Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet primarily used to treat difficult-to-control (refractory) epilepsy in children. The diet mimics aspects of starvation by forcing the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates.

What is the Ketogenic Diet?

The ketogenic diet is a special diet designed to help children with epilepsy that fails to respond adequately to routine anti-epileptic medications. A typical ketogenic diet is made up of the following...

Ketogenic Diet and Epilepsy

History of the Ketogenic Diet

Ketogenic Diet Efficacy

Ketogenic Diet Indications and Contra-Indications

Ketogenic Diet Mechanism

Ketogenic Diet Side Effects

Ketogenic Diet Types

Ketosis and the Keto Diet

Best and Worst Foods to Eat on the Ketogenic Diet

Ketogenic Diet and Aging

Does the Keto Diet Increase the Risk of Diabetes?

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Is the Ketogenic Diet Good or Bad for Migraines?

Latest Ketogenic Diet News and Research

CMS121 holds promise for treating metabolic diseases

A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 6, entitled, "CMS121: a novel approach to mitigate aging-related obesity and metabolic dysfunction."

9 Apr 2024

Ketogenic diet offers hope for infants with drug-resistant epilepsy

A ketogenic diet, which is low in carbohydrates and high in fat, shows promise as an alternative treatment option for infants with drug-resistant epilepsy, finds a new study led by researchers at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH).

4 Apr 2024

Ketogenic diet can be a powerful aid in treating mental illness

For people living with serious mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, standard treatment with antipsychotic medications can be a double-edged sword.

1 Apr 2024

Ketogenic diet delays the early stages of Alzheimer's-related memory loss in mice

A new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis, shows a ketogenic diet significantly delays the early stages of Alzheimer's-related memory loss in mice.

19 Mar 2024

Hope for PDCD and Cure Mito Foundation unveil joint patient registry

Cure Mito Foundation and Hope for PDCD foundation, both patient-led foundations focused on advancing research and supporting families affected by Leigh syndrome and Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency (PDCD), respectively, are excited to announce a launch of a PDCD patient registry.

18 Mar 2024

The balance and variety approach to navigating diet culture

With so many types of diets being promoted online and on social media, a leading dietitian says flexibility is more sustainable than a rigid diet plan.

12 Mar 2024

Can dietary patterns impact stomach cancer risk?

Eating patterns and indices related to gastric cancer and explored their association with stomach cancer risk.

22 Feb 2024

Ketogenic diet boosts brain's natural calm to combat epilepsy

A study in Cell Discovery shows the ketogenic diet increases brain GABA levels and the GABA/glutamate ratio through β-hydroxybutyric acid, offering a potential mechanism for its effectiveness in reducing epilepsy seizures.

15 Feb 2024

Ketogenic diet shows promise in curbing cravings in alcohol use disorder patients

Study found that a ketogenic diet (KD) significantly increased serum beta-hydroxybutyrate levels, suggesting nutritional ketosis, and showed a trend towards reducing self-reported alcohol craving and a neurobiological craving signature (NCS) for alcohol in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), indicating its potential to modulate alcohol craving.

14 Feb 2024

Gut health linked to Alzheimer's progression, study suggests diet as potential therapy

Study reviews the intricate relationship between diet, gut microbiome diversity, and Alzheimer’s disease progression, suggesting gut health could play a key role in managing the disease.

3 Feb 2024

Study observes rapid immune response in individuals switching to vegan and keto diets

Researchers evaluated the impact of vegan and ketogenic diets on immune response and gut microbiota in humans.

1 Feb 2024

From gut to brain: How diet can influence Alzheimer's and Parkinson's outcomes

Diet modification and alterations in the intestinal microbial population could impact the disease course of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

23 Jan 2024

CGRP antagonists and dietary changes show promise for migraine treatment

Review in "Medicina" explores advancements in migraine therapy, highlighting the role of CGRP antagonists and dietary interventions like ketogenic and low-glycemic diets in reducing migraine frequency and severity.

17 Jan 2024

Ketogenic diet proved to be effective at controlling polycystic kidney disease

It's official: The ketogenic diet proved to be effective at controlling polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in the first randomized controlled clinical trial of ketogenic metabolic therapy for PKD.

11 Dec 2023

Can ketogenic diet offer an effective alternative to antiseizure medication in infants with drug-resistant epilepsy?

The effectiveness of ketogenic diets in lowering seizure frequency among newborns.

5 Dec 2023

Pigeon virus causes fatal neurological disease in young leukemia patient

A case report details a fatal neurologic disease in an immunocompromised toddler caused by pigeon avian paramyxovirus, underscoring the effectiveness of metagenomic testing in diagnosing complex infectious diseases.

19 Nov 2023

Experts shed light on how autism affects the diagnosis, treatment of epilepsy and vice versa

Compared with the general population, epilepsy is more common in people with autism-;and autism is more common in people with epilepsy. How can autism affect the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, and vice versa? Joy Mazur spoke to Dr. Colin Reilly and Dr. Stéphane Auvin.

17 Nov 2023

Ketogenic diets and diabetes: A promising match or a questionable pair?

A recent research article in "Diabetes Therapy" examines the effectiveness of ketogenic diets in managing Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. Despite potential benefits like weight loss and improved glycemic control, the study highlights unresolved issues and the need for more extensive research before incorporating ketogenic diets into clinical guidelines for diabetes management.

16 Nov 2023

Amelia Lavenski's seizure-free journey with the ketogenic diet

Amelia Lavenski is a 4-year-old girl from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, who has a bright personality and loves laughing and Mickey Mouse.

15 Nov 2023

Rat study suggests hemodialysis plus ketogenic diet could enhance cancer treatment

The study in Scientific Reports investigates the potential of hemodialysis (HD) to sustain elevated blood ketone levels in rats on a ketogenic diet, exploring its use as an adjunct in cancer treatment. Results show that HD maintains ketone levels while reducing glucose and insulin, suggesting a possible enhancement in cancer treatment efficacy.

13 Nov 2023