Atkins diet beneficial for epilepsy.

Eight adults with epilepsy that had failed to respond to at least two anticonvulsant drugs were advised to follow the Atkins diet for six months, restricting carbohydrate intake to 20 g per day. Patients also received a multivitamin-multimineral supplement twice a day. Among the three patients who followed the diet for six months, mean seizure frequency decreased by 60%, 42%, and 25%, respectively. Patients also reported improved concentration and well being. No serious side effects were reported.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Comment: The Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that has been used by millions of people for weight reduction. Like the ketogenic diet, which has been used successfully for many patients with intractable epilepsy, the Atkins diet can induce a state of ketosis, but has fewer restrictions on calories and protein. In addition, the Atkins diet does not require fluid restriction and does not need to be started in the hospital. According to one study, the Atkins diet may be an effective alternative to the ketogenic diet in some children with intractable epilepsy. Studies examining the effect of this diet in adults have produced conflicting results.

Carrette E, et al. A pilot trial with modified Atkins' diet in adult patients with refractory epilepsy. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2008;Jun 20: [Epub ahead of print].

by Alan R. Gaby, MD

[e-mail]