Can Atkins diet make a real difference in seizures?

Epilepsy Epilepsy is a type of neurological condition characterized by periods of abnormal electrical activity in the brain (called seizures). According to the Epilepsy Foundation, the condition affects about 2.7 million Americans. About 200,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.

Epilepsy is slightly more common in males and in African-Americans. It can develop at any age, but incidence is highest in children under two and adults over 65.

Epilepsy is classified into two main types: generalized seizures and partial seizures. Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain from the onset and produce some loss of consciousness. They can be further divided into four subtypes. Generalized tonic clonic seizures initially cause stiffening of the limbs and temporary reduction or cessation in breathing. The symptoms are followed by limb and facial jerking and resumption of breathing.

These seizures are the most common type of generalized seizures. They are also known as Grand Mal seizures. Atonic seizures (sometimes called drop attacks) cause a sudden loss of muscle tone, leading to drooping of the head, loss of posture or sudden falling. Myoclonic seizures are rapid contractions of the muscles, usually on both sides of the body, causing sudden jerking in an area of the body. Absence seizures cause sudden lapses of awareness (like staring into space). These seizures, also known as petit mal seizures, last only a few seconds.

Partial seizures are those in which the abnormal electrical activity occurs on one side of the brain. They can be further classified as simple partial seizures (no loss of consciousness) and complex partial seizures (causing impaired or lost consciousness). In some people with partial seizures, the abnormal electrical activity can spread to the other side of the brain, causing a generalized seizure.

Treating Epilepsy Once the diagnosis of epilepsy is confirmed, medications can be prescribed to control the seizures. In 80 percent of patients, medications can effectively control some of the seizure activity. The remaining 20 percent are unable to get relief with medications.

When seizures don't respond to drug treatment, doctors may recommend surgery. Surgeons map the electrical activity in the brain and then surgically destroy the areas where seizure activity originates. Surgery is usually only recommended when patients can't get relief from medications and seizure activity is confined to a very specific, identifiable area of the brain.

The Ketogenic Diet for Seizures Some physicians advocate a special diet for certain patients with epilepsy, called the ketogenic diet. The high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet forces the body to use fat for energy (normally we get our calories from glucose in carbohydrates). When fat is used as the major source of fuel, the body produces a byproduct, called ketones.

The diet is started with the patient in the hospital under a 24-hour fast. Without food, the body begins to burn its fat stores. Doctors gradually add high-fat foods into the diet to keep the body burning fats for energy.
According to the Epilepsy Foundation, the ketogenic diet helps reduce seizure activity in 66 percent of children and completely eliminates seizures in one-third. The diet must be carefully planned and followed. Patients can develop dehydration, constipation, kidney stones or gallstones. Children on the diet must also be monitored for nutrition deficiencies.

The Atkins™ Diet for Seizures The Atkins™ diet has been a popular diet for adults trying to lose weight. In some ways, it is similar to the ketogenic diet, but not nearly as restrictive. Now, doctors at Johns Hopkins Children's Center say a modified form of the Atkins diet may be beneficial for children who can't tolerate or have difficulty following the standard ketogenic diet.

The modified Atkins diet encourages more fat than the standard Atkins diet and allows for a little more protein than the ketogenic diet. It doesn't require strict measuring of food intake, calories or fluids. Children don't need to start with a 24-hour fast or admission to the hospital.

In a small recent study, researchers reported the modified Atkins diet was almost as effective in controlling seizures as the traditional ketogenic diet. Sixteen children, aged 3 to 18, completed the study; 13 experienced at least a 50 percent reduction in seizures while on the diet. Seven of the participants had greater than a 90 percent improvement in symptoms. Four of the children were seizure-free.

Doctors caution that any high-fat diet should only be used under the guidance of a physician and nutritionist who are familiar with the benefits and risks of the therapy.