The<unk>  is not considered a benign, holistic, or all-natural treatment. As with any serious medical therapy, it may result in complications, although these are generally less severe and less frequent than with anticonvulsant medication or surgery. Common but easily treatable short-term side effects include constipation, low-grade acidosis, and hypoglycaemia if an initial fast is undertaken. Raised levels of lipids in the blood affect up to 60% of children and cholesterol levels may increase by around 30%. This can be treated by changes to the fat content of the<unk> , such as from saturated fats towards polyunsaturated fats, and if persistent, by lowering the<unk>  ratio. Supplements are necessary to counter the<unk> ary deficiency of many micronutrients. Long-term use of the<unk>  in children increases the risk of slowed or stunted growth, bone fractures, and kidney stones. The<unk>  reduces levels of insulin-like growth factor 1, which is important for childhood growth. Like many anticonvulsant drugs, the<unk>  has an adverse effect on bone health. Many factors may be involved such as acidosis and suppressed growth hormone. About one in 20 children on the<unk>  develop kidney stones (compared with one in several thousand for the general population). A class of anticonvulsants known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (topiramate, zonisamide) are known to increase the risk of kidney stones, but the combination of these anticonvulsants and the<unk>  does not appear to elevate the risk above that of the<unk>  alone. The stones are treatable and do not justify discontinuation of the<unk> . Around half of clinics gives oral potassium citrate supplements empirically to all<unk>  patients, with some evidence that this reduces the incidence of stone formation. However, has not been tested in a prospective controlled trial. Kidney stone formation (nephrolithiasis) is associated with the<unk>  for four reasons: * Excess calcium in the urine (hypercalciuria) occurs due to increased bone demineralisation with acidosis. Bones are mainly composed of calcium phosphate. The phosphate reacts with the acid, and the calcium is excreted by the kidneys. * Hypocitraturia: the urine has an abnormally low concentration of citrate, which normally helps to dissolve free calcium. * The urine has a low pH, which stops uric acid from dissolving, leading to crystals that act as a nidus for calcium stone formation. * Many institutions traditionally restricted the water intake of patients on the<unk>  to 80% of normal daily needs; this practice is no longer encouraged. In adolescent and adults, common side effects reported include weight loss, constipation, dyslipidemia, and in women, dysmenorrhea.
Ketogenic diet
Low-FODMAP diet
Intermittent fasting
Elemental diet
Low-carbohydrate diet
Elimination diet
Specific carbohydrate diet
Rosedale diet