Dietary Therapies

Dietary therapy is an approach to help control seizures, usually in conjunction with seizure medications.

• The classic ketogenic diet, a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, is prescribed and monitored by a physician and nutritionist and can help control seizures in some people. It can help both children and adults with refractory seizures.
• Additionally, the modified Atkins Diet, which has some similar components to the traditional ketogenic diet, can be effective.

This section presents information and monthly updates about these dietary therapies and others (like the Low Glycemic Index treatment) and how they might be helpful to people with epilepsy.

Factsheet

Download this factsheet to learn about the 4 major types of dietary therapy used to treat epilepsy, including the ketogenic diet, Medium-chain triglyceride diet (MCT), Modified Atkins Diet (MAD), and Low Glycemic Index Treatment (LGIT).

• Dietary Therapies