Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
23 Feb 2004 08:35 PST
There does not seem to be a great deal of information on this topic as
it pertains to humans (although there are numerous suggestive animal
studies). However, a Dr. Yudkoff in Philadephia appears to be an
authority on this topic, as reflected in the following article:
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J Neurosci Res. 2001 Dec 1;66(5):931-40.
Ketogenic diet, amino acid metabolism, and seizure control.
Yudkoff M, Daikhin Y, Nissim I, Lazarow A, Nissim I.
Division of Child Development and Rehabilitation
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th St. and Civic Center Blvd.,
Philadelphia, PA 19104
The ketogenic diet has been utilized for many years as an adjunctive
therapy in the management of epilepsy, especially in those children
for whom antiepileptic drugs have not permitted complete relief. The
biochemical basis of the dietary effect is unclear... We present
evidence that ketosis can lead to the following: 1) a diminution in
the rate of glutamate transamination...2) enhanced conversion of
glutamate to GABA; and 3) increased uptake of neutral amino acids into
the brain...The result is increased release from the brain of
glutamate...We consider mechanisms by which such changes might lead to
the antiepileptic effect.
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By the way, Dr. Yudkoff's email address is given as: yudkoff@email.chop.edu
There are a few articles (not many) of a similar nature that related
dietary strategies to GABA concentrations and siezure control. I'd be
glad to post summaries of these articles as an answer to your
question, if that would be of interest to you.
The articles seem to stress adopting dietary measures to influence
GABA concentrations. I have not seen any information regarding direct
GABA supplements, or recommending particular products. I'm not sure I
can provide any information on this particular aspect of your
question.
Let me know your thoughts on all this. And best of luck to you.
pafalafa-ga
