The ketogenic diet: one decade later.

John M. Freeman Pediatric Epilepsy Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287-7247, USA. jfreeman@jhmi.edu

The ketogenic diet, a high fat, adequate protein, low carbohydrate diet, has, during the past decade, had a resurgence of interest for the treatment of difficult-to-control seizures in children. This review traces its history, reviews its uses and side effects, and discusses possible alternatives and the diet's possible mechanisms of action. Finally, this review looks toward possible future uses of the ketogenic diet for conditions other than epilepsy.

PMID: 17332207 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]