Low Carb and Epiliepsy Study

[GreytMuse]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but this study was released today and WOW...let's hope they can correlate this to humans.

http://health.usnews(dot)com/health-...ffect-epilepsy

[pooticus]

Sorry link isn't working!

[beachmom3]

The link didn't work for me, but I do have first hand experience with this with my oldest son. He began having drop seizures when he was two months old. He would have hundreds a day. Medication didn't help at all. We started the ketogenic diet when he was 10 months old and within 2 months he was seizure free. It is truly incredible! We had to stop the diet unfortunately, but he has since had surgery and is doing great.

[GreytMuse]

Here's another go at it!

Mouse Study Sheds Light on How Diet May Affect Epilepsy - US News and World Report

WEDNESDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- It's long been known that a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet can reduce epileptic seizures that resist drug therapy, and now researchers studying mice say they think they know why.

The results of their research in mice suggest that resistance to seizures among people who eat what's called a ketogenic diet is linked to a protein that modifies cellular metabolism in the brain.

The findings, reported in the May 24 issue of the journal Neuron, may lead to the development of new treatments for epilepsy, according to the researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston.

"The connection between metabolism and epilepsy has been such a puzzle," study co-leader Gary Yellen, a professor of neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, said in a Harvard news release. "I've met a lot of kids whose lives are completely changed by this diet. It's amazingly effective, and it works for many kids for whom drugs don't work."

In tests with mice, the researchers found that modifying the BCL-2-associated agonist of cell death protein led to altered brain metabolism and protected against seizures.

"Diet sounds like this wholesome way to treat seizures, but it's very hard. I mean, diets in general are hard, and this diet is really hard," Yellen said. "So finding a pharmacological substitute for this would make lots of people really happy."

While the findings hold promise, experts note that research involving animals frequently fails to lead to benefits for humans.

The Epilepsy Foundation has more about the ketogenic diet.

[DeltaSierra]

I remember a while back, Meryl Streep did a movie touting the benefits of a ketogenic diet on children with epilepsy. I believe it was called "First Do No Harm"

[Purple Crayon]

My friend's little boy has severe seizures. They have him on a ketogenic diet to help. They work with a dietician to get the formula exactly right. It's hard to tell how much it has helped the seizures. They are less frequent now, but when he does have them, they come in clusters. The diet has also gotten his weight up to a normal level. You used to be able to see all his ribs. Now his body just looks normal.

[Abby]

Ketogenic diets have been used since 1921. Like Electro-Convulsive shock treatments, we had no idea WHY they worked. Their use has been empirical.

[clackley]

Originally Posted by DeltaSierra

I remember a while back, Meryl Streep did a movie touting the benefits of a ketogenic diet on children with epilepsy. I believe it was called "First Do No Harm"

Here is a link to that true story..

The Charlie Foundation

Amongst many other benefits of a ketogenic diet is the likelihood that it prevents A.D.. A reason in of itself, to eat this way!

[Abby]

We have no long term clinical studies which support the notion that Alzheimer's may be prevented by adherence to a ketogenic diet. At this juncture, there's only speculation in that regard. There have been attempts to treat neuro-degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's with LC diets with only modest success. Unfortunately, medicine still has no cures for these terrible maladies.

[clackley]

Metabolic syndrome is a known risk for A.D. and the dietary treatment (i.e. ketogenic diet) is also known to alleviate and in some cases reverse this syndrome. If people are not too sure and would prefer to wait for the long term clinical studies to be available then so be it.

[Abby]

There's NOTHING wrong with modifying one's lifestyle in response to anecdotal reports or academic speculation. However, to make a recommendation to the population as a whole to adopt such changes, we MUST apply the scientific method.

It wasn't that long ago that snake oil was widely sold and touted as a cure for a host of illnesses. Many adoped it and swore by it. However, it couldn't hold up under even superficial scientific scrutiny.

[Yellobrix]

Originally Posted by Abby

There's NOTHING wrong with modifying one's lifestyle in response to anecdotal reports or academic speculation. However, to make a recommendation to the population as a whole to adopt such changes, we MUST apply the scientific method.

It wasn't that long ago that snake oil was widely sold and touted as a cure for a host of illnesses. Many adoped it and swore by it. However, it couldn't hold up under even superficial scientific scrutiny.

We absolutely can recommend LC for disease prevention in the population at large. Based on no long-term scientific studies, and wholly tossing out millions of years of evolutionary adaptation, our government spends billions recommending we load up on carbohydrate in the name of "health." On the other hand, a diet of animal protein, vegetation, roots, nuts, and seasonal fruits has stood the test of time, and has been tossed out on rather unscientific grounds, to the point of being villified.

I see no reason to apply scientific methodology to justify a recommendation to follow our human default diet, just because the deviation has become the dominant paradigm. Low carbohydrate eating is not comparable to "snake oil" in that it is not an invention. On the other hand, carbohydrate-laden highly processed foods ARE the snake oil of our day. Really, they are, with all the promises of good health and disease prevention that somehow land on the box of low-fat, whole-grain sugar-sweetened cereal.

[Abby]

Yellobrix, I don't doubt for a moment the power of a LC diet, as least for you and me. However, proponents of the Mediterranean Diet, which is high carb, make the same claims as the low carb crowd on this forum; they feel that THEIR woe is associated with a reduced risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality, a reduced incidence of cancer and cancer mortality, and a reduced incidence of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

Can everyone be right? Sure, but you have to produce EVIDENCE to back your claims. Never confuse love for reality. The ancients over 12,000 years ago swore by trepanation of skulls to relieve headaches. Hey, it made sense to let those evil "vapors" and "spirits" out of those heads. Incredibly, most folks who underwent the procedure did survive, but I wonder if their headaches persisted.

