People with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures who followed a low-carb diet for six weeks lost more weight than those eating a normal healthy diet, even though both groups received the same level of medical support.
Evidence from Studies
No evidence studies found yet.
What Would Prove This
Per GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this claim, ordered from strongest to weakest.
Whether Modified Atkins Diet leads to greater weight loss than control diets in adults with PNES across multiple trials, accounting for baseline BMI and dietary adherence.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials comparing Modified Atkins Diet to active control diets in adults with PNES, using change in body weight or BMI as the primary outcome, with minimum 8-week duration and standardized dietary adherence monitoring.
Whether the Modified Atkins Diet causes greater weight loss than an isocaloric control diet in adults with PNES over 12 weeks.
A double-blind RCT with 120 adults with PNES, randomized 1:1 to Modified Atkins Diet (20g net carbs/day) or an isocaloric, matched macronutrient control diet, with primary outcome being change in body weight measured by calibrated scale at baseline and 12 weeks, with daily food logs and weekly check-ins.
Whether long-term adherence to a Modified Atkins Diet predicts sustained weight loss in adults with PNES, independent of changes in physical activity or psychotherapy.
A prospective cohort study following 200 adults with PNES over 12 months, tracking dietary patterns via food logs and ketone testing, and measuring monthly weight changes while adjusting for physical activity, medication use, and psychotherapy frequency.
Whether adults with PNES currently on a Modified Atkins Diet have lower body weight than those on other diets at a single point in time.
A cross-sectional survey of 500 adults with PNES comparing current body weight or BMI between those on a Modified Atkins Diet (≥8 weeks) and those on any other diet, controlling for age, sex, and duration of illness.
Whether individual patients with PNES experience marked weight loss after starting a Modified Atkins Diet, suggesting potential for further study.
A case series documenting detailed weight trajectories and dietary adherence in 15–20 adults with PNES before and after initiating a Modified Atkins Diet, with no control group.