Atkins Diet May Reduce Seizures in Epileptics

Atkins Diet May Reduce Seizures in Epileptics

BOSTON--The Atkins diet may reduce seizures in young epilepsypatients, according to a study presented at the American Epilepsy SocietysAnnual Meeting Dec. 5 to 10 (www.aesnet.org). Research has shown a ketogenicdiet (high fat, low carbs), is an effective epilepsy treatment; the Atkins dietinduces a similar ketogenic effect, but without calorie or protein restrictions.Five subjects with intractable focal and multifocal epilepsy between 7 and 50years of age who failed to respond to anticonvulsant therapy were involved inthe study. Researchers found the diet significantly reduced seizures in thethree youngest subjects (ages 7, 10 and 20); however, no reduction in seizureswas observed in the older two (ages 42 and 52). The three youngest subjects wereable to reduce epilepsy medications as a result.