The keto diet is low in carbohydrates and protein and very high in fat. Evidence suggests that it can reduce the frequency of seizures, and some people with epilepsy who follow the diet stop experiencing seizures altogether.

Typically, people who try the diet for this purpose are also taking antiepileptic medications.

However, the keto diet may be especially effective for children with refractory epilepsy, which does not respond to medical treatment. Modified versions of the diet may be more suitable for adolescents and adults.

It is crucial to note that a medical professional should monitor anyone using a keto diet to help control epilepsy. This is to ensure that the person is dieting safely and getting the most benefits. Medical supervision is especially important for infants and other children.

In this article, we explore the potential benefits of the keto diet for adults and children with epilepsy.

According to a 2019 review, the keto diet appears to reduce or prevent seizures in children and adults with drug resistant or refractory epilepsy.

The Epilepsy Foundation recommend the diet as a potential treatment for refractory epilepsy.

They report that more than half of children with refractory epilepsy who follow a ketogenic diet experience at least a 50% reduction in the number of seizures. Moreover, according to the same source, about 1015% of these children stop experiencing seizures.

When a person is on the keto diet, their body does not receive enough carbohydrates to burn for energy, so it must use fat instead.

Burning fat for fuel causes acids called ketones to build up in the body. When this occurs, the body is in ketosis. To achieve this, a person must adhere to the diet for a significant period.

Ketosis also occurs during periods of fasting. As a 2013 study notes, people have used fasting as a seizure treatment for centuries, and scientists documented the effects of this approach into the 1920s. Even so, experts are still unsure how, precisely, ketosis or the keto diet helps people with epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a metabolic disease, and one theory is that the keto diet works by altering a person's metabolism.

Neurons, or hyperexcitable nerve cells, in the brain may contribute to the onset of seizures. The keto diet leads to metabolic changes in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid, and these changes, along with other factors, may decrease the excitability of neurons. This could have a stabilizing effect on seizures, according to experts.

The keto diet can take time to have an effect. In order to see the benefits, people should continue with it for at least 3 months after reaching ketosis.

It is very important that a healthcare professional monitors anyone using a keto diet for treatment. They can ensure that the diet is having safe effects and that the person's body is really going into ketosis.

Both children and adults with drug resistant epilepsy can benefit from a keto diet. It may be especially helpful for people with certain types of epilepsy, including:

The diet may also be effective for children with focal seizures.

Children of any age can follow a keto diet. Under the strict supervision of a doctor, a formula only keto diet may help control seizures in infants.

Parents and other caregivers should receive guidance on meal planning and cooking, and they should be aware of potential adverse reactions to the diet.

Doctors often do not recommend the classic keto diet to adolescents and adults because it can be difficult to maintain. They may instead recommend a modified keto diet that is more palatable and convenient.

Experts suggest that around 3040% of adults with epilepsy who follow a keto diet experience at least a 50% reduction in seizures.

However, fewer than 10% of these adults achieve a 90% reduction in seizures or stop experiencing them.

Anyone intending to use the keto diet to control epilepsy should be aware of the risks and possible additional benefits.

A modified keto diet may provide benefits beyond epilepsy management. Adults on the diet may experience improvements in:

Children and adults who follow keto diets must see their doctor or dietitian at least every 3 months. These regular visits are important for monitoring progress and growth and checking for any adverse effects of the diet.

Risks of a keto diet include:

Since the diet allows for few fruits, vegetables, grains, and other nutritious foods, supplementation with a carbohydrate-free multivitamin is essential.

Once a person has maintained control over their seizures for some time, their doctor may suggest coming off the diet. Doctors usually recommend doing so after a period of 2 years.

It is important to come off the diet gradually, over a period of several months or longer. Suddenly stopping the diet can cause seizures to get worse.

Some modified versions of the keto diet for epilepsy include:

At present, there is no evidence that any type of food generally triggers epilepsy seizures.

There is a rare type of epilepsy, called reflex epilepsy, in which certain foods can trigger seizures. These triggers vary from person to person.

Some people with epilepsy report that specific food additives can trigger seizures. Potential triggers include:

Some drinks can contribute to seizures or affect epilepsy medications.

These beverages may contain:

Anyone with concerns about how foods or drinks may be affecting their seizures or medications should speak to a doctor.

The keto diet may be an effective treatment for people with drug resistant epilepsy.

While the diet can be suitable for people of any age, children and infants may experience the greatest benefits because they can stick to the diet most easily.

Adolescents and adults may do better on a modified version of the keto diet, such as the modified Atkins diet or the low-glycemic index diet.

