hello all.

I have not posted for a long time. I have a eighteen year old son that is starting the Modified atkins diet. I am worried about this but we are running out of options. Meds are not working for us at all. Any input would be greatly appreciated

Hi cahmom,
The modified Atkins Diet is similar to the ketogenic diet but it's less strict. Just like your son I've tried all different types of AED's (seizure meds) but I found out I was drug resistant. I then had surgery done to help reduce my seizures and 16 yrs. after the surgery was done now my seizures are more frequent and severe. I've found that the diet will probably be the best of help for your son. He will need to see a dietician that understands epilepsy and how the diet works. He will have to cut out starch foods and foods with carbohydrates and start eating foods high in fat but low in protein. Your son will also have to stay away form caffeine and to much sugar and keep him away from nutra sweet because this will trigger seizures for people. I hope I have been of some help. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You and Your family!

Sue

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help. There are great number of fellow members here to assist as possible. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

Hi cahmom,
I forgot to let you know that if your son is taking Diamox the diet will not work. He will have to take another AED (seizure med) if he's on Diamox. Also your son will have to fast for 2 days and then his body will slowly go on the diet because if he goes on it to fast it can make him sick with an upset stomach and running to the restroom. The diet is only good for 2 yrs. and then he will have to go off the diet. To get more info. on the diet you can buy the book by Dr. John Freeman called the Epilepsy Diet Treatment this explains how the ketogenic diet works and that Atkins Diet does the same thing except it's less strict, be sure to tell your son to watch his cholestoral level also and he should do a lot of exercises to burn off the extra fat.
Here's wishing you and your son only the best and May God Bless You Both!

Sue

Hi cahmom,
I just wanted to welcome you to NT. I am glad you found us. I see that you are getting good advice already. My prayers are with you and your son. Nice to meet you. Best of luck to both of you.

I found these links in the modified Atkins Diet. Also the results of a study is here too. There are lots more too from googlescholar.com Tattoo

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/j...21501137/issue

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/j...TRY=1&SRETRY=0

The Modified Atkins Diet
*Eric H. Kossoff and *Jennifer L. Dorward
*The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
Address correspondence to Eric H. Kossoff M.D., 200 North Wolfe Street, Suite 2158, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, U.S.A. E-mail: ekossoff@jhmi.edu
KEYWORDS
Modified Atkins diet • Ketosis • Children • Epilepsy • Ketogenic
ABSTRACT
In 2003, a case series was published describing the benefits of a less restrictive ketogenic diet (KD) started as an outpatient without a fast and without any restrictions on calories, fluids, or protein. This "Modified Atkins Diet" (MAD) restricts carbohydrates to 10 g/day (15 g/day in adults) while encouraging high fat foods. Now 5 years later, there have been eight prospective and retrospective studies published on this alternative dietary therapy, both in children as well as adults. In these reports, 45 (45%) have had 50–90% seizure reduction, and 28 (28%) >90% seizure reduction, which is remarkably similar to the traditional KD. This review will discuss basics and tips to best provide the MAD, evidence for its efficacy, suggestions about the role of ketosis in dietary treatment efficacy, and its side effect profile. Lastly, the possible future benefits of this treatment for new-onset seizures, adults, neurologic conditions other than epilepsy, and developing countries of the world will be discussed.
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DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI)
10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01831.x About DOI