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Prospective study of the modified atkins diet in combination with a ketogenic liquid supplement during the initial

Eric H Kossoff1, Jennifer L Dorward, Zahava Turner

  • 1The John M. Freeman Pediatric Epilepsy Center, Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA. ekossoff@jhmi.edu

Journal of Child Neurology
|September 14, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Adding a ketogenic supplement to the modified Atkins diet for one month significantly improved seizure reduction in children with intractable epilepsy. The benefits persisted after the supplement was stopped.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Intractable childhood epilepsy often requires specialized dietary interventions.
  • The modified Atkins diet (MAD) is a recognized treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy.
  • Stricter initial dietary phases may enhance treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of a ketogenic supplement added to the modified Atkins diet in the initial month of treatment for intractable childhood epilepsy.
  • To assess seizure reduction rates and the impact on ketogenic ratio.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 30 children with intractable epilepsy.
  • Participants were initiated on the modified Atkins diet combined with a daily 400-calorie ketogenic supplement (KetoCal shake) for the first month.
  • Seizure reduction, ketogenic ratio, and ketosis markers were monitored.

Main Results:

  • At one month, 80% of children achieved >50% seizure reduction, with 37% experiencing >90% reduction.
  • The ketogenic supplement increased daily fat intake and the ketogenic ratio (1.8:1 vs. 1.0:1, P = .0002).
  • Efficacy was maintained in the second month after discontinuing the supplement; no significant change in ketosis was observed.

Conclusions:

  • The addition of a ketogenic supplement to the modified Atkins diet during the initial month shows promise for improving seizure control in pediatric epilepsy.
  • This approach may offer a more effective induction phase for the modified Atkins diet.
  • Further research can explore long-term adherence and optimal integration of supplements.

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