Epilepsy and the Ketogenic Diet

A benchmark synthesis of the current state of the science and clinical practice of the ketogenic diet. On the basic science side, the authors review what is known about the basic biochemical mechanisms of action of the KD at the molecular level, spelling out in detail its complex interactions with nutrient components, neurodevelopment, brain biochemistry, and physiology. They also examine the effects of the KD on the metabolism of fats, amino acids, and carbohydrates in the central nervous system at both the macro and cellular levels. On the clinical side, physicians, dietitians, and nurses provide a full range of information concerning the treatment of seizures with KD, including a detailed assessment of the indications for, and the contraindications and/or complications that arise from, its use, detailed equations that permit the caregiver to calculate the actual amounts of different types of foods that can be included in daily diet plans, and documented information on the carbohydrate and calorie content of hundreds of commonly used drugs.