Ketogenic diet

 The ketogenic diet, high in protein, fat-rich and is low in carbohydrates is commonly used in medicine to treat epilepsy in children who are difficult-to-control or refractory. The diet forces the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates.Normally carbohydrates in food are converted into glucose, which is then transported around the body and is important in fueling brain function. If there is not enough carbohydrates in the diet the liver converts fat into fatty acids, or ketone bodies. These acidic fatty acids then get passed to the brain, where they replace glucose as a source of energy. A high amount of ketosis (ketone bodies) in the blood ultimately reduces seizures caused by epilepsy. Half of epileptic children and adolescents who tried this diet experienced decreased seizures. The effects persist long after the diet is ended. The side effects could include constipation and high cholesterol, growth slowing acidosis, kidney stones.