An assessment of the ketogenic and modified Atkins diets for controlling epilepsy in children

Since 1994, the ketogenic diet has re-emerged as a popular therapy for children with intractable seizures. The ketogenic diet was first created in the 1920s and has shown, in multiple studies, to be efficacious in all age groups and seizure types. The diet consists of very high fat, adequate protein, and extremely low carbohydrate intake, which induces persistent ketosis and can be maintained for several years if necessary. In the last few years, the modified Atkins diet has also emerged as a viable therapy for epilepsy, with similar ketogenic properties but less restriction on calories and carbohydrate content. Additionally, the ketogenic diet has recently been recognized as helpful for neurological conditions other than epilepsy. In this review, the efficacy of the diet, mechanism(s) of action, indications, side effects, and its recent modifications will be discussed.