and for some folks (e.g. those with health problems, and maybe growing children) it stresses the body.

I tried Atkins to lose weight, and found the problem was that I got terrible chocolate urges, and I rarely ate chocolate.

Your physician might not know about it, but some pediatric neurologists do. Check this link: Johns Hopkins keotgenic diet center...

[luckystarmom]

I know parents that are doing both types of diets.

I’m hoping the medication changes will work with minimal side effects, but learning about other options.

I will definitely talking to her doc.