Here's a very basic explanation:

The ketogenic diet is used in children (works best in kids under 8 years of
age) who have intractable seizures that are not controlled or are poorly
controlled on medications.

The diet is such that the fat to carbohydrate level is very high (lots of
fats, little carbohydrate) and has just enough protein for maintenance and
growth. This causes ketone body formation - the body begins to break down
fats for energy. The ketones are what causes the change in seizure
frequency, but scientists don't know the exactly why.

This diet is very exacting. I've had patients who we have not been able to
give standard medicines to because  the carbohydrates in a teaspoon of the
medicine would throw off the diet. Oski's Pediatrics (1999) estimates the
diet has positive effects in 1/3rd to 2/3rds of patients.

Gail S. Hertz, MD, IBCLC
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