Diet to help seizures - need guidance
 

I am very interested in the diet mentioned here for sz. My husband suffers from TC sz. I'm kind of at my wits end. I'd like to modify his diet but not even sure where to begin.

I myself have done modified version of Atkins but allowed minimal carbs into my daily diet.

I've read a lot about the ketogenic diet success with children, but was wondering about a ketogenic or even a modified Atkins diet for my husband.

Any advice/guidance would be very much appreciated. Please feel free to email me at jerrimiller@comcast.net. I'm kind of desperate now.

You might also look into the low glycemic diet. Check the chart linked in my sig for more info. Dogtorj's GARD diet has not been clinically studied like the others have. Hopefully it will be soon. I think it's a shame that diet gets second consideration to drugs for controlling epilepsy.

Hi Jerri,
I've been on the ketogenic diet for a long time now and it has helped me a lot reducing more of my sz. and I haven't had a single tc sz. since I was put on the diet. My dietician has me eating 4:1 four grams of fat for every gram of protein. You have to cut out the starch and carbs. and it's hard if you want to go out to dinner. All food must be weighed on a gram scale but it's well worth it in the long run. You can buy the book titled: "The Epilepsy Diet Treatment" by Dr. John Freeman at Hopkins University. He has adults on this diet and I know my cousin was on this diet during WWII and he never had a single sz. until he went off the diet. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

Sue and Bernard,

Thank you. I just looked on amazon but there are a few books he has written, do you know the exact title since most seem to be geared towards kids?

Sue - I'd love to ask you lots of questions as I read the book and start the process - if that's cool. David has dr. appt on Thursday so I will mention it to the doctor.

Can't wait to get the book in the mail!

Hi Jerri,
Depending on the dietician and neuro. some people have to stay in the hospital for a few days so their body can get used to the changes. I had to fast for 2 days and then my dietician slowly put me on the diet increasing the fat levels. What was really great about the diet is I lost 80 lbs. and even though I eat foods high in fat ex. cheesecake I burn the fat up for energy instead of carbs. and it has lowered my cholesterol level a little which is great. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

my question is does this diet take into account for low blood sugar over time? do you know how this would be different than a hypoglycemic diet? Does the book you mention talk about this topic at all.
Lastly, Is one allowed to eat multi snacks through out a day rather than big meals and can one do this with no dairy?
Look to hear back.

Hi Cedar,
The diet does take into account low blood sugar but I'm not sure how different it is from the hypoglycemic diet. A person is to eat 3 meals a day along with snacks. Here's an ex. of breakfast

Breakfast:
2 eggs cooked in butter
5 pieces of bacon or 2 sausage patties
1 slice of toast with butter
1 small glass of orange juice
1 cup of coffee or tea

A person has to have some carbs. or the blood sugar level will drop to low that's why they allow vanilla ice cream, strawberry's with whipped cream, cheesecake, etc. for desserts or snacks. You also have to use a lot of heavy creams, mayo, and cheeses in the diet. A person must use canola oil or olive oil to cook with and they must always use butter. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue