The ketogenic diet initially was developed in the s in response to the observation that fasting had antiseizure properties [ 1 ]. The ketogenic diet, which is very high in fat and low in carbohydrates, is thought to simulate the metabolic effects of starvation by forcing the body to use primarily fat as a fuel source. The ketogenic diet fell out of favor with the development of new anticonvulsant agents, starting with phenytoin in , but it has experienced a resurgence in use over the past 20 years, particularly in the treatment of refractory epilepsy. With renewed use of the ketogenic diet has come heightened interest in its potential use for other conditions Table 1. Both the human and animal studies discussed used standard ketogenic diets unless otherwise specified. Potential uses of ketogenic diet in various illnesses clinical and laboratory studies. The ketogenic diet has many potential effects and is likely to have different mechanisms in different diseases [ 8 ]. In metabolic conditions, cancer, trauma, and ischemia, the ketogenic diet may confer a protective effect by providing an additional energy substrate to tissue at risk of cell death. However, ketosis may have more complicated effects. In one model, rats fed the ketogenic diet show marked upregulation of both the ketone transporter and the glucose transporter type 1 GLUT-1, promoting the influx of nutrients into the brain [ 9 ].
Human nutritions and healthy diets. The global burden and stigma of epilepsy. Although it can be difficult to maintain this kind of diet in our carb-loaded society, eating at home is my best option. The data coming from one centre’s experience with 76 children up to the year also indicate fewer side effects than the ketogenic diet and that it is better tolerated, with more palatable meals. A class of anticonvulsants known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors topiramate, zonisamide are known to increase the risk of kidney stones, but the combination of these anticonvulsants and the ketogenic diet does not appear to elevate the risk above that of the diet alone. Some evidence of synergistic benefits is seen when the diet is combined with the vagus nerve stimulator or with the drug zonisamide, and that the diet may be less successful in children receiving phenobarbital. Cited 24 October Ketogenic diets improve epilepsy in over half of those who try it. A ketogenic diet has numerous risks. Med Hypotheses.
This high-fat, low-carb method of eating has captivated popular culture, and more people than ever are wondering whether it will make a difference for their health. Learn more about the keto diet and how it works here. When you limit your carb supply, your body starts to break down fat into compounds called ketones, which are an alternative fuel source that many people believe has impressive benefits for your health and weight. In fact, fasting is the only epilepsy treatment recorded by Hippocrates, and it was standard practice across much of the world for over two thousand years. While most people today start the ketogenic diet to lose weight or otherwise improve their health, the eating strategy originated as a treatment for epilepsy. The research story begins with the first modern study of fasting and its role in epilepsy, which took place in France around The study found that epilepsy patients who consumed low-calorie diets combined with periods of fasting experienced fewer seizures and had fewer adverse health effects from the condition. Around the same time, an American osteopathic physician named Hugh Conklin began to recommend fasting to his epileptic patients to help them get their seizures under control. Using a method that caused epileptic patients to fast for days at a time, he boasted a 50 percent success rate for adults, and as high as 90 percent for children. At first glance, these results were impressive. However, there was one glaring problem.
J Am Coll Nutr TV movie. InAbrahams produced a is different. But a true ketogenic diet.