We certainly know that obesity is a plague upon humanity. However, the jury is still OUT around the idealized diet for man.

[clackley]

Originally Posted by Yellobrix

We absolutely can recommend LC for disease prevention in the population at large. Based on no long-term scientific studies, and wholly tossing out millions of years of evolutionary adaptation, our government spends billions recommending we load up on carbohydrate in the name of "health." On the other hand, a diet of animal protein, vegetation, roots, nuts, and seasonal fruits has stood the test of time, and has been tossed out on rather unscientific grounds, to the point of being villified.

I see no reason to apply scientific methodology to justify a recommendation to follow our human default diet, just because the deviation has become the dominant paradigm. Low carbohydrate eating is not comparable to "snake oil" in that it is not an invention. On the other hand, carbohydrate-laden highly processed foods ARE the snake oil of our day. Really, they are, with all the promises of good health and disease prevention that somehow land on the box of low-fat, whole-grain sugar-sweetened cereal.

I think it is important that when the word "we" comes into play it need not be, nor should be organizations including and most importantly, those that are responsible for the current 'conventional wisdom' of low fat and high carb. We have witnessed the devastating consequences of that 'health advise'.

[Spanilingo]

I'm very interested in these studies as I suffer from migraines and doctors/ researchers have been finding corelation between migraines and seizures. There are similar triggers and cures. I have been on antiseizure medications to treAt my migraines.

Specifically , it's ketosis that prevents the seizures ... I recall having very few migraines when on vlc.... I thought it was wheat but have done some experiments but am more inclined to think it is actually ketosis that prevents the migraines

Thanks fir the article !!

[Arctic_Mama]

Ketogenic diets are therapeutic for a number of conditions and there have been more studies than just this one to corroborate that finding. But as was mentioned here, the 'why' of some of these cannot be right defined. They have observed the effect of ketosis on various hormones and the nervous system, but the actual mechanisms at work haven't been fleshed out enough to offer more than hypotheses.

Unfortunately it is going to take a huuuuge paradigm shift for allopathic medicine to begin recommending ketogenic diets as treatment for brain and metabolic conditions like hypertension, type II diabetes, or yes, even epilepsy, but it is slowly moving that direction as a few dedicated researchers keep pushing for more studies in this area.

In the meantime, we can enjoy our very real and very scientifically unsubstantiated results, right?

[NineOhNine]

Trepanation relieves pressure on a swelling brain; similar surgical measures are used today.

I'm with those who believe prevention is better and more reliable than most potential cures, so I'm inclined toward a low-carbohydrate diet going on the data available to me now (See Cynthia Kenyon, for one). As far as snake oil and anecdotal cures, I'm all for what produces positive results with the fewest side effects--if that's a placebo it's fine with me.

[Abby]

Originally Posted by Spanilingo

I recall having very few migraines when on vlc.... I thought it was wheat but have done some experiments but am more inclined to think it is actually ketosis that prevents the migraines

Other folks on VLC and LC have widely reported a decrease in migraine frequency as well. Depakote ( an anticonvulsant) has been approved by the FDA for migraine relief for several years; other anticonvulsants like Topamax, Neurontin, Trileptal, etc. have been used off-label with fair success as well. The mechanism involved in ketogenic protection is certainly unclear but on an anecdotal basis, it appears to hold up. Unfortunately, there are no large scale studies to scientifically support its use.

[SoHappy]

Food and diet as medicine and treatment is pretty fascinating.

Remember Lorenzo's Oil? A movie was made about the child that was helped by this specific blend. Lorenzos Oil is a combination of two fats extracted from olive oil and rapeseed oil. Who would have guessed?

[DeltaSierra]

Originally Posted by Abby

Other folks on VLC and LC have widely reported a decrease in migraine frequency as well. Depakote ( an anticonvulsant) has been approved by the FDA for migraine relief for several years; other anticonvulsants like Topamax, Neurontin, Trileptal, etc. have been used off-label with fair success as well. The mechanism involved in ketogenic protection is certainly unclear but on an anecdotal basis, it appears to hold up. Unfortunately, there are no large scale studies to scientifically support its use.

As a chronic migraine sufferer, I do get them less often when I'm VLC. My fiance is the same way and he suffers them way more often than I do.

[ldmom]

I take Topamax and Keppra for my epilepsy. I asked my neurologist about how Ketogenic diets would help with my seizures and he said their was no significant proof "in his opinion" that it would help with my seizures.

[Spanilingo]

Originally Posted by ldmom

I take Topamax and Keppra for my epilepsy. I asked my neurologist about how Ketogenic diets would help with my seizures and he said their was no significant proof "in his opinion" that it would help with my seizures.

Is that because you are an adult? I am sure he is familiar with The Johns Hopkins Ketogenic Diet for Seizures as it is pretty well researched with pretty solid proof from one of medicine's most prestigious and highly regarded universities. However, it is for children specifically..... I am curious why it is approved for children and not for adults.
Here is a link:

The Ketogenic Diet Center | The Johns Hopkins Epilepsy Center

[Yellobrix]

Ketogenic diets are a treatment for epilepsy have been acknowledged in medical literature for more than 2000 years. Some historical information: History of the Ketogenic Diet

Several ancient Greek medical texts note the connection between fasting and relief from seizures. Ketogenic diets were studied quite a bit in the early 1900's thru the 1920's as a treatment for epilepsy, and such were the treatment of choice until pharmaceutical treatments became available.

It's more effective by far in children, so I don't think it's that you "can't" use it for adults, just that it doesn't deliver the same results.

[GreytMuse]

What great posts -- I learn something every day on this forum!