A healthcare provider should carefully monitor anyone using a keto diet as a treatment. This is especially crucial for children and particularly infants.

A doctor and dietitian can observe a person's progress, recommend supplements, and check for adverse effects.

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Epilepsy and the keto diet: Can diet help with seizures? - Medical News Today

In the big picture, the US pet food and treat industry continued to grow in 2019. That growth has garnered the attention of investors and some large human food manufacturing companies. Both General Mills with the acquisition of Blue Buffalo and J.M. Smucker Company with the acquisitions of Big Heart Pet Brands and Ainsworth Pet Nutrition are now embracing food and treats for pets as key business pillars delivering the growth required by their investors.

Pet food and treat brands are chasing consumer preferences of matching their own personal food philosophies with what they feed their pets, and brands are throwing tradition out the window and distributing to any and all channels in order to meet pet owners where they prefer to shop.

Additionally, the regulatory environment over the past 10 years has brought US pet food processing standards in line with human food manufacturing, increasing the pressure for pet food manufacturers to check and check again that their products can be made safely, consistently and efficiently.

All in all, global human food companies and investors holding more stake in the pet food market, an emerging omnichannel landscape, consumer-driven ingredient and formulation trends and regulatory challenges have proven that with growth comes growing pains, and pet food and treat brands are having to fine-tune their processes and products more than ever to stay competitive.

Traditional retail lines are becoming increasingly blurred in the US pet food and treat market with the rise of e-commerce and a shift among well-known premium brands, such as Blue Buffalo, from pet specialty to FDM channels.

Changing channels

With Blue Buffalo leading the pack, pet food and treat brands have strayed from their traditional sales channels either pet specialty, Food, Drug and Mass (FDM), or internet retailers to unapologetically meet customers where they shop.

Were focused on significantly expanding Blues availability so that pet parents can get the Blue products they want anywhere they shop for pet food, said Billy Bishop, Blue Buffalos founder and brand adviser, during General Mill Inc.s Sept. 18 earnings call covering the first quarter of its fiscal 2020 year. Minneapolis-based General Mills acquired Blue Buffalo in 2018.Pet food was a major focal point for the first time at PROCESS EXPO 2019, where a live production line churned out minimally processed kibble bites for freeze-drying or dehydration.

So far, this approach seems to be working for the super-premium brand. Blue Buffalo sales topped $368 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and were up 7% from year-ago sales. General Mills said retail sales for FDM customers who have carried Blue Buffalo for more than 12 months were up 50% versus last year. E-commerce sales for the pet food brand were up more than 20% in the first quarter as well, according to the company, which expects e-commerce growth to continue at 8% to 10% throughout fiscal 2020.

Unfortunately, as the company shifts focus toward FDM, Blue Buffalo sales in the pet specialty channel declined at a double-digit rate. To repair relationships with pet specialty customers, General Mills has launched a new super premium line, Carnivora, which will be sold exclusively in the pet specialty retail space. As brands are widening their product lines to offer exclusivity to certain channels, those channels are creating brands of their own.

High-end house brands

Until recently, independent pet specialty stores traditionally carried higher priced brands and the lower priced options were available in mass retail outlets. Those lines have begun to blur in the pet food and treat market. Traditional barriers are fading away and premium claims, such as high protein, grain-free and all-natural diets, continue to drive sales.

An increasingly wide variety of premium pet foods have become available through various mass and e-commerce channels, speeding up the mass premiumization of the market, according to Packaged Facts annual report, Pet Food in the U.S., 14th Edition.

House brands have dominated the low end of the pet food market for years, even in pet specialty stores, but this was before premium and super-premium products took over FDM retailer shelves, said Steve Mills, senior vice-president, customer brands and co-manufacturing at American Nutrition Inc.

Now that more premium and super-premium products are migrating from pet specialty to FDM shelves, it creates the opportunity for FDM retailers to create similar brand offerings of their own, Mills said. These new house brand pet foods have become top-shelf competitors and are attracting consumers with premium ingredients, functional claims and lower price points than top premium brands.

Jared Koerten, an analyst covering packaged foods for Euromonitor International, said millennials who favor both premium and value are helping drive this trend. Private label products are rising in the ranks in pet care, with retailers launching their own brands across all channels and categories. According to the Private Label Manufacturers Association, New York, store brands market penetration set all-time records in 2018, increasing dollar share and unit share at double-digit rates.

