Aug 1, 2014 (Started Jul 15, 2008)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (reduction in body fat, weight loss)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Somewhat hard to take
Dosage: 1 other Daily
Cost: $200+ monthly

May 30, 2013 (Started Jul 15, 2008)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (reduction in body fat, weight loss)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: 1 other Daily
Advice & Tips: Initiation of the diet was complicated, as there was no provision for a registered dietician to assist in this country. I organised the diet myself, using consultants from the University of South Florida and also from the bodybuilding fraternity that had used ketogenic diets for adults over long periods. Previous anti-epilepsy medication (AEDs) had side-effect for me, which included food intolerances - of dairy, wheat, yeast, MSG, sugar, soy, red meats, citrus and nightshades. I was running out of things I could eat! The ketogenic diet that was devised for me - and that I have followed for 5 years - could not include any of these food groups.
Cost: $200+ monthly

Jan 31, 2013 (Started Jul 15, 2008)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: 1 other Daily
Advice & Tips: I set up a ketogenic diet to manage seizures with the help of an internet community, who had used similar diets and adherence during their preparation for bodybuilding competitions: this often lasted for over 12 weeks. Traditional (medical) ketogenic diets that are established for children involve high quantities of dairy foods which I cannot eat, owing to food intolerances that developed during my adherence to anti-epilepsy drugs. These food intolerances remain 5 years after I stopped taking AEDs. I currently have 2 members of my family that are being investigated for celiac disease (lactose/gluten intolerance) which might point to a genetic disposition to these food difficulties.
Cost: $200+ monthly

Nov 20, 2011 (Started Jul 15, 2008)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (reduction in body fat, weight loss)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Somewhat hard to take
Dosage: 1 other Daily
Cost: $200+ monthly

Nov 12, 2011 (Started Jul 15, 2008)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for epilepsy)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (reduction in body fat, weight loss)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: 1 other Daily
Advice & Tips: This has had a major impact on the quality of my life: seizure frequency has decreased significantly. Recovery time from seizure (post ictal) has decreased. Memory has improved. Mental lucidity has improved. NOTE that I have maintained a strict exercise routine in addition to a ketogenic diet to ensure that bone density (strength training) and lipid profile (cardiovascular fitness) remain healthy.
Cost: $200+ monthly
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