A study at Leicester Royal Infirmary, led by  neurologist Dr Jayprakash Gosalakkal, has found that a high fat ketogenic diet halved the number of epileptic seizures suffered by children during the study.

High fat / low carbohydrate diets - similar to the Atkins Diet - suggests that eating plans should by made up in the majority of red meats, eggs and other high fat / high protein diets whilst eating little or no breads, pastas, starchy vegetables and fruit.

It is said that this style of diet 'tricks' the body into burning body fat rather than using carbohydrates as the main source of fuel. The term ketogenic comes from the fact that a high fat diet promotes the build up of ketones in the body. In epileptic suferers this discharge of ketones into the brain means that the number of seizures seems to be decreased.