Novel proteinsAside from the use of alternative proteins such as nutritional yeast, cultured animal meat or plant-based substitutes some brands, like Phelps Pet Products, are embracing exotic animal proteins such as alligator, quail and wild boar for pet treats and food.

Good-for-the-planet brand claims seem to dominate the sustainability story of pet food, and novel proteins are nothing to bark at. Last October, Wild Earth, Inc., Berkeley, Calif., launched a dog treat line made with cultured koji (Aspergillus oryzae), an ancient Asian protein and member of the fungi kingdom containing all 10 amino acids essential for dogs. Then, in August 2019, the company launched a meatless complete-and-balanced diet for dogs that utilizes yeast protein as a main ingredient and source of protein.

In March 2019, Because Animals, Philadelphia, announced the development of pet treats containing lab-cultured meat a meat-alternative protein made from mice cells. The company, which already offers probiotic supplements for cats and dogs, released its first human-grade dog treat made with nutritional yeast in December 2019 and said it plans to debut a cultured mouse meat cat treat in early 2021.

Jiminys, a Berkeley, Calif.-based pet treat manufacturer using crickets as a sustainable source of protein, launched two complete-and-balanced insect-protein dog foods. Good Grub includes insect protein powder, while Cricket Crave includes cricket protein powder. Montreal-based dog food company Wilder Harrier offers an insect protein-based pet diet as well. Most of the diets protein comes from the inclusion of black soldier fly powder and oil, which is supplied from Canadian insect-rearing facilities.

As the market is introduced to the promise of new ingredients for pet diets, whether they are derived from yeast, lab-grown meats or insects, the pet food and treat industry is sticking to one important tradition: growth.

History of growth

For more than 10 years, the industry has delivered growth that keeps investors tails wagging. The American Pet Products Association (APPA), based in Stamford, Conn., said pet food has grown year over year since 2007 by at least 3.7% and as much as 10.7%.

Freshpet Inc. continued to see impressive growth in 2019, with other fresh, home-cooked style and minimally processed brands gaining traction with investors and consumers looking for pet food that more closely resembles their own diets.Although dry kibble still dominates the US pet food market with 72% of sales, according to consumer goods market research firm Packaged Facts, the increased focus on pet wellness has pet owners feeding a broader range of products to their pets.

While dollar sales for dog food continue to trump cat food sales, food for felines has grown and is projected by Packaged Facts to continue growing at a higher rate than dog food. In 2020, cat food sales are projected to grow 3.2% to $9.6 billion, while dog food sales are expected to grow 2.5% but still lead the pack with $19.2 billion. According to Euromonitor, the growth in global cat treatsales led the pack with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% between 2013 and 2018, followed by dog treats with a 5% CAGR during the same period.

Many new pet food formats, such as dehydrated or freeze-dried, are fetching premium prices, making them an attractive brand extension option. A 100% freeze-dried kibble recipe on average costs 1,587% more per pound than traditional dry kibble, according to Packaged Facts, with 100% freeze-dried costing an average of $32.55 per lb. and dry kibble averaging $1.93 per lb.

Pet food and treats with functional claims that promise to support joints, skin and coat health, endurance and digestion, just to name a few, are gaining in popularity. Mirroring the human food market, products containing hemp, including cannabidiol (CBD), are exploding and far outpacing the regulatory agencies policies on these ingredients just another area where this industry is breaking the rules.

As more traditionally premium and super-premium brands take an omnichannel approach, retailers both traditional and online are competing with house brands for shelf space or online position. Novel ingredients are grabbing the headlines, processors are learning how to navigate an increasingly complex market, and top brands are steering their products into sales success.

Competing with private label brands for shelf space or online position is just one more obstacle top pet food and treat companies must overcome in the modern market. Fortunately, US pet food manufacturers are in a strong position, owning nearly half of the global market. Processors are learning how to navigate an increasingly complex market and top brands are steering their products into sales success.

Keep up with the latest pet food trends on our Trends page.

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State of the US pet food and treat industry, 2019 - Pet Food Processing

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Its that time of the year when the members of O2 Health Studio the health division of Savera Hotel gear up for their annual Weight Loss Challenge programme. A month full of a well-balanced diet, rigorous workout and health goals the result is confidence, a self-esteem boost and a toned physique.

This is the sixth year were having this challenge. Its designed to make people active, eat better, and have fun safely and scientifically. This weight-loss challenge will help people reach their health goals, stay focused and motivated along with physical activities and weight-loss nutrition. What is unique to this programme is powerful team-building exercises. Fitness is a common resolution taken for New Year. We wanted our patrons to make the most out of this programme, said Nina Reddy, joint managing director of Savera Hotel and founder of O2 Health Studio.

