<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Below is a summary of the responses to "Epilepsy, The Ketogenic Diet, and CD". But first, let me make a few points. There are numerous articles are the ketogenic diet, the abstracts of which can be reviewed by entering "ketogenic diet" in the search window of PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi These articles make it clear that the mechanism which makes the ketogenic diet work is UNKNOWN. The 75 year old THEORY behind the diet is based on the effects of ketones produced by the body during conditions of fasting or starvation. The ketogenic diet attempts to induce that starvation state of ketone production. Some recent studies in mice suggest that acetone and other such chemicals may have an anticonvulsant effect. Studies also confirm that a significant percentage of epileptic patients have a reduction or elimination of seizures when placed on the ketogenic diet. As I have previously indicated, the ketogenic diet forbids sugar and starch and is, therefore, also a gluten-free diet. The elimination of gluten in some epileptic patients with celiac disease has also resulted in a significant reduction or elimination of seizures. To date, there have been absolutely NO studies which consider that the ketogenic diet IS a gluten- free diet. It is, therefore, impossible to determine whether the effects of the ketogenic diet are due to ketones, gluten, or some other cause. Controlled studies are needed to see if a gluten-free diet alone will work in place of the ketogenic diet. Certainly, it is wise to screen any epileptic candidate for celiac disease before being placed on the ketogenic diet. In addition, gluten itself, outside of celiac disease, has been demonstrated to cause the production of free radicals, IgE, and IgG. So even if a test for CD is negative, gluten still may be a factor in epileptic seizures. Item #47065 (26 Jun 2003 21:26) - A Role For Antioxidant Therapy in CD? http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?A2=ind0306D&L=celiac&P=R3889 By the way, I found this recent dissertation on the internet which has some discussion on epilepsy and CD: Neurological Manifestations in Celiac Disease http://acta.uta.fi/pdf/951-44-5681-5.pdf ---------- The responses: ---------- Interesting that you should mention this, Roy. I had the exact same thoughts. Jaki S. __________ Having a child with CD and epilepsy I looked into this diet, as we had a recognised ketogenic diet therapist in Australia recently, I am also a member of the Epilepsy Assn. It behoves me to state that this diet is only used with children whose seizures cannot be controlled by medication, it has to be done within a hospital environment so that the child's nutritional intake can be monitored, and is only used until their seizures are able to be controlled. Having said all of that, my daughter's neuroligist, who is the leading expert in Australia on Parkinson's Disease, has stated that diet plays a far greater role than is appreciated. My daughter is on a great dose of Carbamazepine per day to control her epileptic seizures, caused by CD, but,because the medication works, and her gluten free diet does, the Ketogenic diet would not. But, once again, she does not have uncontrolled seizures. Sylvia ---------- Hi Roy, I always enjoy reading your very informative posts. Thank you. We raised the same possibility in Dangerous Grains. Best Wishes, Ron Hoggan co-author of Dangerous Grains ---------- Roy-- I had wanted to contact him [Jim Abrahams] and see if his son/ family had been tested for gluten issues, since we know the incidence of epilepsy in CD and wonder if he does. Helen RN ---------- I've seen the ketogenic diet used a few times. It is not lightly undertaken, and used only with patients who have seizures that are totally unresponsive to any other medical treatment (in other words, are seizing all the time). You approached it as a money making deal ("the real reason is to protect the profit interests of clinics") which is no where near the truth. There is ALOT of monitoring of blood and urine chemistries and it would be a very dangerous thing to undertake, just 'because there is no wheat'. The ketogenic diet is a LAST RESORT for these kids (I work in pediatrics); cheating was not a problem, because they were so impaired by their seizures that 'sneaking a cookie' was not even on the horizon. Susan B., RN ---------- The ketogenic diet works by putting the child into ketoacidosis, which has nothing to do with gluten intake. The connection between celiac and epilepsy is usually caused by calcifications in the brain, and the seizures usually come from the base of the brain. The reason that I know this is that I am celiac, my 6 year old has the gene, but not the disease, and she also has epilepsy. Her epilepsy is frontal lobe, therefore, not caused by celiac (plus she has no calcifications). I did a consult with Johns Hopkins, and they suggested the ketogenic diet, but we did not go this route because she has many food allergies, the highest being milk. (the main staple of the ketogenic diet is heavy cream) Hope this helps! Lisa * * * * Send administrative questions to [log in to unmask] *