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Ketogenic Diet: Fatty Foods a Cure for Epilepsy?
CBN ^ | Wednesday, February 03, 2010 | By Lorie Johnson

Posted on 02/06/2010 8:47:51 AM PST by GonzoII

Today, Max Irvine enjoys life as a normal, 4-year-old boy. But just last year, more than 100 daily epileptic seizures were deteriorating his brain.

His family's strong and a unique medical diet is what saved the young boy's life.

"Last November he basically stopped talking and walking and he started losing all of his skills," Max's mom, Kristine Irvine, recalled.

"There were times when I prayed to God to either make him better, or take him home," his father, Troy Irvine, added. "Because I just couldn't stand to see him going through what he was going through. There were many times when I asked God to give it to me."

Max seemed to be in perfect health until his seizures began at age 2. His doctor offered little hope.

"He told us that our son would be mentally challenged the rest of his life and that all we could do was put him on a bunch of good strong medicines," Troy said.

"He was just miserable. And we, a lot of times prayed, we didn't even know what to pray for," Kristine said. "Some days people would ask us and we'd say pray for a miracle"

The Irvines brought their son to the world-famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and joined forces with Dr. Elaine Wirrell, who specializes in child epilepsy.

Wirrell kept Max on his usual medication, but also added a "ketogenic diet," which was 80 percent fat - an unconventional choice even within the medical community.

"We think it probably stabilizes the nerve cells themselves. By using the high fat, it stabilizes the energy level in the brain, and helps the seizures," Dr. Wirrell explained. "There's also some evidence that certain types of fats, polyunsaturated fatty acids, are good for the brain."

[Video at link]

(Excerpt) Read more at cbn.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Science
KEYWORDS: epilepsy; medical; research
God made fat to eat...
1 posted on 02/06/2010 8:47:51 AM PST by GonzoII
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To: GonzoII

or wear.


2 posted on 02/06/2010 8:50:20 AM PST by gussiefinknottle (woof!woof!woof!)
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To: GonzoII

Most of the good vitamins are fat soluble. If you cut fat out of your diet, you cut out most of the nutrition too.


3 posted on 02/06/2010 8:50:50 AM PST by DannyTN
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To: GonzoII

Jack Sprat could eat no fat,
His wife could eat no lean.
And so,
Betwixt them both,
They licked the plate clean.

(I’m in Jack Sprat’s camp. My gallbladder revolts when I eat too much fat!)


4 posted on 02/06/2010 8:56:43 AM PST by BelleAl
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To: GonzoII

The GARD diet of Dr John Symes or the GAPS diet of Dr. Martinna Campbell-McBride would work better.

www.dogtorj.com

or

gapsdiet.com

And epilepsy is not the only chronic condition that these diets fix.

Cheers!


5 posted on 02/06/2010 8:58:52 AM PST by blackpacific
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To: DannyTN
"Most of the good vitamins are fat soluble. If you cut fat out of your diet, you cut out most of the nutrition too."

Yes. You can live fine with zero carbs; eskimos do. But if you cut out all fat from your diet, you will die. Fat is a transport mechanism among many other things.

Somewhere, Robert Atkins smiles.
6 posted on 02/06/2010 9:07:14 AM PST by RightOnTheLeftCoast (Obama: running for re-election in '12 or running for Mahdi now? [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahdi])
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To: GonzoII

Amazing!


7 posted on 02/06/2010 9:13:45 AM PST by rawhide
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To: GonzoII
This has been known for decades, but the ketone bodies don't work in the same manner as common anticonvulsant drugs:

http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/54/2/325

It'll be interesting when they find out exactly how it _does_ work, it could be as simple as ketones just providing less energy to the brain.

8 posted on 02/06/2010 9:21:51 AM PST by gura (R-MO)
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To: DannyTN
"If you cut fat out of your diet, you cut out most of the nutrition too."

And the great taste!

9 posted on 02/06/2010 9:26:23 AM PST by GonzoII ("That they may be one...Father")
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To: GonzoII

Our brains need fat/cholesterol to function. People who adhere to low-fat diets tend to suffer disproportionately higher rates of depression and other mental illnesses. God gave us butter, whole milk, cream, steak...enjoy! It’s good for you!


10 posted on 02/06/2010 9:41:13 AM PST by Spudx7
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To: GonzoII

This diet saved my kid’s life and mind. It was like a miracle.


11 posted on 02/06/2010 9:47:23 AM PST by Mad Dawg (Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.)
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To: GonzoII

This isn’t a new idea. It’s been around for decades. Today’s food police will be the end of us all.


12 posted on 02/06/2010 9:50:09 AM PST by bgill (The framers of the US Constitution established an entire federal government in 18 pages.)
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To: GonzoII
it is not recommended for improving the brain functions of healthy individuals.

Most every low carb forum site will have postings about the diet clearing up brain sluggishness and that they are more alert.

13 posted on 02/06/2010 9:57:55 AM PST by bgill (The framers of the US Constitution established an entire federal government in 18 pages.)
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To: GonzoII

Like so many farmers, my grandma drank (very high fat)whole milk and lived to be 97.


14 posted on 02/06/2010 10:09:21 AM PST by Finalapproach29er (Obama will sink as fast as he rose. Idolatry will not succeed. Be patient, folks...)
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To: gura

They were putting some kids with intractable seizures on a ketogenic diet over 20 years ago when I started out working in the hospital; nothing new here.


15 posted on 02/06/2010 10:11:12 AM PST by Born Conservative ("I'm a fan of disruptors" - Nancy Pelosi)
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To: Born Conservative
Gotta put in my two cents. Had a late lunch about an hour ago. Two fried pork chops. That's all. Two weeks ago I went back on the Atkins diet. Have lost 10 lbs. I was getting too fat and was having much problems with stomach acid. Already feeling much more energetic and the acid problem is almost gone. Carbs are like drugs for me. I'm addicted to them and it only takes one bite of sugar to send me back to the fat farm, and lousy health. I should learn better. I was happy to read in Sarah's book that she loves meat. Wish I had access to some of her Moose and Caribou.

Love the story of the child and his recovery, and especially the post that mentioned Jesus talking about the fasting and prayer. So many things we learn (re-learn) are found in the Scriptures.

16 posted on 02/06/2010 12:54:27 PM PST by WVNan (.)
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To: BelleAl

Funny thing I had gallbladder attact many years ago was in the hospital for about 11 days until it reduce I could not have water just swabs and IV.

Well now I eat bacon, cheese, chicken, beef regular whole dairy.

So it is not fat I do stay away from anything like too peanut butter body has a hard time with that kind of texture

Yes the pain seem unbearable for days!

BTW still have my gallbladder


17 posted on 02/08/2010 4:28:02 PM PST by restornu (Teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves! ~ Joseph Smith)
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