Around 180 people participated. The Weight Loss Challenge started on November 18 at all outlets of O2 Health studio Ashok Nagar, Besant Nagar, Nungambakkam and OMR. A small group was formed with eight participants under each fitness trainer and they guide the participants towards their goal. A weekly review was regularly done. The winners were announced on Sunday at the end of the fourth week of their final assessment.

Siva Gurunathan won the mens category by losing 17 kg. Mekala and Aishwarya won in the womens category by losing 11 kg, each. The total weight lost by all the participants was 427 kg. Enjoying the sweet success of hard work, Siva, a software engineer said, It was a month full of dedication. I gave up on many cravings and indulged in healthy eating and exercises. I worked out four hours a day and went for work directly from the gym. I felt detoxed and light at the end of the programme. Of course, people criticised me and did not believe that it was possible to lose weight by staying focussed. I kept away from social media and put all my energy and anger in workouts. I feel confident about my body image now.Fitness trainers spoke about healthy habits and the benefits of working out to spread awareness. People who attended the event went home taking inspiration from the participants.

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Fitness, focus and fun - The New Indian Express

Diet is strongly linked to longevity. Leading health experts state that people who ate 20 percent more healthy foods over the course of 12 years, decreased their risk of early death by up to 17 percent. A certain diet incorporates foods commonly eaten by people in Nordic countries with several studies showing that eating this way may cause weight loss and improve health markers.

The Nordic diet is a way of eating that focuses on locally sourced foods in the Nordic countries including Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland.

The Nordic diet was created in 2004 by a group of nutritionists, scientists and chefs.

Compared to an average Western diet, the Nordic diet contains less sugar and fat but twice the fibre and seafood.

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What to eat on the Nordic diet?

The Nordic diet is very similar to the Mediterranean diet, however, the biggest difference is that it emphasises canola oil instead of extra virgin olive oil.

The diet emphasises traditional, sustainable and locally sourced foods with a heavy focus on those considered healthy.

The main principles of the diet includes eating often with foods such as fruits, berries, vegetables, legumes, potatoes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, rye bread and sea foods. Eat in moderation, rarely eat red meat and animal fat and dont eat sugar-sweetened beverages, added sugars, processed meats, food additives and refined fast foods.

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How to live longer: Best diet to increase life expectancy - foods to eat and avoid - Express

Athough eliminating is the hardest goodbye of all, low-carb diets have been the rage for quite some time now. There are a few different plans you can follow. Keto is a major one thats yielding quick, drastic weight-loss results for tons of people, and Paleo is another trendy plan. And then there are the tried-and-true low-carb classics, like the Atkins diet (this might be the first time youve heard that one in a while).

Both keto and Atkins are actually pretty similar when it comes to the amount of macronutrients (fat, carbs, protein) you should be consuming day to day, but what are the actual differences between the twoand which would be a better fit, nutritionally?

Of course you could just make your choice based on how much pasta youre able to eat, but nutrition experts do believe that one is a little bit better than the other for a few reasons. Two dietitiansNatalie Rizzo, MS, RD, a New York City-based registered dietitian, and Susan Piergeorge, MS, RDN, nutrition education manager for Rainbow Light and Natural Vitality CALMgive the lowdown on these high-fat, high-protein, low-carb eating styles. Their verdict, ahead.

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet that was originally developed to treat epilepsy, explains Piergeorge. Thats right, historically, it wasnt prescribed for extreme weight loss but to reduce blood sugaryou can hardly have any sugar on the dietwhich during the 1920s was thought to lower the risk of seizures. Now, the diet is a huge trend for weight loss as well as treating type 2 diabetes, Piergeorge adds.

Heres the basic formula: Fat accounts for 70 to 95 percent of the keto diet, while protein makes up 5 to 20 percent, and carbohydrates just 5 to 10 percent of what youre eating. It tends to bring on dramatic weight loss because youre consuming less than 50 grams of carbs a day on keto, ideally.

At this ratio, the body starts to burn fat. Once the bodys glucose stores become depleted, ketone bodies are produced (these are products of fatty acid oxidation in the liver) and provide an alternate source of energy, Piergeorge explains. Basically, fat, instead of sugar from carbs, becomes your bodys main energy sourceand when you're burning fat, you lose weight.

Once you read this, you may be tempted to devour an entire charcuterie platter. But the focus really is on healthy fats and lean meats, and supplementing those with fruits and vegetables in moderate amounts, since those are technically considered carbs.

Keto-friendly foods:

Foods to avoid on keto:

There are some potential health benefits you could experience by going keto. At the same time, the diet can have side effects, as explained below.

Health benefits of keto:

Cons of keto:

Well, if youre trying to lose weight and have tried many other avenues to do so, eating keto may be effective. If youre diabetic or pre-diabetic, it may also help lower your blood sugar since youre cutting out all that sugar.

And, Rizzo adds, it could be a fit for some athletes, too. Certain elements of the keto diet, like the emphasis on healthy fats and protein, is a good recommendation for active individuals who put a lot of wear and tear on their muscles and need more calories, Rizzo says. You have to make sure the fats you choose are healthy, omega-3-rich fats instead of saturated fats, and that you're choosing lean sources of protein.

Remember that before making a major lifestyle change, though, its best to check it out with your medical professional first. You dont want to end up feeling worse after making this dietary switch instead of better.

Though the Atkins diet basically peaked in the late 90s (didnt we all?), it was actually developed much earlier by Robert C. Atkins, a doctor who published his first book, Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution, in 1972, and then his most popular bestseller, Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, in 1995. Dr. Atkins intended on it being a way to cut carbs, of course, and reduce high blood pressure.

Basically, with Atkins, you generally have two paths you can choose from: Atkins 20 and Atkins 40, based on the grams of carbs you should be eating per day. Its also low in carbs, higher in fat, and higher in protein, which ideally should prompt the body to burn fat.

If youre trying to shave off more than 40 pounds, youd eat about 60 to 70 percent fat, 20 to 30 percent protein, and 5 to 10 percent carbs on Atkins 20 (youre allowed 20 grams of carbs a day), Rizzo explains.

If you would like to lose less than 40 pounds, go with Atkins 40. It consists of 55 to 65 percent fat, 20 to 30 percent protein, and 10 to 15 percent carbs. Youre allowed 40 grams of carbs per day, which is a bit easier when youre tallying up macros. Theres also Atkins 100, which is a slightly simpler plan that allows for 100 grams of carbs per day.

Like keto, Atkins focuses on lean protein, as well as healthy fats. Depending on the plan individuals follow, the plan emphasizes consuming protein at least three times per day in four to six ounce portions including meat, seafood, poultry and eggs, Piergeorge explains. Fats are encouraged, you want at least 3 tablespoons per day in the form of butter, mayonnaise, or olive or other vegetable oils, she adds.

Atkins-friendly foods:

Foods to avoid or limit on the Atkins diet:

Just like keto, there are potential health benefits of the Atkins diet, as well as side effect you should be aware of before you try it.

Health benefits of Atkins:

Cons of Atkins:

Like keto, it may help an individual drop some serious pounds if its done the right way. And it can help lower your blood sugar if you have type 2 diabetes or are pre-diabetic.

Also, counting macros can be a good way to really boost awareness of what youre putting in your body, especially if you are an athlete and want to make sure youre fueling properly for training. But, Piergeorge argues, a highly restrictive diet doesnt work for everyone, and you should consult a doctor or nutritionist before beginning this strict regimen.

Keto and Atkins may seem like the same thing when it comes to eating more fat and protein and less carbs and sugar, but there are some nuances you should keep in mind.

Keto and Atkins similarities:

Keto and Atkins differences:

Both keto and Atkins are highly restrictive diets, the experts point out, so it may be difficult to sustain these major lifestyle changes and cut out carbs for a long period of time.

Keto becomes tricky because it can be an unhealthy diet if you dont do it correctly, and consume too many unhealthy fats (were talking cured meats instead of avocado). I wouldnt necessarily recommend the keto diet because it has such a high percentage of fat and a low percentage of carbs. Its unsustainable in the long run, and there is too much of a tendency to eat a lot more saturated fat than you need, Rizzo says.

If she *had* to choose between these two highly restrictive eating regimens, shed choose Atkins because it allows for more carbs (in the form of fruits, veggies, and whole grains) and ultimately more leeway in your eating and more balance in your diet.

Atkins also gives you more wiggle room because you can choose the 20, 40, or 100 option for allotment of grams of carbs per day. That way, you can introduce a little more pasta into the mix if thats how you want to roll.

But its ultimately your decisionyoull be making the dietary changes so they have to fit with your lifestyle and make you feel happy and healthy. Changing your diet (and especially eliminating the majority of carbs from your diet) is not easy, and may take some trial and error, so its important to thoroughly research all of your options.

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Atkins Vs. Keto: Differences Between The Diets, According To RDs - Women's Health